Diverticulosis or diverticulosis is a disease that affects the large intestine, especially the sigmoid colon near the anus, being the most common place for increased pressure. The disease appears in the form of bulges or protrusions in the mucous membrane of the colon and the submucosal layer, specifically in the weak points of the muscle layers in the colon wal
When and how?
The incidence of this disease increases after people reach the age of forty, and the infection may develop into diverticulitis when intestinal bacteria attack the hollow bulges, and take from them a colony that activates inside them, or when the wastes in the large intestine enter the hollow bulges, then specific symptoms appear on the patient such as the occurrence of Diarrhea or constipation, fever, flatulence, nausea and vomiting, and stomach pain or cramps. In some cases, the disease is accompanied by bloody bleeding that appears in the patient’s stool.
What is the role of food?
Specialists indicate that the main cause of diverticulosis or diverticulitis may be a lack of dietary fiber from meals, and evidence of this is the rare prevalence of the disease in the population of Africa and Asia, as the fiber content in their daily meals is hig
What are the nutritional advice when sick?
Doctors advise when sick (especially in severe cases and inflammation) to follow a diet based on liquids such as: broth, fruit juices, water and ice cream.
As the situation improves, we can gradually return to natural meals, starting with foods that are low in fiber, such as dairy products, eggs, fish, poultry, meat, and white bread, and then move on to foods that have a high fiber content.
The doctor may advise taking dietary supplements containing fiber such as (psyllium) or methylcellulose from one to three times a day, of course, in addition to drinking sufficient amounts of water and fluids to avoid constipatio
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The US National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) believes that there is no scientific data to prove the hypothesis that foods such as nuts, popcorn, sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, and cumin seeds, are harmful to people with diverticulosis as was common in the past. It contains fiber, which patients with diverticulosis can eat daily.
What nutritional advice to prevent disease?
It is recommended to eat foods that contain a high percentage of fiber in order to prevent infection; The American Dietetic Association recommends eating between (20-35) grams per day.
List of foods rich in fiber:
1- Wheat bran has been proven to reduce pressure inside the colon, so bread containing wheat bran is better than bread without it.
2- Fruits of all kinds.
3- Vegetables such as spinach, peas, potatoes and zucchini.
4- Beans, red and black beans.