A hemorrhoids diet is crucial in the overall treatment of the condition. Hemorrhoids can often result from diets lacking in fiber. Fiber-poor diets can lead to hard, dry stools, which could cause chronic constipation.
Being selective and choosing and preparing a diet for hemorrhoids can do a lot to aid in the prevention, relief, and potentially even the cure for minor hemorrhoids.
This condition occurs as a result of swollen and enlarged veins in the anus and rectum area. One can experience either internal or external hemorrhoids. The names define the characteristic of each type. Internal ones are engorged veins within the rectum. They are not visible unless one of the them develops into a prolapsed hemorrhoid. This is when it drops down into the external part of the anus. When this occurs, they can be seen and felt and many times become painful.
External hemorrhoids are visible to the naked eye and are usually more painful. Blood can accompany either type of hemorrhoid. When saddled with hemorrhoids diet can become the key to relief.
Most of the time, they are the result of intense pressure, from straining during a bowel movement, pregnancy and childbirth, sitting for prolonged periods of time, and extensive heavy lifting. They are an unpleasant, but often unavoidable, aspect of more than 50% of Americans.
There are many treatment options available, including topical applications to help reduce inflammation and pain, fixative procedures, surgery, herbal supplements, and a targeted hemorrhoids diet.
Because constipation is such a huge factor in the onset, a high-fiber diet is crucial in the promotion of soft, healthy stools. Taking bulk fiber supplements, such as Metamucil or Citrucel, can help a current hemorrhoid condition as well as prevent the onset of further eruptions.
Your diet for hemorrhoids can also include foods rich in bran, whole-grain breads and cereal, leafy green vegetables and non-citrus fruits such as apples which contain 4 grams of fiber per serving. Acorn squash is very high in fiber, 7 grams per serving, and black-eyed peas and kidney beans each have 4 and 6 grams respectively.
The important thing to remember is that the ADA recommends 20-35 grams of healthy fiber daily for proper nutrition. Following these guidelines of a healthy, high-fiber diet with help improve the suppleness of stools, which will result in far less straining during bowel movements and a reduction of constipation.
Further, an effective hemorrhoids diet also includes at least 8 glasses of water per day. Proper hydration, combined with a diet high in fiber, helps to relieve irritation and pain on existing hemorrhoids as it will help to produce softer stools.
Finally, avoid processed foods such as fast food. Or at least reduce it to just an occasional treat. Most of these are not only high in fat content, but also low in fiber. Refined foods do not usually contain enough roughage, which forces the intestine to work harder and, consequently, you work harder behind the bathroom door. All of which can lead to hemorrhoids.
Many people are opting to combine treatment therapies: a high-fiber hemorrhoids diet, topical creams, sitz baths, and more natural herbal treatments including Neem, Butcher's Broom, and Horse Chestnut. These natural treatments often reduce inflammation and swelling, lessen pain and bleeding, and work toward a more effective treatment than a single remedy used alone.