Diverticulosis/diverticulitis Archive

More than half of US adults over 60 have diverticulosis, a condition where part of the wall of the colon bulges outward and forms tiny pouches. Diverticulosis does not cause symptoms, but if a pouch becomes inflamed or infected it becomes diverticulitis, which can be mild or more serious.

During a diverticulitis flare-up, it’s important to stay nourished and hydrated. Start with clear liquids, then progress to low-fiber soft foods before gradually reintroducing high-fiber foods. For long-term prevention, focus on a high-fiber diet and regular exercise.

Longtime guidance about skipping nuts, seeds, and popcorn after diverticulitis is being challenged. Learn what newer research suggests about your diet.

People who have diverticular disease have tiny pouches (diverticula) in the lining of the colon that can bleed or perforate and develop infection (called diverticulitis). People with diverticular disease should eat a healthy diet rich in fiber, drink lots of water, exercise regularly, maintain a healthy weight, not smoke, avoid straining in the bathroom, and report bleeding or pain to a doctor. However, it's not necessary to avoid eating nuts, seeds, or popcorn, which were once believed to lodge in diverticula and cause problems. That old advice turned out to be wrong.