Preventing diverticulitis attacks

Diverticular attacks are a painful intestinal condition widely believed to be "lifestyle-related"— the unhappy result of too little fibre in your diet. Most cases can be treated with medication and rest, and future flare-ups prevented by making healthier lifestyle choices.

1. Rest: For a milder case, once you have your medications in hand, the best thing you can do for yourself is climb into bed and rest until you're feeling better.
2. Watch your diet: During this time, you should watch your diet. Initially, you'll need to stay on liquids and soft foods. In a few days, your doctor will probably start you on a low-fibre diet. After about a month, you're likely to get the go-ahead to begin introducing high-fibre foods, as well as to start exercising.
3. Drink water: Your doctor will probably want you to drink plenty of water throughout your recovery as well.

If you have diverticulosis, or you've recovered from a bout of diverticulitis, a trouble-free digestive tract should be a top priority. There’s plenty you can do to keep your colon healthy.

1. Increase your fibre: Most specialists recommend 20 to 35 grams of fibre daily. Replace white rice and breads with bran cereal, oatmeal, whole-grain breads and brown rice. And put cooked dried beans or peas on the menu once a week. If you're not used to a high-fibre diet, add these gradually to avoid painful gas.
2. Eat your vegetables and fruits: They're fibre-rich too. A good start is five daily servings of fruits and vegetables, either cooked or raw, and unpeeled when possible.
3. Go when you need to: When you feel the urge to move your bowels, head for the bathroom right away rather than waiting.
4. Drink lots of fluids: Drink at least eight glasses a day of water, juices and soups. This helps move the added fibre through your digestive system.
5. Get regular exercise: Three to five times a week go for a brisk walk, ride your bike, jog, swim or dance around the house.
6. Use a bulk-forming laxative: For occasional constipation. Good choices are products containing psyllium (Metamucil). Lastly, don't forget dried fruits like prunes, figs, raisins and dates. They're natural laxatives and an excellent source of fibre.
7. Diverticulitis is virtually unknown in the less developed countries of Africa and Asia: That’s because the diet in these countries is vegetable-based and high in fibre. Interestingly, when inhabitants of these nations immigrate to Canada and start eating the way many North Americans do (lots of meat and pro­cessed high-fat foods), they tend to start developing diverticulitis.