Piles, or hemorrhoids, is a term used to describe swelling and pain in veins located in your anus or in the lower section of your rectum. You can help prevent or relieve the effects of hemorrhoids by eating a diet with increased amounts of fluids and foods that contain stool-softening fiber.
Hemorrhoid Basics
Hemorrhoids begin to form when you experience pressure increases in the veins in your anus, according to the National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus. In turn, these increases trigger abnormal expansion of your veins, leading to the classic symptoms of hemorrhoids. Common causes of hemorrhoid-related pressure increases include constipation, straining during bowel movements, anal infections and prolonged periods of sitting. You may also be particularly prone to hemorrhoids during and following pregnancy. Depending on your personal circumstances, you may develop hemorrhoids either inside or outside of your anal orifice.
Hemorrhoid Diet
You can soften your stool and relieve the hemorrhoid-producing effects of straining and constipation by drinking six to eight glasses of water each day and eating adequate amounts of dietary fiber, according to the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse, or NDDIC. The proper type of fiber for stool softening is called insoluble fiber, the National Library of Medicine's Medline Plus reports. It achieves this softening effect by increasing the bulk of your stool. In addition, insoluble fiber may shorten the transit time of food through your stomach and small intestine.
Common sources of insoluble fiber include vegetables, whole grain and wheat bran. Dietary fiber also includes soluble fiber, which can help you lower your levels of blood glucose and cholesterol. Foods that contain this type of fiber include nuts, seeds, beans, lentils, peas and certain vegetables and fruits.
Recommended Intake
If you are a male aged 50 or younger, the National Academy of Sciences' Institute of Medicine recommends that you get 38 total grams of dietary fiber each day to meet your overall needs. Men aged 51 or older should get 31 grams of fiber. Women aged 50 or younger should get 25 grams of fiber, while women over the age of 50 should get 21 grams. For the best results, get your fiber from whole foods and foods that have not undergone refining or processing. You should also keep the skins on fruits and vegetables.
Supplements
To increase your hemorrhoid relief, your doctor may ask you to augment your dietary fiber intake with fiber supplements or stool softening products, the NDDIC notes. Examples of available products include methylcellulose and psyllium. While they do not provide the nutrient content of food-based fiber, they may be needed to gain treatment results.
Considerations
If you add fiber to your diet too rapidly, you can trigger side effects that may include abdominal bloating, cramps and flatulence, Medline Plus notes. To avoid these problems, add small amounts of fiber gradually. If you do develop side effects from overly rapid introduction, they will typically fade as the bacteria in your digestive system adjust to the presence of increased fiber. Ask your doctor for additional guidance and advice in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
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