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Can Diverticulitis Cause Cramping And Pain While Defecating?
Posted on
Sun, 17 Sep 2017
Medically reviewed by
Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team
Sun, 17 Sep 2017
Answered on
Mon, 9 Oct 2017
Last reviewed on
Question : Very occasionally I have severe cramping or pain while defacating. This last while I pass a lot of soft but not runny stool and usually lasts a half hour or so. I get very clammy and almost fainted. After the elimination is done and painstops, I am exhausted and weak for the whole day or next day if it happens at night. Is this common for is? Or is it common for diverticulitis? I usually don't eat the next day because of worry about it happening again . What should I do?
Brief Answer:
A fiber rich diet is essential.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Although your complaint does not relate to diverticulitis, it relates to a similar ailment viz. Piles or hemorrhoids. Although you have not developed bleeding yet, the spasm that you feel is that of the engorged veins and as you try to evacuate your bowels, the pain surmounts. Ensuring a fibre rich diet will help in easing the situation. Green leafy vegetables and other sources of dietary fibres contribute roughage which for the bulk of stool. Unless fiber intake is adequate, the gastrointestinal movement will be hampered and such a problem may result. Please note that you need soluble fibres. You get this type of fibre from wheat XXXXXXX whole grains, and some vegetables. Soluble fibre helps lower blood cholesterol levels and control blood sugar levels. You get this type of fibre from oats, barley, psyllium, oranges, dried beans and lentils. A high fibre diet may also help prevent colon cancer.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Avoid red meat.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fibre supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Take Sitz bath. In a big tumbler take water as hot as your skin can take. Sit on it with your anal opening dipped. Do this if you have the discomfort.
* If the problem intensifies, taking Daflon tablet 500mg every 4 hours for 3 days followed by once every 8 hours for next 4 days should help in resolution of the problem.
Hope that helps.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
A fiber rich diet is essential.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for asking on HealthcareMagic.
I have gone very carefully through your query. Although your complaint does not relate to diverticulitis, it relates to a similar ailment viz. Piles or hemorrhoids. Although you have not developed bleeding yet, the spasm that you feel is that of the engorged veins and as you try to evacuate your bowels, the pain surmounts. Ensuring a fibre rich diet will help in easing the situation. Green leafy vegetables and other sources of dietary fibres contribute roughage which for the bulk of stool. Unless fiber intake is adequate, the gastrointestinal movement will be hampered and such a problem may result. Please note that you need soluble fibres. You get this type of fibre from wheat XXXXXXX whole grains, and some vegetables. Soluble fibre helps lower blood cholesterol levels and control blood sugar levels. You get this type of fibre from oats, barley, psyllium, oranges, dried beans and lentils. A high fibre diet may also help prevent colon cancer.
In order to relieve yourself, you need to do the following:
* Avoid spicy food. Take small but frequent meals. Avoid long gaps between meals.
* Avoid alcohol intake (if it a part of your habit).
* Avoid red meat.
* Take plenty of green leafy vegetables as well as other sources of dietary fibers. Take fibre supplements like isabgol/psyllium husk or senna. I would insist you to increase your dietary fiber intake.
* Regular morning walk and exercise to keep the bowel movements proper.
* Take curd or yogurt on daily basis. It contains beneficial bacteria and should help.
* Take Sitz bath. In a big tumbler take water as hot as your skin can take. Sit on it with your anal opening dipped. Do this if you have the discomfort.
* If the problem intensifies, taking Daflon tablet 500mg every 4 hours for 3 days followed by once every 8 hours for next 4 days should help in resolution of the problem.
Hope that helps.
Let me know if I could help further.
Regards
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
I do have hemorrhoids and diverticuli. However, my diet is very good. Eggs sometimes bacon and 2 servings raw veggies (brocollii, cauliflower, carrots, cellery, cabbage). Lunch raw veggies, chicken or other protein.. dinner, salad, steamed XXXXXXX spinach, cabbage, sweet potatoes and fish, chicken, lamb, rarely beef or bison. I don't eat grains often. If I do I ensure they are organic and non GMO. Fruit is limited, mostly cantelope and blueberries. The only issue is I am low on iron so take a good iron supplement which does cause constipation, so I take di-sodium phosphate to help with that. This recent bout happened after eating corn for the first time in awhile, also had some blackberries. Last time it happened was after eating rice. I get plenty of aerobics and resistance workouts. I do have auto immune thyroid issue, so take levothyroxine. I drink 40 to 60 oz of water a day.
Brief Answer:
Try to reduce intake of bacon, beef, bison etc.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the updates. However, I would strongly insist you to try and reduce the sources of red meat from your diet. You need to increase your water intake as even 40-60 oz would not suffice.
Try to reduce intake of bacon, beef, bison etc.
Detailed Answer:
Thanks for the updates. However, I would strongly insist you to try and reduce the sources of red meat from your diet. You need to increase your water intake as even 40-60 oz would not suffice.
Note: For further follow up on related General & Family Physician Click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
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