Jessie Herring
Dietetics and Nutrition 203
Lisa Steward
23 February 2014
Diverticular Disease of the Colon
Diverticular disease of the colon is characterized by three conditions that are involved in the development of diverticula, or outpouchings, in the muscular wall of the large intestine. These diverticula form in areas of the colon that are weakened by waste, gas or liquid and usually appear in the sigmoid colon, which is an area of high-pressure. The three conditions that lead to the onset of the disease are diverticulosis, diverticulitis, and diverticular bleeding (West).
Diverticulosis indicates the presence of diverticula that are not inflamed. Diverticulosis by itself can go unnoticed due to lack of symptoms and can be caused by something as simple as straining the bowel during constipation. Diverticulitis is defined as having diverticula that are both present and inflamed. This condition occurs when the diverticulum becomes blocked with waste and bacteria are allowed to accumulate, causing infection to occur. The last condition, diverticular bleeding, occurs when the small blood vessels surrounding the diverticula are chronically damaged (West).
Diverticular disease is common in the United States affecting approximately 2.2 million people in this country, of which almost 3,000 people die annually (National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse). Around 50 percent of people between the ages of 60 and 80, and even higher percentages of those over the age of 80, suffer from diverticulosis and/or diverticulitis (Blake et al. 135). Complications occur in about 10 percent of people with diverticulosis. These complications can include diverticulitis, obstruction of the bowel, diverticular bleeding, ulceration of the...
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...ker elimination of the bowel (National Fiber Council).
A high fiber diet should be a part of virtually everyone’s lifestyle. In the modern day Western world, carbohydrates and fatty foods are consumed at both an unhealthy rate and amount and are the reason for many health issues, including diverticular disease. These types of foods are not supposed to be the major food group in a healthy diet. Unfortunately consumption of clean proteins, fibers, water and vitamins are often overlooked or excluded. Without a healthy balance between all food groups, the body will not be able to function appropriately and diseases and deficiencies will occur. Exercise, no matter the age, should also be a part of a healthy lifestyle. Eating right, exercising, and avoiding carcinogens allows the body to work as it should and keeps the colon, as well as other organs, happy and healthy.
Although I have never been someone who has taken an interest in reading about nutrition and how it affects our bodies, I really enjoyed the book, Eat Dirt by Josh Axe. The author discusses how he took an interest into leaky gut after his mother was diagnosed with cancer a second time and he created a plan to help her eat healthier in order to improve her health. The plan worked wonders for his mother, although he claims the plan won’t cure her or anyone else in her case it was highly effective. Throughout the book, Axe continues to provide the reader with examples of what his patients have suffered from and how, through changing their eating habits, have improved their lives significantly. After each example of patients, the author informs the reader of what leads to leaky gut and ways to combat it. Each chapter expands on the five ways to combat leaky gut by providing examples on the topics such as, what to eat and what probiotics to take for certain conditions. Throughout his
To prevent constipation: Eat foods that are high in fiber, such as fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and beans. Limit foods that are high in fat and processed sugars, such as fried and sweet
People can lower their risk of developing colorectal cancer by managing the risk factors that they can control, such as diet and physical activity. It is important to eat plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grain foods and to limit intake of high-fat foods. Physical activity is another area that people can control. Even small amounts of exercise on a regular basis can be helpful, at least 30 minutes of physical activity on most days. Also, achieving and maintaining a healthy weight.
Lifestyle changes – Diet and exercise are the ways to healthy living and improved energy. Exercising at least 30 minutes each day and eating a healthy diet high in fiber and rich in nutrients will decrease constipation, bolster your immune system, and help maintain good thyroid functioning (Almandoz & Gharib, 2012).
The cause of Crohn’s disease is unknown and there is no proof that the disease is caused by an infection. At the same time researchers have found that it is the result of an abnormal reaction by the body’s immune system. They think that in the disease the immune system fights bacteria, foods, and other substances that are actually harmless or beneficial to the body. The white blood cells that are released to fight off these substances multiply in the lining of the intestine and that’s what creates the inflammation. The inflammation in the digestive tract also involves other factors as well, such as: the gene the person has inherited in the person’s immune system and the environment. Research has also found that Crohn’s disease is not contagious.
Through time, most renowned practitioners of alternative medicine have claimed that an unclean colon is the most dominant cause of all kinds of diseases. Without regular and proper bowl movements, the waste material that is supposed to be driven out of the body remains inside. They in turn produce toxins which are slowly absorbed by other parts of the body including the organs. This in no way can be something good for the body. In fact the toxic waste can
Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis are both in a category of diseases called Inflammatory Bowel Diseases. This is a classification of disease in which inflammation forms in a part of the digestive tract, known as the gastrointestinal tract or GI tract, of the patient. The immune system then treats this area of inflammation as a foreign pathogen and attacks it. The causes of both of these diseases are currently unknown to the medical world.
...grains per day. A higher fiber cereal with at least three grams may help. She could also eat wheat bread instead of white. The correct amount of fiber helps to reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and makes bowel elimination easier. She should increase her fat intake by consuming whole milk, beef, nuts, peanut butter, and eggs. The correct amount of fat intake is needed for prolonged low-intensity activity. Her intake of sodium is high. Too much sodium contributes to hypertension and increases calcium loss in urine. She should avoid processed foods, and added table salt, soups and chips.
After eating, one does not digest the total amount of food that they consume. Fiber becomes indigestible because of a certain class of a plant called cellulose. Ground up psyllium seeds, water absorbing particles, constitute the main component of commercial fiber supplements (Enker). A tablespoon, a bar, or certain class of pill contributes to approximately seventy-five percent of the recommended intake, or fifteen grams (Enker). One should take fiber supplements at night, and after a meal. Through regular use, the bowel can function in a regular, methodical manner. Fiber supplements help create roughage, and roughage then aids in discarding the body's toxins and wastes in the digestive tract. Fiber mixes with the stool, takes in liquid and increases into a "gel bead" (Enker). The stool then becomes moisturized through the gel bead, therefore relieving the colon. For this process to work, one must take these fiber supplements with an ample amount of water for absorption, thus accumulating mucous and acting as a lubricant.
Cystitis is the medical term for inflammation of the urinary bladder. Most of the time, the inflammation is caused by a bacterial infection, and it’s called a urinary tract infection. A bladder infection can be painful and annoying, and it can become a serious health problem if the infection spreads to your kidney.
Ulcerative colitis, or UC, is a chronic gastrointestinal disease that causes inflammation and ulcers in the lining of the large intestine. It causes ulcers in the colon and rectum. Ulcerative colitis is one of two forms of inflammatory bowel disease. In UC, the inflammation from the ulcers breaks down the lining of the colon and causes bleeding and discomfort in the abdomen.
The pancreas is one of the essential organs in the human body and belongs in the Digestive system. Out of all the internal organs, the pancreas is unique because the pancreas plays a role in both the endocrine gland and the exocrine gland. This means that the pancreas is a dual function gland in which is the reason why the pancreas is such a vital part of the digestive system. This research paper will talk about the anatomy, physiology, and the important functions the pancreas play to maintain homeostasis.
An abdominal mass is an abnormal growth in the abdomen. These growths can be caused by a variety of reasons and their pathologies can be very different from one another. A palpable abdominal mass is one that can be felt by the person or by a person performing an examination. When referring to the abdomen, there are four main quadrants: right upper quadrant, left upper quadrant, right lower quadrant, and left lower quadrant. The abdomen can also be divided more thoroughly into nine smaller quadrants.
Gastroenteritis, sometimes referred to as infectious diarrhoea is a common disease that affects millions of people annually. It is a disease caused by viruses, bacteria or parasites that enter the human body and spread, which induce symptoms such as vomiting, diarrhoea, abdominal pain and nausea. Although it is a common occurrence in society and is usually not harmful, cases of gastroenteritis in less developed countries may have more fatal repercussions due to their inability to access ample means of treatment. Over time, as more research was conducted into the disease, scientific developments were made to aid those affected by gastroenteritis and reduce the number of fatalities by educating people regarding preventative methods.
... getting diabetes, cardiovascular disease, or cancer are all greatly reduced. Making a simple dietary change such as switching from white bread to whole grain bread will help with the intake with fiber. It is better to eat the correct foods and drinks instead of turning to diet pills or supplements. They can cause serious health risks.