Is Intestinal Inflammation a Condition of Grave Concern?

Gastroenteritis is mostly related to poor dietary habits. Symptoms of enteritis include abdominal pain, bloating, and diarrhea, and in some cases, it can lead to high fever, chills, and other symptoms. If a person consumes unclean or irritating foods, the symptoms of enteritis can be particularly severe. In severe cases, it can lead to dehydration and even hypovolemic shock, posing a certain risk. So, how should we be mindful of our diet when it comes to enteritis?

Dietary Guidelines for Enteritis

1. Consume Less High-Fiber Foods

As large amounts of high-fiber foods can irritate the intestines and affect the colon's absorption of nutrients, they are particularly harmful to patients with malnutrition-induced ulcerative colitis. Foods such as leek, celery, sweet potato, radish, coarse grains, and dried beans should be consumed in moderation. When eating these foods, they can be made into vegetable juices, purees, fruit juices, etc. It is also permissible to consume meat, pork, and ground meat.

2. Avoid or Limit Seafood

Certain proteins in seafood can be allergenic and exacerbate colonic inflammation, so patients with ulcerative colitis should be cautious when consuming seafood. This includes various seafood items such as fish, shrimp, and seaweed.

3. Avoid Spicy and Irritating Foods

These foods can damage the colon and excessive intake can cause intense irritation, leading to increased inflammation on the ulcer surface. Therefore, patients with ulcerative colitis should avoid spicy foods such as chili peppers, garlic, ginger, raw onions, mustard, and alcohol. Cold and excessively hot foods should also be avoided as they can cause thermal stimulation to the colon, which is detrimental to the recovery of ulcerated areas.

4. Limit Fatty Foods

Ulcerative colitis is often accompanied by malabsorption of fats, and severe cases may be accompanied by fatty diarrhea. Therefore, dietary fat intake should be limited, and it is not recommended to consume too much fat and other foods. Especially for patients with fatty diarrhea, medium-chain fatty acids such as coconut oil can be used. Cooking methods should also be minimized to steaming, boiling, simmering, and stewing to reduce oil intake.

Summary

The etiology of ulcerative colitis is not yet fully understood. Poor dietary habits and mental stress can trigger abdominal pain, diarrhea, urgency, mucus, pus, and bloody stool. It is important to maintain a bland diet, avoid spicy and irritating foods, quit smoking and alcohol, lead a regular lifestyle, have a balanced diet, maintain nutritional balance, and stay in a good mood.