Diverticular disease: Consequence of Constipation
Diverticular disease or diverticulosis is described as the presence of diverticula in the colon wall due to increased intraluminal pressure, usually secondary to decreased dietary fiber. This increase in intraluminal pressure produced the drive of the mucosa through the colonic muscle layers in its weak points, which correspond to points where they penetrate the neurovascular bundles.
Most people over age of 50 years old suffers from diverticulosis but fortunately a minority of these have symptoms of diverticula. The two main risks are clogging the communication between the diverticulum and colon with what may develop diverticulitis, an inflammation of tissue surrounding the diverticulum and has become the risk of peritonitis. The other complication is that the vessels that pass through the diverticula can break and have a hemorrhage, so the persistence of abdominal pain especially if accompanied by fever and the presence of gastrointestinal bleeding the patient must consult quickly a physician.
Diverticulosis diet is basically a diet high in fiber. A normal diet should also be high in fiber. However, the usual diet contains less fiber than is considered healthy. The goal of a diverticulosis diet is to increase the amount of fiber in your diet. The average diet contains only 12 to 15 grams (g) of fiber a day. It recommends a total of 20 to 35 grams of fiber in the diet.
You should gradually increase the fiber in your diet. Increasing it too quickly can cause gas and diarrhea.
The increase in fiber should help the passage of digested food through your gut. Allow more normal bowel movements and reduce abdominal pain. In addition to increasing fiber in your diet, you should avoid eating foods that may clog the openings of the diverticula, such as popcorn, raisins, whole grain corn and peanuts.
