You support colon health by eating a high-fiber diet, but you leave yourself open to certain digestive problems, including colon pain, if your diet lacks enough fiber. Discomfort in your large intestine comes from many causes, but diverticulosis and diverticulitis are common triggers, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse. These disorders are especially common in people who do not eat enough fiber.
Definition
Your colon is a critical part of your digestive system because it completes the digestive process before waste moves into the rectum to be discharged from your body. The colon contains bacteria that facilitate the digestive process. This part of your large intestine absorbs salts and fluids from digested food before sending feces into the rectum for storage until a bowel movement sends it out through the anus. You may feel pain in the colon area if you have digestive problems.
Problems
Fiber is a natural substance found in foods that come from plant sources, like legumes, vegetables and fruits. You need about 25 to 30 g of fiber daily for optimum digestive system functioning. You may develop pouches in your colon that get inflamed if you do not eat enough fiber, the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse warns, leading to conditions called diverticulosis and diverticulitis. Colon pain is the most common symptom, although severe cases may involve nausea, cramps, fever, vomiting, chills and bowel habit changes.
Prevention
Prevent fiber-related colon pain by eating foods rich in fiber every day. The Mayo Clinic recommends legumes like beans and peas, vegetables, fruits, seeds, nuts and whole grain products as good fiber sources. Processed and refined foods like canned vegetables and fruits or white bread have little or no fiber, and you reduce the dietary value of fruits and vegetables if you remove the skin.
Considerations
You can use fiber supplements to fight colon pain if you have difficulty getting enough of the substance in your diet, although the Mayo Clinic advises that food is the best source. Fiber supplements help digestion but do not contain the same vitamins and minerals as healthy foods.
Warning
Adding too much fiber to your diet too quickly can trigger colon pain and other problems like gas, cramping and bloating, the Mayo Clinic warns. Avoid this problem by gradually increasing the fiber in your diet for several weeks to meet the recommended level, which gives your digestive system and its bacteria time to adjust. Drink plenty of water with your high-fiber diet because this helps it work properly and promotes soft, bulky stool.
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