Diet and Hemorrhoids
Those who suffer from hemorrhoids can make some dietary changes too soothe their achy bottom and keep hemorrhoids from flaring.Rough Up Your Diet
One of the most important moves toward healing hemorrhoids is a change in diet by adding dietary fiber.
Dietary fiber -- the fiber found in foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and dried beans -- passes through the human digestive tract untouched by digestive enzymes. As it travels, it absorbs many times its weight in water; by the time it reaches the colon in combination with digestive waste, it produces a stool that is bulky, heavy, and soft -- all factors that make it easier to eliminate without straining. Straining, remember, is a major cause of hemorrhoids. In about half of hemorrhoid cases, consuming more dietary fiber is the only treatment necessary. Bran, specifically wheat bran, is the time honored cure-all, because it creates a bulky stool.
 Apples are a good source of fiber to add to your diet to ease hemorrhoids. |
Grains: Whole wheat, whole rye, brown rice, milled corn, unprocessed oatmeal, rolled oats, unprocessed miller's bran, legumes, lima beans, soy beans, kidney beans, lentils, chick peas
Vegetables: Carrots, brussels sprouts, eggplant, cabbage, corn, green beans, lettuce
Fruits: Apples, oranges, pears, figs, prunes, apricots, raisins
As with everything, moderation is important. It's best to add fiber to your diet gradually, instead of trying to add it to every meal. Too rapid an increase can cause gas, abdominal cramps, or diarrhea. As it is, you can expect some increase in intestinal gas at first, but this will subside in a week or two as your system and the bacteria that inhabit your colon adjust to your new diet. In fact, too much fiber can actually cause constipation.
Drink Up
Be sure to drink plenty of water to keep the digestive process moving right along. A minimum of eight large glasses of water or other noncaffeinated fluid a day is recommended. Fruits and vegetables, which are important sources of dietary fiber, are naturally packed with water and can also help keep you hydrated.
Slim Down
If you are overweight, you'll be doing your bottom a favor by getting your weight closer to the desirable range. Of course, you'll be doing the rest of your body good, too.
When hemorrhoids act up and cause pain and discomfort, there are medications available to temporarily ease most symptoms. Hopefully, you can make simple, healthy changes to your lifestyle and prevent hemorrhoids from occuring.
The following people contributed to this article:
Timothy Gower is a freelance writer and editor whose work has appeared in many publications, including Reader's Digest, Prevention, Men's Health, Better Homes and Gardens, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times. The author of four books, Gower is also a contributing editor for Health magazine.
Betsy A. Hornick, M.S., R.D., is a registered dietitian specializing in nutrition education and communications. She has contributed to numerous nutrition and health education publications for both consumers and health professionals, including the Weight Loss Bible, The Healthy Beef Cookbook, and various materials published by the American Dietetic Association. She is a regular contributor to Diabetic Cooking magazine.
Alice Lesch Kelly is a health writer based in Boston. Her work has been published in magazines such as Shape, Fit Pregnancy, Woman's Day, Reader's Digest, Eating Well, and Health. She is the co-author of three books on women's health.
Ivan Oransky, M.D., is the deputy editor of The Scientist (www.the-scientist.com). He is
author or co-author of four books, including The Common Symptom Answer Guide (McGraw-Hill, 2004), and has written for publications including the Boston Globe, The Lancet, and
USA Today. He holds appointments as a clinical assistant professor of medicine and as adjunct professor of journalism at New York University.
Eric Yarnell, N.D., R.H. (A.H.G.) is a naturopathic physician and registered herbalist in private practice specializing in men's health and urology. He is an assistant professor in botanical medicine department at Bastyr University in Seattle and is president of the Botanical Medicine Academy. He is the author of several textbooks including Naturopathic Gastroenterology, Naturopathic Urology and Men's Health, and Clinical Botanical Medicine and writes a regular column on herbal medicine for Alternative and Complementary Therapies.
This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.
