Indian Diet Plan for fistula: What to Eat and What Not To Eat?
Anal fistula can recur with minor lifestyle and diet changes. Rectal fistula can be treated faster if you have a healthy diet and a healthy lifestyle.
Lifestyle and Diet Tips for Fistula at Ano
Avoid constipation. Constipation can aggravate fistula problems.
Hydration is key – Water helps to clear the channels, flush out toxins and stool. It keeps you hydrated.
Fiber-rich foods – Fibre increases stool quantity and aids in expulsion. Anal fistula can be helped by fibre-rich foods. The best source of fiber is from the fruits, vegetables, and legumes you eat daily. You should aim to consume at least 30-35g of fiber each day. You must drink a lot of water when you eat fiber foods. Both aid in cleansing the colon and can prevent or treat constipation. Below are some examples of fiber-rich foods.
- Brown rice
- Brown bread
- Wheat germ
- Barley
- Bran from wheat
- Oat bran
- Oatmeal
- Popcorn
- Whole grain pasta
- Cereals
- Beans and peas
- Nuts and seeds
- Whole wheat pasta
- Broccoli
- Cauliflower
- Spinach
- Carrot
- Radish
- Onion
- Tomato
- Green pepper
- Banana
- Apple
- Orange
- Papaya
- Prunes and prune juice
- Pear
- Fiber supplements etc
- Avoid spicy foods. They can aggravate symptoms such as pain and bleeding during bowel movements.
- Raw cabbage juice – Drink half a cup daily of raw cabbage juice. It softens the stool and aids in expulsion.
- Papaya – Eat papaya right as it is. It helps with bowel clearing and prevents constipation
- Amla juice – Drink at least one glass of Indian gooseberry juice per day
- Anal fistula: Orange juice – Aim for 1-2 glasses per day
- Avoid heavy and large meals. Eat small, light (but still nutritive) meals at a given time. This will allow the stomach to relax and allow it to take in small amounts of food at a given time.
- Avoid excessive cleaning – Excessive cleansing of the anal area can cause irritation and itching.
- All patients with anal fistula must take a seat bath. Warm water should be used to soak the patient’s buttocks for up to 30 minutes. You can add a small amount of salt to the warm water. Warm water can be infused with analgesic oils to ease the symptoms.
- Cushions – Ring-shaped cushions can be used to reduce the weight of your anus.
- Avoid caffeine and alcohol – Exercising too much of either caffeine or alcohol can cause dehydration.
- Pay attention to your urges – If your body signals you for bowel movement, don’t delay. It can be difficult to recognize when it is time to move. It can become more difficult to get rid of it the longer you keep it in.
Maintain a Healthy Bowel Habit
A healthy bowel habit can reduce constipation and strain on your anal canal. These are some of the habits you should adopt:
Take enough time to pass your feces while using the loo. However, don’t sit on the toilet for too long
- Passing stools shouldn’t be a strain
- After every bowel movement, dry the anal area.
- To clean, use soft, scent-free and dye-free toilet paper.
- Diarrhoea and dysentery should be treated immediately
- If you have Crohn’s disease or irritable bowel syndrome, get the right treatment.
- Safe and herbal laxatives – Consult your doctor if you aren’t able to take fiber diet or fiber supplements. Bulk-forming laxatives and fiber supplements can increase the amount of fluid in your stool by allowing it to absorb and retain fluid. They can also stimulate contractions in your colon to move your stool along. Ask your doctor about the best type of laxative for you. Also, inquire how long it should be taken.
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Avoid sugar and flour – Many people eat food made from flour, sugar and spices.
Vegetables, fruits, and nuts – Eat a lot of them. They are delicious and nutritious. Beta-carotene is a plant-based compound that can be found in orange, yellow, and red fruits, as well as green leafy vegetables. It converts to vitamin B when food is absorbed. Vitamin A is essential for the health of skin and the tissues that line the cavities. Vitamin C, found in tomatoes, citrus fruits, and other vegetables, helps boost your immune system and protect you from infection. Zinc is found in peanuts, cashew nuts, and almonds. This mineral contributes to wound healing and new cell formation. Raw fruits and vegetables retain more water-soluble nutrients than cooked ones, including Vitamins C and Vitamins B. If you don’t prefer raw foods, eating baked, steamed, or roasted foods may be equally beneficial to your health and healing.
If you have difficulty digesting raw vegetables or fruits, it may be easier to eat them – as this is a rare occurrence.
Fat – To make a fistula diet, you can add a little more fat to your food. A glass of buttermilk with salt or milk with clarified butter can help ease the pain and soften the stool. Avoid refined foods during this time and eat plenty of fresh vegetables.
Honey is better than tea or coffee. Lemon juice with honey and hot water is a great drink for fistula.
Warm milk with butter – Add a tablespoon of clarified butter to a cup of warm milk.
Avoid eating late at night – Eat your main meal or snack before bed. These foods can interfere with your digestive process.
Sleep well – A disturbed sleep pattern or late night sleeping can cause bowel problems and other health issues. You should have both a qualitative as well as a quantitative sleep.
Avoid stress. Stress can cause constipation or indigestion, which is often a sign of anal fistula. Avoid stress. Yoga and breathing exercises can be a great way to relieve stress.
Also Read: Difference Between Piles & Anal Fistula
Contact the Best Fistula Doctor in Kolkata for the Fistula Treatment.
About Docor
Dr. Azhar Alam
MBBS (Honours), MRCS A (UK),
DNB General Surgery
FIAGES (Gastro Intestinal Surgery)
FMAS (Minimal Access Surgery),
MNAMS (New Delhi)
Consultant Gastrointestinal, Advanced Laparoscopic and Laser Surgeon
Assistant Professor of Surgery, KPC Medical College and Hospital
