Diverticulosis Foods And Diet Protocol
Though diverticulosis may sound serious, it seldom is. This disorder of the large bowel occurs when small pouches, usually about the size of a pea, form in the intestinal wall. According to the National Institutes of Health, one in ten people over 40 and half those over 60 have diverticulosis. The condition occurs most frequently in industrialized societies, where fiber intake tends to be low.
But though the condition is common, most people who have it experience no symptoms and thus never know. Diverticulosis is associated, however, with irritable bowel syndrome, which may cause such symptoms as gas, bloating, and diarrhea. And if your diverticulosis turns into diverticulitis, you will definitely have symptoms. This happens when one or more of the pouches become infected from bacteria in the digestive tract, usually because a particle of undigested food gets trapped in the pouch.
A mild infection can produce bloating, gas, and nausea-symptoms for which most people don't immediately see a doctor, especially if they improve. (Pain is usually on the left side of the abdomen, unlike appendicitis, which affects the right side.) But sometimes symptoms--abdominal pain and/or rectal bleeding--are severe and shouldn't be ignored. They can be signs of complications. An abscess may develop and the intestinal wall may become perforated, causing surrounding tissues in the abdominal cavity to become infected. These cases, fortunately rare, can be life-threatening and call for immediate hospitalization and, possibly, surgery.
Perhaps because fiber is sometimes called "roughage," the idea used to be common that a high-fiber diet--fruits, grains, and vegetables--was somehow rough on the bowels and that a person with symptoms of diverticulitis should immediately go on a low-fiber or even liquid diverticulosis foods. It's now thought that this is about the worst thing you can do. Indeed such a diet can even cause the large intestine to go into spasm. Fiber, on the other hand, provides bulk in the intestine, which enables food and waste to pass more easily and efficiently. Waste moves rapidly along--an advantage for the internal economy. Of course, if you have an acute case of diverticulitis requiring hospitalization, you may have to follow a liquid diet and take antibiotics until your colon has begun to heal. Soon after, though, you will be advised to increase your fiber intake. Eat a lot of fruits, whole grains, and vegetables to boost your fiber intake. (If you aren't used to a high-fiber diet, start gradually.) Choose whole-wheat bread over white, brown rice over white. Add a little bran to baked goods. Eat whole-grain cereals for breakfast. Eat fruits and vegetables unpeeled when you can. Raw produce is good, but cooking does not destroy fiber. Drink plenty of fluids--at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids daily, including juices and soups. Fruits and vegetables also contain a high percentage of water, which is another plus. Get regular exercise. There's some evidence that active people are less prone to diverticulitis and that exercise may help prevent constipation. If you're occasionally constipated, try eating a few prunes. These can really help. They not only are a good source of fiber, but also contain a natural laxative. Don't rely on stimulant laxatives.
|
