Diet for the Treatment of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins just inside the anus which can produce pain, itching and bleeding. They're caused primarily when blood vessels swell due to excess internal pressure from constipation or weakness of the blood vessel wall. One way to avoid constipation and therefore prevent hemorrhoids is by switching to a high-fiber diet.

Considerations

• If you have hemorrhoids and experience severe pain and bleeding, consult your doctor, as blood loss can cause anemia, and pain may indicate you have a prolapsed hemorrhoid requiring special treatment. Also, hemorrhoids can be caused by a chronic cough from asthma, smoking or any chronic lung disease where coughing leads to increased intra-abdominal pressure. Therefore, you may need treatment for those conditions to help prevent hemorrhoids. Note that switching from a low-fiber diet to a high-fiber diet can cause intestinal gas and mild cramping, so you should start with small amounts at first, increasing as your body gets used to it. The goal is to have one to two large, soft, formed stools a day.

High-Fiber Foods

• Hemorrhoids are rarely seen in parts of the world where high-fiber, unrefined diets are common. Conversely, a diet low in fiber and high in refined foods is a huge contributor to the development of hemorrhoids. On average, Americans eat about 5 to 15g of fiber each day, far below the 20 to 35g recommended by the American Dietetic Association. Consuming more than 35g of fiber a day can cause excess gas and discomfort.

  You can find charts of high-fiber foods in books, on the Internet and in the References and Resources sections of this article. Increase your intake by including fiber from all sources so that you consume both soluble fibers, such as pectin in fruit, and insoluble fibers, such as wheat bran. Eating bran cereal in the morning is an easy way to obtain fiber, with many bran cereals packing up to 15g of fiber per serving. Other sources of fiber include fresh fruits with the skin and pulp; dried or stewed fruits like prunes, raisins or apricots; root vegetables such as carrots, turnips or potatoes; raw or fresh vegetables like broccoli and green peas; and beans and other legumes.

Other Dietary Tips

• With a high-fiber diet, drink 6 to 8 glasses of liquids daily since high fiber plus low water intake can actually lead to constipation instead of preventing it. Coffee also stimulates the colon, although you shouldn't overdo the caffeine. Avoid processed foods; a diet of white-flour foods such as breads, pastries, pretzels, noodles and desserts, as well as dairy products, leads to very hard stools. Some patients may need to avoid alcohol and spicy foods as they can promote hemorrhoids in sensitive individuals. Eat meals at regular intervals and chew food slowly, which will allow saliva and digestive juices to more easily break down the food.

  You may find that supplementing with flaxseed makes for a natural laxative and that vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids (found in fish, such as salmon, tuna, and halibut and nut oils) and magnesium may also help with constipation. Your doctor may recommend an over-the-counter natural bulking compound made from psyllium seed or guar gum.