The proctitis diet is a diet aimed at reducing the symptoms of this disease; on the other hand, it has no effect on the resolution of the triggering agents that concern it.
proctitis
Proctitis is a disease characterized by deep inflammation of the rectal mucosa (internal lining of the rectum).
The Proctitis Diet should be free of Irritating Foods such as garlic, onion, red pepper, horseradish and coffee
12-15 centimeters long, the rectum represents the last tract of the large intestine, between the anus and the sigma.
Causes
Proctitis has a very diverse etiology; it can in fact be caused by:
- Chronic and idiopathic inflammatory diseases
- Radioactive lesions (eg in radiotherapy for cervical cancer or prostate cancer)
- Sexually transmitted infections.
The most frequent infectious pictures are the venereal lymphogranuloma from the bacterium Chlamydia trachomatis and the herpes proctitis from the Herpes simplex virus (1 and 2); other bacteria involved are: Neisseria gonorrhoeae (see gonorrhea) and Syphilitic proctitis (see syphilis).
Two common circumstances in which the microorganisms responsible for infectious proctitis are transmitted are:
- unprotected anal intercourse between multiple and infected partners
- the use of common enemas (especially for venereal lymphogranuloma).
The onset of proctitis is probably emphasized by psychologically and physically stressful conditions. Furthermore, some studies have correlated the onset of proctitis with celiac disease.
Symptoms and Complications
The prevalent symptoms include:
- Fatigue and ineffectiveness of defecation, with permanent sensation of incomplete emptying
- Spasms and cramps during bowel movements of peristalsis
- Abdominal pain in the hypogastrium and the left iliac region
- Anorectal pain
- Diarrhea
- Rectal bleeding with or without pus
- Rectal losses of blood and / or pus and / or mucus.
If the bleeding is severe, it is possible that an anemic picture may arise with the classic symptoms of: pallor, irritability, weakness, dizziness, brittle nails and breathlessness.
Diagnosis and Treatment
The diagnosis of proctitis occurs by internal investigation of the rectum with proctoscope or sigmoidoscope.
For the detection of possible pathogens, the doctor can carry out stool sampling and biopsy for microscopic examination.
To ascertain the possible presence of Crohn's disease or ulcerative rectal colitis, colonoscopy and X-ray analysis with barium enema are used.
The treatment of proctitis varies depending on the severity and etiology.
In case of bacterial infection, the most advisable drugs are antibiotic type. If proctitis is secondary to a chronic inflammatory disease (Crohn's disease or ulcerative rectal colitis), the doctor may prescribe 5-aminosalicylic acid (5ASA) and corticosteroids, applied directly on site (suppositories, enemas) or taken orally in the form of tablets. Topical application is generally more effective, but in some cases the combination of both solutions is preferable.
Proctitis and Diet
The proctitis diet is a balanced nutritional scheme that acts as a palliative. In practice, also thanks to the use of certain food supplements, it avoids the worsening of symptoms and prevents complications during drug treatment; however, it cannot be considered a decisive intervention.
The proctitis diet is based on three fundamental principles:
- Faeces softening / gelation (to optimize the expulsion)
- Elimination of irritants (to reduce the burning sensation)
- Drastic reduction of fatty foods.
Moreover, in the case of concurrent proctitis with celiac disease, it is absolutely essential to avoid gluten as accurately as possible.
Yes to Soluble Fibers
As anticipated, the proctitis diet must be rich in soluble fiber. These are essential for maintaining the state of fecal hydration and improving the transit inside the colon.
Soluble Fibers are found in products of vegetable origin, particularly in vegetables, fruit, algae, legumes and certain seeds.
In the case of proctitis it is also advisable to use laxatives based on soluble fibers such as, for example, the "Metamucil". It is a food supplement containing sinuses of psyllium, more precisely their external integument, which provides up to 70% soluble fiber (mucilage).
Other soluble fibers that have a similar intestinal effect are agar agar (another mucilago), inulin (fructose polysaccharide extracted, for example, from chicory or agave) and glucomannans (mannose and glucose polysaccharides, extracted from an oriental tuber).
Foods to Avoid
Irritants are molecules of various kinds contained in food and beverages. Among these we mention:
- spicy
- Stimulants
- Toxic cooking residues.
Above all, the first group should avoid:
- chili capsaicin,
- piperine (and cavaicina) of pepper,
- gingerol from ginger,
- isothiocyanate of horseradish or mustard or wasabi seeds,
- allicin of garlic or onion or shallot.
Of the Stimulant group it is essential to avoid:
- ethyl alcohol in alcoholic beverages,
- coffee caffeine,
- the theobromine of cocoa,
- tea tea (mainly fermented tea)
- energy drinks and other stimulating drinks.
Of the third and last, it can be very useful to zero the proportion of harmful toxic molecules such as: the polycyclic aromatics, acrolein, formaldehyde and acrylamide. To do this it is absolutely essential to limit the cooking systems, excluding those that are too intense, which can carbonize (even partially) the energy macronutrients.
Instead, cooking methods such as:
- boiling,
- steamed,
- pressure,
- in water bath,
- at low temperature,
- vacuum
- in pot.
Saturated fats
It is also advisable to reduce the proportion of saturated fats in the diet. These nutrients are contained mainly in foods of animal origin, such as cheeses and certain meats (including sausages, cold cuts, etc.).
We recall that this reduction relates to the fraction of saturated fatty acids but not to the total ones; in fact, the division of the diet against the proctitis remains completely unchanged with respect to the standard of nutritional balance and must guarantee a lipid portion of 25% compared to the total energy.
To fill the reduction of saturated lipids it is possible to proportionally increase the portion of the seasoning oil, better if based on extra virgin olive oil.
Gluten
As anticipated, some forms of proctitis appear to be related to celiac disease. It is an autoimmune disease characterized by gluten intolerance taken with food.
Consequently, in the case of suspected or overt celiac disease, the doctor may suggest a diet for proctitis which - in addition to meeting the requirements we have already discussed - will also be free of gluten-containing foods: durum wheat, soft wheat, spelled, spelled, barley, oats, kamut, sorghum, triticale and all its derivatives.
