What are diverticula?
As humans age, they often develop increased pressure in the colon. This pressure is often caused by increasing bouts of constipation. As pressure is applied to the colon, over time, small pockets or pockets of tissue develop out of the colon wall. These sacs are called diverticula. The singular is diverticulum.
Diverticula most often occur in the lower 1/3 of the colon, in the area known as the sigmoid colon.
There is no known specific biological purpose for diverticula. They are simply an abnormality that occurs with age and increased colonic pressure. The biological reason for the development of diverticula is simply the weakening of the colon as the person ages.
The development of diverticula in the colon is known as “diverticulosis.” When they become inflamed, the condition is called “diverticulitis.”
What causes diverticula to become inflamed?
When small particles of difficult to digest food get trapped in the diverticula, they tend to rub against the walls of the colon and develop a very small lesion or ulcer. This small ulcer becomes inflamed and can often react unfavorably to bacteria, which are very abundant in this area.
Once the bacteria enters the scene, the diverticula become very inflamed, swollen, and painful. When inflammation occurs, the next step is rupture. If a diverticulum ruptures, the result can be peritonitis, or an infection inside the intestine, causing severe abdominal pain and tenderness, vomiting, fever, and diarrhea, as well as other serious symptoms.
The final result of this diverticulitis is usually a serious surgical intervention. This surgery, called “colon resection,” is the actual “cutting” of the affected diverticula. Once this surgery is done, it is critical that the patient avoid further episodes, as the next step is usually the application of a colostomy, or the removal of a large part of the colon and the production of an abdominal “stoma” or orifice. in the intestine. from where the defecation occurs.
The most effective and widely used preventative treatment for diverticulitis is the diverticulitis diet.
What is a diet for diverticulitis?
A diet for diverticulitis is simply one that seeks to accomplish two tasks:
1) Avoid the subsequent introduction of foods that have small and difficult-to-digest particles, such as fibrous fruits or vegetables.
2) It decreases the pressure on the intestine and allows the colon to rest as much as possible.
What are the most common diets for diverticulitis?
The most common diet used during acute episodes of the condition is what is known as a “low residue” diet. With this type of diet, fiber is reduced as much as possible because fiber particles can enter the diverticula and cause additional inflammation. The elimination of fiber allows the intestine to flow and rest. Rest because the fiber makes the intestine move. Without a lot of fiber, the colon tends to have less peristaltic action, which is the waving motion that moves stool through the colon. Unfortunately, the lack of peristaltic action often leads to constipation, so special types of laxatives, called osmotic laxatives, must be used. Most laxatives are bulk laxatives and use fibrous products to get the bowel moving.
Osmotic laxatives, on the other hand, work by drawing large amounts of fluid into the colon. When this occurs, the accumulation of all this fluid in the intestine leads to the evacuation of the intestinal contents.
With a “low residue” diet, certain fruits and vegetables are allowed because their structure is such that conditions are very low in fiber. Some allowed vegetables include carrots, green beans, yellow beans, lettuce, cucumber, cabbage, and cauliflower. Also baked potatoes without skin can be eaten effectively.
Some allowed fruits can be banana, melon, grape, peach and watermelon.
Corn, prunes, cherries, lima beans, kidney beans, or nuts of any kind are strictly prohibited, as are items such as popcorn.
A “low residue” diet is not easy to prepare or to tolerate at all times. However, it is necessary to avoid an exacerbation of diverticulitis. It is also the most common diet for the treatment of diverticulitis.
Another diet that is finding more popularity is the “food combining” diet. This diet should be used after the symptoms have dissipated and the intestine is almost normal; however, it can also be used to relieve symptoms if followed very strictly.
The “food combination” diet allows a person to eat almost any food they like to eat. The difference is that these foods must be eaten in very specific combinations.
Here’s how this works in the gut:
The stomach and intestines can digest “almost” any type of food as long as it has the right pH to do so. When the pH is balanced as it should be, the proper enzymes, acids, alkalis, and digestive juices are introduced at the proper times. Therefore, the efficiency of the digestive system is maximum and most of the food can be digested.
There are still some foods that just don’t break down well in any human digestive system, so those particular foods are avoided at all costs.
The whole secret is determining which particular foods work best when properly combined. This is not difficult. It just requires a proper information table. Once a person understands how these food combinations work and uses this diet, he often finds that the symptoms of diverticulitis can be avoided as long as he sticks to the diet.
They also discover that they can eat most of the foods they love as long as they stick to a certain combination of food mixes.
Both diets are found to be highly effective if the patient follows them and continues to comply with the rules and requirements.
A proper diverticulitis diet can make the difference between a truly horrible digestive experience or a near-normal epicurean life.
