Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins that develop in or around your anus and rectum. They can be either inside your rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or sit right outside your anus (external hemorrhoids).
In some cases, hemorrhoids can have symptoms that are very mild or even unnoticeable. However, most of the time, hemorrhoids cause a variety of very unpleasant symptoms, such as rectal bleeding, itching, pain, and swelling.
If you’re constipated in addition to having hemorrhoids, it can make the pain and other symptoms from the hemorrhoids much worse. Adding fiber-rich foods to your diet can soften your stools and relieve hemorrhoid pain.
At the Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Town and Country, Missouri, our team, led by Betsy Clemens, MD, understands that hemorrhoids can be incredibly painful and frustrating.
So, this month’s blog highlighted five foods that can help relieve hemorrhoid pain.
Several vegetables contain a lot of fiber and water that can soften your stools and make them easier to pass. This limits the need to strain during bowel movements, which could trigger hemorrhoid pain. We recommend focusing on these particularly fibrous vegetables, many of which promote soft stools and a healthy gut:
Potatoes and sweet potatoes with the skin left on are also great fiber choices.
Another food group in the plant family that offers rich amounts of fiber and water is fruit. One serving of fruit can get you 10% of your required daily fiber intake! Here’s a good list of fruit to make sure you include for hemorrhoid relief:
To reap the full fiber benefits, eat these fruits raw.
Switch out any white breads, pasta, and other grains for a whole-grain version instead. Foods with whole grains still contain the germ, bran, and endosperm portion of the grain, all holding the most nutrition and fiber.
In addition to whole-grain bread and pasta, try barley, quinoa, bran muffins, corn, and brown rice. Oatmeal is also an easy way to add high amounts of fiber with just one serving.
Another fiber powerhouse that can quickly get you to your daily intake goal is beans. One serving of kidney, navy, lima, or black beans can account for one-third of your fiber intake. You can swap out some of your meat sources in meals for beans or add them to a salad.
To make your increased fiber intake even more effective, it’s important to also drink plenty of hydrating fluids. While water is often the best choice, any beverage that’s low in sugar and calories, such as unsweetened teas or sodium-free broths, can also be good. You can also add lemons or berries to your water if you want to add flavor.
For more information on how to relieve your hemorrhoids or to schedule an appointment for expert hemorrhoid care, call our office or use our online booking feature today.
