Insoluble fiber is not absorbed by the body, but adds bulk to the stool to speed passage through the digestive tract and clean out the bowels. This keeps bowel movements regular, reducing the risk of constipation and straining that can lead to hemorrhoids.
Studies have shown that over-the-counter fiber supplements, such as Metamucil and Citrucel, improve overall symptoms and bleeding from hemorrhoids. These products help keep stools soft and regular. If you use fiber supplements, be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water or other fluids every day.
Your doctor may recommend that you eat more foods that are high in fiber. Eating foods that are high in fiber can make stools softer and easier to pass and can help treat and prevent hemorrhoids. Drinking water and other liquids, such as fruit juices and clear soups, can help the fiber in your diet work better.
Vitamin C fortifies and strengthens blood vessel walls – take a supplement and eat plenty of citrus fruits, kiwis, peppers and strawberries. Zinc can enhance the healing of hemorrhoids. It is available in supplement form and is also found in poultry, seeds, shellfish and wheat germ.
Your doctor may recommend psyllium to help soften stool and reduce the pain associated with hemorrhoids. Although studies are not entirely conclusive, adding fiber to your diet, particularly psyllium, may help lower blood pressure.
This is a common condition that results from increased pressure on the veins in the anorectal region.” Fiber is beneficial to treat and prevent hemorrhoids. However, if you eat too much fiber, this can actually cause hemorrhoids to develop as the stool may become too hard and difficult to evacuate.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking if you have had a sudden change in bowel habits in the past two weeks or if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Do not give Metamucil to children younger than six years unless on a doctor's advice. Keep your Metamucil in a cool, dry, place, away from moisture and heat.
You may get hemorrhoids if you have a family history, often strain during bowel movements, or have long-term (chronic) constipation or diarrhea. Symptoms may include blood in your stool, pain around your anus, or itching. Your healthcare provider may do several tests to be sure you have hemorrhoids.
Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository containing hydrocortisone, or use pads containing witch hazel or a numbing agent. Soak regularly in a warm bath or sitz bath. Soak your anal area in plain warm water for 10 to 15 minutes two to three times a day. A sitz bath fits over the toilet.
Fiber-rich diet
Therefore, consuming a diet rich in fiber can help to soften stools, making them easier to pass. So, a balanced diet containing foods like oats, avocado, bananas, broccoli, lentils and pulses is perfect for easing painful problems caused by piles.
If you experience any of these hemorrhoid symptoms, avoid excess straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus, which can make irritation and itching worse, and can even lead to bleeding. In addition, try to pat the area dry instead of wiping it.
A double-blind trial reported that 7 grams of , an herb high in fiber, taken three times daily reduced the pain and bleeding associated with hemorrhoids. Some healthcare professionals recommend taking two tablespoons of psyllium seeds or 1 teaspoon of psyllium husks two or three times per day mixed with water or juice.
Should I take it before or after meals ? Any time of day is appropriate to take Metamucil as long as an adequate intake of fluids (at least 240 mL of water or liquid per serving) is consumed. We recommend taking Metamucil three times per day at mealtimes as a convenient way to get the benefits of Metamucil.
If you have hemorrhoids, it's essential to avoid chips and fast food. While the high-fat content of these foods is bad for your health in general, those with hemorrhoids should be particularly mindful of what they eat. These foods can cause or worsen hemorrhoid symptoms.
Drinking many caffeinated beverages during the day stimulates the digestive system and can cause diarrhea or constipation in some people. These conditions can exacerbate hemorrhoid symptoms and stop them from healing.
Magnesium sulfate, the active ingredient in Epsom salt, is absorbed through the skin with ease and works by causing shrinkage in enlarged hemorrhoids, which can also relieve pain. Soaking in Epsom salt also enhances the healing of damaged and bleeding hemorrhoids.
Yogurt and other probiotics can be a part of a healthy, well-rounded diet that reduces hemorrhoid symptoms, help them heal faster and may offer support in preventing a recurrence.