C Difficile Colitis & Diet

A healthy person has flora---otherwise known as "good" bacteria---living in her digestive system, helping her body use food for fuel, eliminating wastes and keeping her immune system strong. However, there also are harmful bacteria, such as Clostridium difficile (C. difficile or C. diff for short), which can multiply in the bowel or intestines. This particular bacteria spore, which originates in soil, is the culprit behind pseudomembranous colitis--a C. difficile infection--of the large intestine.

Taking antibiotics can destroy the normal flora in the digestive system and cause a C. difficile infection flare-up. Other factors that can cause pseudomembranous colitis include chemotherapy, recent surgery and a previous history of colitis.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of pseudomembranous colitis are inflammation and irritation of the colon and sudden attacks of foul-smelling runny diarrhea. Other signs and symptoms include cramping and pain and tenderness in the lower abdomen before the onset of diarrhea, fever and blood/pus/mucus in the stool. If there is blood loss, it can result in low blood pressure or shock.

Beverages and Frequency

The first advice for any diet is to drink lots of water. Apple juice and tea are a colon's friend. Caffeinated beverages, acidic fruit juices and alcoholic beverages do not help an inflamed colon, but do make the symptoms worse. Instead of eating three large meals a day, cut the size of the meals in half and multiply your meals from three to six a day.

What To Avoid

Most people afflicted with any kind of colitis are advised to stick to a diet free from sugar, sugar products, simple carbohydrates and high LDL products. Dairy products tend to aggravate an inflamed colon. People with pseudomembranous colitis should avoid dairy products and foods with husks.

What To Eat & Not Eat

Whole-kernel corn is not recommended. Since it is not digested well by a normal colon, it is obviously not good for a person with colitis. Brown rice can aggravate the lining of the colon and should be omitted from your diet. White rice and bananas, foods similar to what babies eat, are mainstays of the diet for someone with pseudomembranous colitis.

Fish & Ground Grains

Fish, and fish oils in Omega-3 fatty acid capsule form, are easy on the intestines and help them to repair themselves. Oils found in nuts and seeds are highly recommended, but the whole seeds themselves should be avoided. Ground meals containing seeds and nuts are okay for a colitis diet. Ground grains are also easier to digest and pass through the colon.

Probiotics & Electrolytes

Doctors also encourage patients to drink or take probiotic yogurt and acidophilus drinks and capsules. These supplements replenish the lost normal flora that is supposed to be in the intestines, balancing the digestive system and fighting off systemic irregularities. People dehydrated as a result of diarrhea from the infection also need to drink electrolyte-enhanced beverages, such as Smartwater or Gatorade.