Apples are generally good for preventing diverticulitis due to their fiber, but during an active flare-up, high-fiber foods like apples (especially with skin) might aggravate symptoms like gas, bloating, or pain, so some suggest avoiding them temporarily for easier digestion, while others might tolerate peeled or cooked apples. It depends on the individual and the stage of the condition, with some sources listing apples as high-FODMAP (potentially problematic) while also highlighting their fiber benefits for prevention.
Foods to Prevent Diverticulitis
Whole grains, such as 100% whole wheat bread, quinoa, bran cereal, and popcorn. Beans and other legumes. Vegetables, especially spinach and other greens, broccoli, and carrots. Fruit, especially berries, apples and pears (leave the skin on), and oranges.
Best Foods for Diverticulitis
Signs that diverticulitis has become more serious include severe abdominal pain, chills, shaking rigors, weakness, headaches and dizziness. If you feel any of these symptoms, contact your doctor or call 911, as it may be a medical emergency.
Honestly, recovering from diverticulitis might take up to two weeks. In the initial days of recuperating from straightforward diverticulitis in the comfort of your home, you'll be on a liquid diet, taking it easy, and using the prescribed medications for pain relief.
When diverticulitis leads to sepsis, look out for these specific symptoms:
Straining to pass stools increases the pressure in the colon or intestines, which may lead to the formation of these pouches. In some cases, one of the pouches can become inflamed and a small tear develops in the lining of the intestine. This can lead to an infection at the site.
For managing mild diverticulitis pain or symptoms at home, your healthcare professional may recommend eating only clear foods and clear liquids for a few days. Examples of clear liquids that you can have include: Chicken, beef or vegetable broth. Fruit juices without pulp, such as apple, cranberry and grape juices.
Avoid High FODMAP Foods in a Diverticulitis Diet
Clear liquids and low-fiber foods are the best options for relieving diverticulitis symptoms. Dairy products and other protein-rich foods can help with healing and your recovery during diverticulitis flares. It's a good idea to add more fiber to your diet after you've recovered from a diverticulitis flare.
Regular apple intake is linked to lower colon cancer risk and better liver health in studies. Apples are rich in pectin fiber. Pectin feeds beneficial gut microbes -> less inflammation. Eat apples with the peel (wash with water + baking soda).
While your diverticulitis is effectively treated, it's not technically cured because the sacs remain. As long as you still have diverticula, they can get infected again.
BRAT is an acronym for the foods traditionally “allowed” on this diet- Bananas, Rice, Apples, and Toast. The BRAT Diet was developed to include foods that are bland enough to not further disrupt a Diverticulitis flare or exacerbate present symptoms.
CONCLUSIONS: Treatment of uncomplicated acute diverticulitis without antibiotics is associated with a significantly shorter hospital stay.
Stage I: Diverticulitis with phlegmon or localized pericolic or mesenteric abscess. This means there are inflammatory masses or abscesses in the fat surrounding the colon or the folds of the small intestine. Stage II: Diverticulitis with walled-off pelvic, intra-abdominal, or retroperitoneal abscess.
Inflammation (Diverticulitis):
In people over the age of 50, acute diverticulitis happens more frequently in females. In those under 50 years of age, it occurs more commonly in males. The current theory is that the inflammation and/or infection occurs because of an overgrowth of bacteria in the diverticula.
If a hole (perforation) develops in the diverticulum, fluid and bacteria can leak into the abdomen and cause a very serious condition called peritonitis. A diverticulum can bleed into the intestine. Bleeding is painless but can be heavy and result in blood passing out through the rectum (see Gastrointestinal Bleeding).
One large retrospective cohort study reported a 25% increased risk for acute coronary syndrome in patients with a history of diverticulitis.