Liquid Diet Cures for Diverticulitis

Diverticulitis is the swelling and infection of pouches, or diverticula, that develop abnormally in the intestinal wall. Diverticulitis is a complication of diverticulosis, a condition of multiple diverticula in the intestines that is likely caused by a low-fiber diet that increases stress on the colon. The condition can be improved by adding extra fiber to a diet. When diverticulitis occurs, however, bowel rest and antibiotics often are required.

Liquid Diet for Diverticulitis

The infections and irritations of diverticulitis require defined treatments to prevent additional complications such as ruptures in the intestinal wall, severe bleeding or painful rips in the diverticula. Although antibiotics and pain-relieving medicines are prescribed for the infection and swelling, bowel rest is crucial for improvement.

The most common method of resting the bowel is removal of all solid food by implementing a liquid diet for two to three days until the tissue begins to heal. Unlike a full liquid diet, which includes pureed or melted versions of solid foods, the liquid diet for diverticulitis is a clear liquid diet, which does not allow any version of solid food; this allows the intestine to rest. Because a clear liquid diet does not provide adequate nutrition, this diet should be done only under a doctor's advisement and is often accompanied by bed rest. After a few days, most people with diverticulitis are able to introduce low-fiber foods to increase nutrition, then introduce high-fiber foods to keep strain off the intestines and resume a healthy diet.

People who experience severe infection or other complications may require hospitalization, intravenous fluids, and nothing by mouth (even clear fluids) until the colon begins to heal. If hospitalization occurs and intravenous or clear liquid fluids by mouth are required for more than a few days, a doctor may prescribe an intravenous or liquid multivitamin to ensure adequate nutrition is maintained.