Why Do I Get Hemorrhoids
Have you heard that hemorrhoids are caused by sitting on a cold, wet surface? Or that you got them because you ate too much spicy food? Or that its a condition only older populations have to worry about? False, false and false again, Schmaing says.
The truth is that the exact method of hemorrhoid formation is unknown, she explains.
All that said, the experts do have some pretty good hunches about what may be triggering your latest flare-up. The most likely causes are increased pressure in your abdomen and pelvis, as well as a natural weakening of the body tissue surrounding your veins, which allows them to bulge.
Thats why hemorrhoids often occur in pregnant women, people who lift heavy objects like weightlifters and those who repeatedly push or strain to do their business, often due to constipation or diarrhea.
It also explains why many people think that piles are only a concern as you age. While its most common between the ages of 45 and 65, unfortunately, the reality is that you can get hemorrhoids at any age.
Even though what you eat or dont eat doesnt directly cause hemorrhoids, your diet can also play a huge role. For example, if you dont consume enough water or fiber, youre more likely to become constipated. With all that increased straining, well, you see how this all flushes out.
Fluids To Keep Things Moving
Adding healthy high-fiber foods to your diet is one of the most important things you can do to improve bowel health and prevent or alleviate your hemorrhoids.
However, if youre adding more fiber to your diet without increasing your fluid intake, you may worsen the constipation and straining that caused your hemorrhoids in the first place.
Your daily fluid needs depend on many factors, including diet, health, and physical activity. In general, you should aim for 11.5 to 15.5 cups of fluid a day.
Though any liquid can help you meet your daily fluid needs, water makes the best choice because it provides your body exactly what it needs without extra sugar or unnecessary calories.
When it comes to treating and preventing hemorrhoids, bowel health matters. For expert care from a team who specializes in the treatment of all types of hemorrhoids, call our office at 636-228-3136 or contact us online today.
You Might Also Enjoy…
Quick Read Why Do I Get Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhoids, also called the piles, are swollen veins in your anus or rectum.
- They can cause pain, irritation and bleeding but sometimes have no symptoms.
- Repeated straining during bowel movements is a common cause.
- Piles usually go away on their own, but over-the-counter creams or sitz baths can help.
- Consume more water and fiber and avoid lingering on the toilet.
By the time you turn 50, more than half of your peers will have experienced hemorrhoids at least once in their lives, proving that misery does indeed love company.
Hemorrhoids are extremely common, says Ashley Schmaing, a physician assistant at the Gastroenterology Clinic at Harborview Medical Center. And even then, the true prevalence is unknown because not everyone reports them to their healthcare provider or can even tell that they have them.
Recommended Reading: Daily Probiotic To Prevent Yeast Infections
They Can Increase Infection Risk For Some
Probiotics are safe for the vast majority of the population, but may not be the best fit for everyone.
In rare cases, the bacteria or yeasts found in probiotics can enter the bloodstream and cause infections in susceptible individuals .
Those at greatest risk for infection from probiotics include people with suppressed immune systems, prolonged hospitalizations, venous catheters or those who have undergone recent surgeries .
However, the risk of developing an infection is very low, and no serious infections have been reported in clinical studies of the general population.
It is estimated that only about one in one million people who take probiotics containing Lactobacilli bacteria will develop an infection. The risk is even smaller for yeast-based probiotics, with only about one in 5.6 million users getting infected .
When infections do occur, they typically respond well to traditional antibiotics or antifungals. However, in rare cases, deaths have occurred .
Research also suggests that people with severe acute pancreatitis should not take probiotics, as this may increase the risk of death .
Summary
People with compromised immune systems, venous catheters, recent surgery, acute pancreatitis or prolonged hospitalizations should avoid taking probiotics.
How Probiotics Might Be Bad For You
Because these good bacteria already exist in the body, theyâre considered safe for most people. But there are some things to consider.
They can trigger an allergic reaction. They might cause mild stomach problems, especially the first few days you start taking them. You might have stomach upset, gas, diarrhea, or bloating. Those symptoms usually go away after your body gets used to them.
If you have an immune system problem or another serious health condition, you may have a greater chance of issues. Some reports have linked probiotics to serious infections and other side effects. The people most likely to have trouble are those with immune system problems, people who’ve had surgery, and others who are critically ill. Don’t take probiotics if you have any of those issues.
Always talk to your pediatrician before giving probiotic supplements to your child. If you’re pregnant or nursing, you should also talk to your doctor before you try one.
Most probiotics in the U.S. are sold as dietary supplements. That means the companies that make them don’t have to test their products and show that they work or that they are safe. More research is needed to confirm that probiotics are safe and effective.
Ask your doctor which probiotics are the right ones for you. Be sure to stop taking them if you have any problems.
Show Sources
You May Like: Can Probiotics Help With Uti
Side Effects & Precautions With Probiotics Use
The most common adverse effect with probiotics usage is gastric symptoms. Though ideally used to treat the same, they may cause bloating, or have a mild laxative effect or cause constipation.
These effects are transient and not worrisome. If you find these effects unbearable, then you can reduce the dosage and consult a health practitioner as well.
There are certain concerns about administering probiotics to those with the weakened immune system . Microbes in probiotics are non-pathogenic, but in sensitive populations, it is best to avoid the use until accurate data is available.
Further use of D-lactate producing probiotics should be given with caution to patients at risk of developing D-lactose acidosis .
Those susceptible to allergies must consult a health practitioner before taking probiotic supplements.
When Should I See A Doctor About My Hemorrhoid Pain
If you have hemorrhoid pain for more than a few days despite changing your diet and adding probiotics, you need to make an appointment to see a doctor. You should see a doctor even sooner if you have excessive rectal bleeding, bleeding that will not stop, or feel lightheaded. This type of bleeding could be a sign of a more serious condition, and needs to be addressed as soon as possible.
Don’t Miss: Douglas Labs Multi Probiotic 15 Billion
Diet For Hemorrhoidal Sufferers: Tips For Preventing Hemorrhoids
1 in 20 people suffer from hemorrhoids, also referred to as piles. Symptoms range from mild irritation to extreme pain that disrupts your lifestyle.
Yet, certain techniques can prevent or provide relief for those affected by hemorrhoids. Your diet and lifestyle choices play a big role in managing this condition. Certain foods can help to reduce symptoms while others can cause a flare-up.
Read on to learn more about finding the best diet for those that suffer from hemorrhoids.
Probiotics Can Reduce Inflammation And Boost Immunity In Me/cfs
Immune responses in chronic fatigue syndrome are altered, and this further leads to the circulation of pro-inflammatory agents in the body.
Even gut inflammation and alterations in gut microbe can contribute to increased inflammation and lowered immunity.
An animal study suggests that probiotic treatment protects gut health and brain health from such alterations caused in the immune system.
However, the immunomodulatory action of probiotics benefits in inflammation beyond the gut.
This study lasted for 6-8 weeks and involved patients with chronic fatigue syndrome, ulcerative colitis, and psoriasis. Probiotic supplementation reduced production of pro-inflammatory agents in all the three inflammatory disorders.
In this study, probiotic supplementation reduced the levels of pro-inflammatory agents like Tumor necrosis factor-alpha and Interleukin-6 in chronic fatigue syndrome patients.
Also, probiotics supplementation is found to improve immune responses in healthy adults. They reduce inflammation and allergic symptoms.
These properties can help protect patients with ME/CFS from infections and reduce inflammation.
Quick Gist: Bacteria in the gut dictate immune responses and any imbalance in this microflora can lead to inflammation in the gut. Regular supplementation with probiotics can help strengthen immune responses in ME/CFS by balancing gut health.
Recommended Reading: Where To Buy Complete Probiotics Platinum
Reasons To Use Probiotics For Colds And Flu
Do probiotics for colds and flu really work? We’ll share five ways probiotics help, what they are, how they work to boost your immune system, and which ones are best.
Note: It takes time to build up the numbers of protective organisms in your digestive track. For best results, start taking live culture foods before cold and flu season gets into full swing.
Contents
What If You Put Fiber And Probiotics Together
With a deep background in detoxification and the application of nutrition and botanical medicine for creating digestive health, the question of fiber and probiotics began to pique my curiosity.
What happens if you put them together?
After all, the probiotics can facilitate gut health and the fiber can help move things along in your digestive tract. Seems like a winning combination, right?
The answer is a resounding YES, BUTyou need the RIGHT probiotics and the right combination of ingredients to truly make this winning combination come alive.
Research demonstrates that most strains of probiotics dont make it past your stomach. The reason is that as soon as these good bacteria and yeast strains hit your stomach acid, they essentially die.
Does this mean that probiotics are not good for you?
Not at all! Even dead, probiotics have beneficial affects on your digestive system and immunity. However, they do not seem to re-colonize in a gut that is lacking the necessary probiotics to begin with.
And thats the goalto re-colonize your intestines with plenty of good bacteria and yeast so that your gut ecology balances out and contributes to your overall health, energy and well-being.
So what strain of probiotics can make it past your stomach acid and change the environment of your intestines?
Recommended Reading: How Good Is Culturelle Probiotic
Constipation Symptoms And Causes
Constipation means different things to different people. I have met people who tell me that they move their bowels only once in every six to twelve days, and then only with the help of a strong laxative, and they accept this pattern as normal because they know nothing else. Would you accept this as normal bowel function, if you had experienced only this sequence since childhood?
Bowel activity associated with good health does vary considerably among normal people. For some a movement once every two days may be normal, and others may have three or more stools a day and be in perfect health. The criterion I use for deciding what is normal is that the stool should be moderately soft and easy to pass without pain or strain. The accumulation of feces between movements should not reach the point where severe bloating of the intestine and discomfort occur.
Constipation happens when the stool is hard, small and requires physical effort before it is passed. Under such demands, the abdominal muscles must contract, a deep breath must be held as the diaphragm is forced downward. This creates strong internal abdominal pressures to help force the contents out of the colon. This additional force from straining is necessary because the pressure from the contraction of the colon walls is inadequate to evacuate the compacted fecal mass.
What Role Should A Probiotic Play In My Ongoing Diet Following Hemorrhoid Treatment
Once you begin your regular diet of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, you can add a daily probiotic. These diets typically recommend avoiding dairy products, but the benefits of yogurt may outweigh the risk. Often, people opt to eat a high-quality yogurt at breakfast, drink a probiotic smoothie or take daily supplements. You will want to be careful not to over-do it, however. Too much can cause loose stools and diarrhea.
You will also need to avoid constipation in other ways. Eating high fiber foods and plenty of green, leafy vegetables will help. Staying hydrated and avoiding foods known to cause constipation are also important.
Read Also: Probiotics With Highest Number Of Strains
A Winning Combination For Your Digestive Health And Immunity
Upon learning all of this, I wanted to find a way for my clients to benefit from Bacillus subtilis.
But there was nothing on the market that combined this soil probiotic with the right amount of fiber and protein to allow it to thrive, thus improving gut ecology.
So I formulated my own product, called Living Fiber. Living Fiber is a unique product that combines the power of Bacillus subtilis with a proprietary form of the superfood, Jade Chlorella Pyrenoidosa one of the worlds oldest foods, and a proprietary prebiotic .
This combination creates a cleansing and detoxification powerhouse that can help improve the motility of your intestines, balance the good and bad bacteria in your gut and boost your energy and immunity.
Living Fiber is for you if you:
Living Fiber is not native to the human intestinal tract, so it provides its benefits while inside your body and is excreted out. What it does, is leave behind clean, balanced intestines, so that you can re-colonize your intestines with healthy bacteria and yeast.
Once your gut ecology is balanced with Living Fiber, you can reap even more rewards by consuming fermented foods and drinks, like cultured vegetables and probiotic liquids.
Living Fiber is FREE of: sugar, salt, wheat, soy, magnesium stearate, corn, milk, fillers, binders, flow agents, artificial colors and artificial flavors.
You deserve to feel your best and now you can, with the power of the right probiotics and fiber in Living Fiber!
3 ibid.
Probiotic Treatment Of Infectious Diarrhea
It is very difficult to perform a critical analysis of studies that have examined the use of probiotics for the treatment and/or prevention of infectious diarrhea. First, there are many etiological agents that cause infectious diarrhea , and the majority of the studies do not attempt to define the cause of the diarrhea. In addition, many of the studies involved only a small number of patients. Two of the more common types of infectious diarrheal diseases will be described in greater detail below, i.e., traveler’s diarrhea and rotavirus diarrhea.
Also Check: How To Get Good Probiotics
Why Apple Cider Vinegar
Apple cider vinegar has been a popular folk remedy for years. Recently, its become increasingly popular on the internet as a home remedy for just about anything.
Its made by fermenting the sugar from apples using a two-step process that turns the sugars into acetic acid. Thats the active ingredient in vinegar.
Acetic acid is astringent. Astringents shrink organic tissues, such as skin. Apple cider vinegar has also been shown to have antibacterial properties, which may help certain skin conditions.
Proponents claim apple cider vinegar may suppress inflammation, too. So, theoretically, it may relieve the swelling and irritation of hemorrhoids.
How Can I Treat Hemorrhoids At Home
While a case of the piles can disappear as quickly and randomly as it popped up, there are a few home remedies you can try to prevent future occurrences or help move things along if youre currently dealing with a flare-up.
For starters, put away your phone. If youre among the 75% of Americans who admit to using their phones while on the toilet, heed this warning: Your habit of scrolling through your social media feed while on the can may prolong your pushing and straining when you go number two. Its better to do your business and then be on your way.
Another preventive measure is to up your water intake and increase your fiber to keep your plumbing working properly. If youre really constipated, you can consider an over-the-counter laxative or stool softener as well.
For uncomfortable hemorrhoids, Schmaing suggests pain-relieving creams, witch hazel, warm sitz baths or moist towelettes to help soothe the affected area.
If these treatments are ineffective, a healthcare provider may be able to prescribe other creams or medications, she adds.
You May Like: California Gold Nutrition Lactobif Probiotics
Should I Talk To My Doctor Before Using Probiotics Regularly
For the vast majority of people, probiotics are safe. Even if they do not help you, they are unlikely to cause any serious side effects with regular serving sizes or dosages. You may want to talk to your doctor before you add them to your diet, however.
Probiotics should still be considered a supplement to the diet and any medications prescribed for your post-hemorrhoid treatment. They are not a replacement for the recommended course of action from your doctor. It is especially important to talk to your doctor before using a probiotic if you are immunosuppressed or have other GI concerns.
How Can Probiotics Help Address These Causes
As a part of a healthy, high-fiber diet, probiotics can help you ease constipation and get back on a regular schedule. And in this way, they may be able to help ease your hemorrhoid pain.
Curing your bathroom woes is key to reducing your hemorrhoid pain. A change in diet can usually do wonders. Add high fiber fruits and vegetables, eat only 100 percent whole grains, and drink plenty of fluids. If you want to add yogurt or another probiotic as well, it may help ease your bowel movements.
Probiotics are good bacteria that can help regulate the gastrointestinal tract. There are many different types of this bacteria, most commonly Lactobacillus or Bifidobacterium. Most people can eat foods with probiotics or take supplements with probiotics safely. If you have a compromised immune system, however, you may want to talk to your doctor before you add it to your diet.
Choosing a high-quality probiotic is important, however. Read the labels carefully and try not to choose a product with ingredients that might cause additional intestinal troubles, such as artificial sweeteners.
Don’t Miss: Which Probiotic Supplement Has The Most Strains
