Can Constipation Cause Hemorrhoids?

Many factors contribute to the formation and severity of hemorrhoids, constipation being a leading factor. Constipation is a condition where passing stools becomes extremely difficult and may require a lot of straining. This straining puts excessive pressure on the blood vessels of the rectal and anal region, creating ideal conditions for the development of hemorrhoids. Hence, it is important to prevent constipation by curbing its contributory factors.

Common Causes of Constipation

Here are some common causes of constipation:

• Low Fiber Diet: Low fiber content in your diet is a major cause of constipation. The presence of fiber in the diet helps in preventing the formation of hard and dry stools that require more straining, leading to constipation.

• Low Fluid Intake: Fluids like juices and water add bulk and softens the stools, which aids in easier bowel movements, thus preventing constipation.

• Medications: Some medicines like antispasmodics, pain medications (such as narcotics), antidepressants, diuretics, iron supplements and anticonvulsants can cause hindrance of bowel movements

• Not Enough Exercise: Not getting enough exercise often leads to constipation, as can be seen in patients who are bedridden.

• Overuse of Laxatives: Excessive use of laxatives can damage the nerve cells of the colon and hinder the natural ability of the colon to contract. This results in the loss of proper bowel movement.

Tips to Prevent Constipation

Constipation can be easily prevented with some lifestyle changes:

• Increasing the fiber content in your diet: It stimulates bowel movements and makes the stool softer and bulkier.
• Increasing fluid intake: Helps make the stool softer enabling easier bowel movements. However, caffeinated drinks can have a dehydrating effect, so it is better to avoid too much coffee, tea or soft drinks as a source of fluids.
• Your diet should also have an optimum amount of fat. Very low fat content leads to the formation of hard stool, whereas too much fat causes problems in the digestive system. The type of fat in olive oil, canola oil, flax oil and almond oil provides relief from inflammation in the digestive system.
• Do not ignore the urge to pass stools and do not strain too much during bowel movements.
• Moderate exercising, such as a 20 to 30 minute walk everyday, can help ease bowel movements and prevent constipation.

Foods with High Fiber Content

Fiber will help in the formation of softer and bulkier stool, thus preventing constipation as well as hindering the development of hemorrhoids. Water is also needed for the proper digestion of fiber. Here is a table of food items with their respective fiber content:

Fruits	Size	Fiber Content
peach	1 medium sized	2 grams
apple	1 medium sized	4 grams
tangerine	1 medium sized	2 grams
pear	1 medium sized	4 grams

 

Vegetables	Serving size	Fiber Content
fresh, cooked broccoli	1 cup	4 grams
fresh, cooked carrot	1 cup	1.5 grams
fresh, cooked brussels sprout	1 cup	4 grams
fresh, cooked cauliflower	1 cup	4 grams
fresh, cooked spinach	1 cup	4 grams
fresh, cooked zucchini	1 cup	2.5 grams
romaine lettuce	1 cup	1 gram
raw tomato	1 cup	1 gram
fresh, cooked acorn squash	0.75 cup	7 grams
fresh, cooked cabbage	1 cup	4 grams
fresh cooked asparagus	1 cup	3 grams

 

Grains	Serving size	Fiber content
cooked white rice	1 cup	1 gram
cooked brown rice	1 cup	3.5 grams
plain, cooked oatmeal	0.75 cup	3 grams
bran flake cereal	0.75 cup	5 grams
whole wheat bread	1 slice	2 grams

 

Starchy vegetables	Serving size	Fiber content
fresh, cooked potato	1 cup	3 grams
fresh, cooked lima beans	1 cup	9 grams
fresh, cooked black eyed peas	1 cup	8 grams
fresh, cooked kidney beans	1 cup	12 grams