- With Mayo Clinic gastroenterologist
Michael F. Picco, M.D.
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Michael F. Picco, M.D.
Michael F. Picco, M.D.
Dr. Michael Picco has been with Mayo Clinic since 1999. He is board certified in internal medicine and gastroenterology. Dr. Picco is an assistant professor of medicine at College of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, and a consultant in gastroenterology at Mayo Clinic in Florida.
He has authored numerous publications in the area of gastroenterology, including original research, editorials and textbook chapters. He works with a team of gastroenterologists that takes care of complex gastrointestinal conditions and has a particular interest in diarrheal illnesses and inflammatory bowel diseases (ulcerative colitis and Crohn's disease). He is also active in medical education in training new gastroenterologist and internists.
"Mayo Clinic's website is an invaluable resource for patients and their families," Dr. Picco said. "Informed patients are better able to participate in their own health care. A patient's participation is vital to the treatment of his or her disease. I hope to assist in helping patients understand their digestive problems and current treatments that are offered. This will allow for better communication between patients, their physicians and other health care professionals."
Dr. Picco serves as a reviewer of new research for several medical journals in the area of gastroenterology and is an active member of the American Gastroenterological Association, American College of Gastroenterology and the Crohn's & Colitis Foundation of America. He serves on numerous committees that address physician training, research and clinical practice in gastroenterology, both at Mayo Clinic and at the national level.
"Patients need to know about their disease, what to expect, the latest treatments and side effects so that they can make informed decisions about their health care. Gastrointestinal disease affects not only patients but also their families. My goal is to assure that our website provides accurate, reliable information and resources for patients. We must always provide the latest, most cutting-edge information to assist patients in dealing with their medical problems," Dr. Picco said.
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Question
Diverticulitis diet: Can certain foods trigger an attack?
I want to follow a diverticulitis diet to prevent diverticulitis attacks. What foods are most likely to trigger a diverticulitis attack?
Answer
from Michael F. Picco, M.D.
Actually, no specific foods are known to trigger a diverticulitis attack. And there's no diverticulitis diet that's been proven to prevent attacks.
Still, following a so-called diverticulitis diet remains a popular, if unproven, way to try to prevent or treat diverticulitis attacks. Nuts, seeds and popcorn were once discouraged under a diverticulitis diet because they were said to trigger diverticulitis attacks. But research shows that seeds and popcorn don't increase the risk of diverticulitis or diverticular bleeding, so it's OK to eat them even if you have diverticulosis.
If you're trying to prevent diverticulitis attacks, focus less on a so-called diverticulitis diet and more on an overall healthy diet that's high in fiber. High-fiber foods, such as fruits, vegetables and whole grains, soften waste and help it pass more quickly through your colon. This reduces pressure within your digestive tract, which can reduce the risk of diverticulitis attacks.
If you think that you're having a diverticulitis attack, talk to your doctor. Your doctor will likely prescribe treatment and suggest that you follow a clear-liquid diet for two or three days, and then gradually add in low-fiber foods. This kind of diverticulitis diet helps your digestive tract rest and heal during treatment.
Next questionDiverticulitis diet: Should I avoid nuts and seeds?
- Strate LL, et al. Nut, corn, and popcorn consumption and the incidence of diverticular disease. Journal of the American Medical Association. 2008;300:907.
- Diverticulosis and diverticulitis. National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/diverticulosis/diverticulosis.pdf. Accessed Aug. 13, 2010.
- Young-Fadok T, et al. Epidemiology and pathophysiology of colonic diverticular disease. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2010.
- Young-Fadok T, et al. Treatment of acute diverticulitis. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Aug. 13, 2010.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Aug. 22, 2010.
- Anderson CA (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Jacksonville, Fla. Aug. 17, 2010.
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