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Diverticular disease of the colon
Mr Dhiren Nehra MPhil, FRCS
Consultant Surgeon, St Anthony's Hospital
For appointments 0208 337 6691, 01372 221 441, 0208 335 4501
Email:
website: www.mrdnehrafrcs.com
A diverticulum is an outpouching of the colon wall, most frequently in the sigmoid but can occur in the whole colon. Low fibre content of the diet contributes to segmentation of the bowel generating high pressure resulting in protrusion of mucosa. The incidence of diverticular disease is as high as 60% in patients over the age of 70 years. A third have symptoms of pain mainly in the lower left side of abdomen.
Serious complication such as inflammation, perforation or bleeding may require hospitalisation.
Diagnosis is confirmed with a barium x-ray or a colonoscopy examination. The treatment of diverticular disease is essentially conservative and a high fibre diet (25-30gm/day) is recommended to prevent further progression.
Surgery which involves removal of the affected bowel is indicated for those who suffer from incessant pain of recurring inflammation and for complications. This can be carried out laparoscopically.
| Daily recommended fibre 25-30gm | |||
| Fruits | Starchy Vegetables | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple, raw, with skin | 1 medium = 3.3 grams | Baked beans, canned, plain | 1/2 cup = 6.3 grams |
| Peach, raw | 1 medium = 1.5 grams | Kidney beans, fresh, cooked | 1/2 cup = 5.7 grams |
| Pear, raw | 1 medium = 5.1 grams | Potato, fresh, cooked | 1 = 2.3 grams |
| Tangerine, raw | 1 medium = 1.9 grams | ||
| Vegetables | Grains | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Asparagus, fresh, cooked | 4 spears = 1.2 grams | Bread, whole-wheat | 1 slice = 1.9 grams |
| Broccoli, fresh, cooked | 1/2 cup = 2.6 grams | Brown rice, cooked | 1 cup = 3.5 grams |
| Brussels sprouts, fresh, cooked | 1/2 cup = 2 grams | Cereal, bran flake | 3/4 cup = 5.3 grams |
| Cabbage, fresh, cooked | 1/2 cup = 1.5 grams | Oatmeal, plain, cooked | 3/4 cup = 3 grams |
| Carrot, fresh, cooked | 1/2 cup = 2.3 grams | White rice, cooked | 1 cup = 0.6 grams |
| Cauliflower, fresh, cooked | 1/2 cup = 1.7 grams | ||
| Romaine lettuce | 1 cup = 1.2 grams | ||
| Spinach, fresh, cooked | 1/2 cup = 2.2 grams | ||
| Tomato, raw | 1 = 1 gram | ||
Information provided by Mr Dhiren Nehra MPhil. FRCS
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