After having an attack from diverticuitis.....the first question is: What should/shouldn't I eat to prevent another attack. I've ready so much and there are a variety of answers. One person says to avoid seeds and nuts while another will say it's ok to eat them.

The more I read about diverticulosis and diverticulitis, the more I realize, we know are bodies better than anyone. I think it's up to us to decide what works and what doesn't.

Keeping a food journal will help you keep track of your food choices. You need to make sure you writing down when something doesn't agree with you.

My mom eats nuts and seeds and hasn't had a problem since her diagnosis. That one week stay in the hospital was enough for her. She eats more often and smaller amounts is the biggest change I've noticed.

The answer to what we should and shouldn't eat is defined by listening to our bodies. Eating high fiber food is good on any type diet...not just this disease.

Listen to your body and keep your pencil and paper handy. Journalize your food intake. It is a good source for you in deciding what you can and can't eat.

Diverticula is the plural for diverticulum. It is a small pouch that protrudes from a weak spot usually in your large intestines (colon). They usually develop near the section of the colon that leads to the rectum where the feces become more solid. This is area is located on the left side of the abdomen.

Diverticula is quite common and as we get older the likelihood of developing this increases. Average Time Line For Developing The Condition:
1. 1 in 20 people in their 40's
2. 1 in 3 people in their 60's
3. 1 in 2 people in their 80's
Men and women are equally affected.

To keep from developing this condition or preventing it from getting worse, a person should eat lots of high fiber foods. Drink plenty of fluids. (8-10 cups of water per day).

Of course, always consult your doctor and follow his recommendations.

These "Golden Years", they keep us busy trying to stay healthy enough to enjoy them.

While my husband and I were gone for a week, my sister flew in to be with my mom. She was here for a few days before and after our trip. She is so so thin. She eats like a bird. She got false teeth about a year ago and they don't fit properly. She says that is part of the reason she just doesn't eat. The stuff she uses to keep them in place dries out her mouth and that also makes it hard for her to eat.

She only goes to the bathroom about every 10 days. She has such a hard time and she is in so much pain for a few days before she goes. I'm afraid she has the signs of having diverticulitis. She is 54 years old so is definetly a likely candidate.

I tried talking with her about the disease and it's symptoms but it fell on deaf ears. All I can do is keep talking to her and hope she'll listen before she ends up in the hospital.

She just doesn't realize diverticulitis can be very serious. I'm two years older, so like older sisters do, I'll keep harping on her until she listens.