4 Ways to Prevent Hemorrhoid Pain

It’s never easy to talk about issues you’re having “down there” and we understand why. However, leaving a problem like hemorrhoids to its own devices can leave you dealing with long-term pain and other complications. 

Our specialist at Northside Gastroenterology Associates, Dr. Ayub Hussain, knows how important information is to managing painful conditions like hemorrhoids. Here, he equips you with a few practical strategies that can safely manage your pain.

Why do I have hemorrhoids?

Before we dive into managing hemorrhoid pain, we want you to understand why you have hemorrhoids in the first place. 

Simply put, hemorrhoids are swollen veins that feel like bumps and develop externally around your anus or internally in your lower rectum. Anyone, regardless of demographics, can get a hemorrhoid (or multiple hemorrhoids), but there are some factors that increase your risk, including:

• Straining during bowel movement
• Sitting for periods of time
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Anal intercourse
• Lack of dietary fiber
• Overexertion or heavy lifting

Age may also contribute to an increased risk of hemorrhoids because the tissues in your rectum and anus that support your veins gradually weaken and stretch. 

The good news is that hemorrhoids are both easy to treat and easy to manage (some even go away on their own). But in the meantime, we want you to be prepared with pain management strategies. Here are four of our favorite hemorrhoid pain management tips. 

1. Adjust your diet

When you have hemorrhoids, one of the best places to start managing your pain is with your diet. First, we encourage you to get more fiber. 

Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that your body can’t digest. That may sound like a bad thing, but the fiber is actually a vital part of healthy digestion (and healthy bowel movements). Fiber makes your bowel movements more regular, and it gives your stool the “just right” bulk to pass easily. 

There are two main types of fiber: soluble and insoluble. Soluble fiber dissolves in water and is responsible for regulating your blood sugar levels and removing cholesterol through your stool. 

Insoluble fiber maintains its shape while it's in your body and helps with passing food through your digestive system. It also works with the water in your body to maintain regular, easy-to-pass bowel movements.

You can find both types of fiber in a variety of foods, including:

• Beans
• Lentils
• Oatmeal
• Peas
• Citrus fruits
• Blueberries
• Apples
• Barley
• Foods with whole-wheat flour
• Wheat bran
• Brown rice
• Cauliflower
• Potatoes 
• Tomatoes
• Cucumbers

We can also point you toward a fiber supplement to help you get even more of this important nutrient. Your goal should be to get around 20-30 grams of fiber every day. 

In addition to a fiber-rich diet, it’s also important to replenish your body and your digestive system with helpful fluids. By that, we mean water and other liquids — not alcohol. The more hydrated you are, the softer your stools will be.

2. Tweak your bathroom routine

Gone are the days when you could mindlessly “do your business.” Now, you have to have a game plan. Do your best not to strain while you’re on the toilet and don’t get distracted scrolling through social media — these bad habits can increase the strain on your veins and trigger painful pressure. 

We also recommend that you go as soon as you feel the urge to move your bowels. If you wait too long, your stool may dry up and become much harder to pass.

3. Take a soak

Sometimes the best way to manage hemorrhoid pain also gives you an excuse to relax in a warm tub. Try soaking in a bathtub or sitz bath filled with warm water to relieve pain. Some find that adding Epsom salts helps to relieve discomfort even more.

4. Try topical treatments

There are many effective topical treatments you can easily apply to your hemorrhoids to quickly relieve pain and itching. Talk to us about which product is best for you.

5. Get moving

The last thing you may want to do is to exercise, but exercise and regular movement is incredibly important to reducing pressure on your veins, losing excess weight, and preventing painful constipation. 

Still struggling with what to do about hemorrhoids? We’d love to talk with you. Call or click to request an appointment at our Houston, Texas, office today.