Brief Answer:

Fibre intake should be increased

Detailed Answer:

Hello,

The entire presentation seems to sum up to one single cause i.e. slowing down of the bowel movements. Diverticulitis, as well as constipation alternating with diarrhea, are typical of it.

Our bowels have a forward propulsive movement which moves the food forward as it is digested, absorbed and finally eliminated as faeces.

The key lies in regularization of the same. My suggestions would be to:

* Avoid long gaps between meals. Take small but frequent meals.
* Spicy food has to be avoided.
* It is very important to exercise regularly.
* High dietary fibre intake has to be ensured. Plenty of green leafy vegetables are to be taken. Fibre supplements like psyllium husk can also be taken along. This has to be taken daily at dinner irrespective of whether the problems are present.

Fibre-rich food items include:

* Apples, pears, parsnip, berries, raspberries, kumquats, guavas, squash, oranges, passion fruit, avocado, blackberries, pomegranate, currants, persimmons, kiwi fruits, figs, bananas, blueberries, cherries, apricots, strawberries, tangerines, papaya, mangoes, pineapple, plums, litchi, grapes, watermelon
* Broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage, lettuce, brussels sprout, carrots, leafy vegetables and spinach, amaranth, artichokes, green peas, collard greens, sweet potato, okra, fennel, eggplant/brinjal, sweetcorn, beets, turnip, asparagus, onions
* Legumes, beans, lentils, chickpeas, celery, soybean, navy beans, cranberry beans, french beans
* Whole grains, quinoa, brown rice, millets and oats, squash and pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds, dried coconut, almonds,
* Mushrooms
* Flax seeds, chia seeds, corn XXXXXXX

You need not worry about the colour of diarrhoea.

Hope I have answered your query.

Take care

Regards,
Dr Prof. Kunal Saha, General & Family Physician

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