The Elements of the Diverticular Disease Diet

It is a general fact that people begin to suffer from greater worries as the years pass by. Responsibilities and stress may be responsible for adding to their concerns, but it is also true that people tend to worry a lot about health issues as they experience aging. The probability of suffering from various health conditions increases as we go on adding number of years to our age. Turning 40 may not affect us "psychologically", but it can definitely send out a warning signal to indicate that we are gradually heading for the "Danger Zone". Similar trend is being observed in the case of Diverticular Disease, a condition, the probability of incidence of which tends to increase after 40 years of age.

What is Diverticular Disease?

Diverticular disease is a common disease that affects colon. It is made up of two conditions: diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Diverticulosis occurs when pockets or pouches, called diverticula, form in the colon and bulge out. When these pouches become inflamed, diverticulitis occurs. It can prove to be dangerous, if left untreated and may cause bleeding, blockages and infection.

Symptoms of Diverticular Disease

The symptoms include:

• Abdominal pain usually on the lower left hand side. The pain may appear after eating.
• Bloating, flatulence, constipation or diarrhea
• Colon muscle cramps
• Fever
• Nausea and vomiting
• Frequent need to urinate and sometimes a feeling of pain during urination
• Changes in bowel habit.

The Diverticular Disease Diet

Just like any other health conditions, Diverticular Disease will also require you to modify your diet to suit your individual condition. Since this condition is related to colon, an organ deployed for waste removal, so it is expected that the diet designed for it will definitely involve modifications in the fiber content. Here are the basic features of a typical Diverticular Disease Diet:

1. In severe cases, liquid diet is generally recommended. It mainly comprises of water, fruit juices and broths.
2. Gradually liquid diet is changed into low fiber or low residue diet before introducing high fiber foods. Low fiber diet will help to decrease the bowel volume, thereby allowing some scope for the infection to get healed. An intake of less than 10 grams of fiber per day is recommended in a low residue Diverticular Disease diet. The low fiber diet includes foods like:
   • Refined white bread, buns and muffins
   • Arrowroot cookies and tea biscuits
   • White rice, refined pasta and noodles
   • Fruit juices
   • Applesauce, apricots, bananas, grapes, peaches and watermelon
   • Vegetable soups
   • Potatoes without skin
   • Carrots, celery, cucumber, eggplant, lettuce, mushroom, green/red peppers (avoid vegetables from cruciferous family like cauliflower, cabbage and broccoli)
   • Well cooked tender meat, fish and eggs.
   This is the stage during which the intake of beans and lentils, nuts and seeds, raw and dried fruits and berries should be avoided.
3. When the symptoms of the disease show some signs of improvement, more fiber can be added to the diet. A high fiber diet is very important to prevent future attacks of this disease. A good diet should contain approximately 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. A high fiber diet should include:
   • Whole grain products
   • Beans
   • Fresh fruits and vegetables
   • Dairy products

The Points That Need to be Noted

• It's always good to start slowly over 2 to 4 weeks to allow the intestinal tract to adjust. Otherwise, cramps, bloating, gas, diarrhea or constipation may cause enough trouble.
• A wide variety of plant foods should be preferred over meat products.
• The foods, the fiber content of which is not depleted by processing, should be chosen.
• Food labels need to be read properly so as to note down the amount of fiber consumption.
• Proper diet needs to be supplemented with adequate amounts of water and other fluids throughout the day to prevent constipation.

A Few Facts

• This disease becomes more common in people as they grow old.
• A low fiber diet is mostly the cause of the disease.
• The treatment generally includes high fiber diet and pain medications.
• A doctor needs to be consulted if symptoms such as fever, chills, nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rectal bleeding or change in bowel habits are noticed.

Your age will only move in the forward direction and it is irreversible. You cannot make the clock to move in the opposite direction. But you can adjust your own conditions to suit yourself better with the time and to congratulate yourself for being "wise" and "experienced". Stay healthy and celebrate aging!