Nutritional therapy can reduce the pain of hemorrhoids and prevent future ones. One way to prevent the straining that can lead to hemorrhoids is to ensure softer stools. Include unrefined fiber and lots of water and decaffeinated liquids. (Coffee and other drinks with caffeine act as laxatives and can train the colon to be lazy, only producing bowel movements with the help of artificial stimulation.)
Certain nutritional supplements such as vitamin C and the bioflavonoids can strengthen the tone of blood vessel walls and prevent hemorrhoids in other ways. Excess body weight can also make someone susceptible to hemorrhoids, so weight loss is a good idea.
In addition to prevention, nutritional therapy can help ease the pain of hemorrhoids as well. Certain foods, such as coffee, red pepper, mustard, and alcohol, can irritate hemorrhoids as they are passed out of the body. Avoid these.
Consuming sufficient amounts of insoluble and soluble fiber in your daily diet, together with drinking at least eight 8-ounce glasses of water, should eliminate problems with hard stool. Good sources of insoluble fiber include:
- wheat bran
- fruits such as apples and pears
- vegetables such as carrots and spinach
- brown rice
Good sources of soluble fiber include:
- oatmeal or oat bran
- barley
- lentils
- broccoli
