From the mouth to the anus, our digestive tract is an intricate network of hollow organs that are essential to our survival. Our bodies absorb nutrients from the food we eat through the digestive process, which begins in the mouth and continues through the esophagus, stomach, small intestines, and large intestines. These nutrients are needed for development, cell repair, and energy production. Organs such as the pancreas, gall bladder, liver, etc., provide external support to the digestive tract. In diverticulitis, inflammation or infection of tiny sacs in the digestive tract known as diverticula causes symptoms like pain and distention. The bottom portion of the colon is where these sacs are formed. They originate at pressure points in the gut’s outer lining that are prone to buckling.
Issues with Diverticula, Diverticulum, and Diverticulitis:
The anus marks the conclusion of the digestive system, which continues into the large intestines, generally known as the colon. About 150 centimeters is its length. The production of stools and the reabsorption of minerals and water are its primary functions. Additionally, our bodies rely on the billions of bacteria that call this area home. A diverticulum is a sac that can occasionally develop in the colon wall and protrude outside of the body. More than one is known as diverticula, and diverticulitis describes an inflamed or diseased one. In most cases, they manifest on the left colon due to elevated pressure and can remain asymptomatic for the rest of a person’s life. Obesity, low-fiber diets heavy in fat, and sedentary lifestyles are all risk factors for diverticula. Diverticulitis ranges from a mild inflammation to a more severe condition that may necessitate hospitalization or surgical intervention. Sometimes, diverticulitis can cause a variety of symptoms, including stomach pain, fever, nausea, constipation, and diarrhea.Healthy Eating for Doctors
Medical treatment:
A low-fiber diet lowers the chance of diverticulitis, which is better than a cure-all approach. It facilitates easy passing by easing the stool.
- A diet high in soluble and insoluble fiber.
- Vegetables, both fresh and in season, should make up half of your plate at all times.
- There is a lot of fiber in carrots, green leaves, and cauliflower. The fiber content of your daily diet can be enhanced by including whole grains such as wheat, bajra, corn, buckwheat, ragi, and barley.
- Whole grains should be a part of at least half of your daily meals. You can also get a lot of fiber from whole lentils and beans, such as rajma, chana, lobia, whole moong, and sprouted pulses.
- Instead of drinking fruit juice, try eating two or three full fruits, such as an orange, guava, apple (with the skin on), or pomegranate (with the seeds on). Supplementing with fiber, such as physillium husk, at least three times weekly can help those who suffer from constipation.
Fluid Intake for Diverticulitis
Fluids are just as important as fiber; hard stools might occur if the quantity of water consumed is insufficient to meet the fibers’ absorption rate.
- Drink plenty of water to maintain loose stools. T
- he ideal fluid is water, but you can also get your fill with fresh vegetable soups, juices, water with lemon or coconut, green tea, and more.
- A person should drink 35 milliliters of water for every kilogram of body weight each day.
Probiotics in Diverticulitis
In cases of diverticulosis, probiotics can be helpful. According to studies, the slow movement of feces may have an effect on the colon’s flora, leading to inflammation due to the gut bacteria’s protective mechanisms.
- Some people find that eating a combination of probiotic and prebiotic foods improves their health. The ideal prebiotic for our digestive tract is fiber since it provides a substrate for beneficial bacteria to multiply.
- There are a lot of probiotics in fermented foods.
- Yogurt and dahi are two of the greatest places to get probiotics. In addition to this, you can incorporate fermented idli, dosa batter, and khamiri roti into your diet.
Also Read: Colon Cancer Diet: Recommended Foods and Avoidances
Exercise in Diverticulitis
Consistent daily exercise lowers intracolonic pressure and keeps constipation at bay. A risk factor for diverticulitis, obesity, can be better managed with exercise.
The intensity and progression of diverticulitis treatment determine the best course of medical nutrition therapy.
Food During Severe Symptoms of Diverticulitis
- Clear soups, green tea, fresh coconut water, and other residue-free drinks may be necessary if symptoms are severe.
- The next step is to switch to a liquid diet, which may include chaas, tea, watered-down milk, and even nutritional supplements.
- After this, a low-residue soft diet is introduced.
- Your clinical nutritionist will work with you to gradually increase the amount of soft dals (such as arhar, moong, masur, khichdi, along with vegetables like ghiya, tori, and carrots until you are able to eat normally again, taking into account your therapy, symptoms, and tolerance for dietary changes.
Conclusion
Even though diverticulitis isn’t as common in India as in the Western world we need to take precautions because everyone is shifting away from traditional lifestyles and towards processed meals that are heavy in fat and poor in fiber. In case you are having symptoms of diverticulitis or have been diagnosed with diverticulitis get a consultation with Dr Avadh Patel for diverticular disease treatment in Ahmedabad.