When the veins surrounding the lower rectum and anus suffer excessive pressure, they may swell, causing hemorrhoids. If the swelling causes the veins to burst, the hemorrhoids bleed, a condition that, though painful, is not life-threatening. In severe cases, doctors may perform a surgery to repair the veins, but for many cases of hemorrhoids, changes in your diet are recommended as an effective course of treatment while your body heals itself. One of the most common dietary treatments is an increase in both fluid and fiber intake.
Fiber and Digestion
The National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse recommends a high-fiber diet as a method for managing, preventing and treating bleeding hemorrhoids. Fiber is the indigestible roughage from edible plants. Because your body lacks the necessary digestive enzymes to break down fiber for energy, it passes through your digestive system intact, helping the digested parts of your food move along expediently. A diet that is high in both soluble and insoluble fiber prevents constipation, one of the major causes of hemorrhoids. Adjusting your diet to include foods that are naturally high in fiber promotes healthy digestion and prevents the swelling and pressure that causes bleeding from hemorrhoids.
Fiber-Rich Foods
Fiber is a dietary component of plant and plant-based foods. Whole grains, such as barley, whole-wheat pasta, bran, brown rice and wheat bread, have higher concentrations of dietary fiber than refined white flours or simple carbohydrates. Green vegetables, like artichokes, peas, turnip or beet greens, spinach and brussels sprouts are particularly beneficial on an anti-hemorrhoid diet because they deliver both fiber and water to aid digestion. Fruits do not generally have as much fiber as vegetables and grains, but raspberries, pears, apples and strawberries offer at least 4 grams in a standard serving. Beans, nuts and seeds, such as lentils, almonds and pecans, are also rich sources of dietary fiber.
Role of Fluids
A dramatic change in the fiber content of your diet can worsen the symptoms of bleeding hemorrhoids rather than alleviating them. If your body struggles to digest fiber, the extra bulk may become impacted in your intestines, causing bloating and constipation that promotes bleeding from difficult stools. One way to combat the potential hazards of a high-fiber diet is to adequately increase your fluid intake when you increase your fiber intake. Soluble fiber absorbs water throughout your digestive tract, creating a type of gel that promotes the passing of stool. If there is not enough water in your system, the fiber remains intact and bulky, potentially contributing to constipation. Drinking at least 64 ounces of water daily is likely to prevent constipation.
Supplements
If increasing your daily intake of natural fiber is difficult or impractical for medical reasons, research supports the notion that a fiber supplement has beneficial effects for preventing bleeding hemorrhoids. A study published in "Hepatogastroenterology" in November-December 1996 confirmed that incorporating a fiber supplement into the diets of patients with hemorrhoids improved internal bleeding, though the effects were not immediate. Doctor-prescribed fiber supplements allow you more control over the amount of fiber you are adding to your diet so you can more easily adjust dosage if constipation occurs. However, high-fiber foods also offer additional nutrition benefits, including a natural source of water to aid digestion.
