In my practice as a registered dietitian I see some patients who are struggling with hemorrhoids. On Instagram @AndreaHardyRD, I talk all about hemorrhoids, what they are, how you get them and how to manage them!
Hemorrhoids are not only uncomfortable to have, they can be an uncomfortable topic for patients! So of course, we’re talking about it 😂
They can cause much worry when you notice blood in your stool or on the toilet paper. Always talk to your doctor if passing blood, they can do a visual exam to see if you have hemorrhoids contributing!
Hemorrhoids are kinda like varicose veins in your rectum and anus. They can be really uncomfortable (especially when passing stool), get itchy, and bleed.
Usually patients think just constipation contributes to hemorrhoids, but so can diarrhea! Any straining or pushing can worsen them.
Pro Tips to Reduce Discomfort
- 💩ensure your stool is nice and soft if you tend towards constipation, by getting enough fibre, or using stool softeners, OR if you struggle with diarrhea, using strategies to reduce that and improve stool consistency and frequency (fibre supplements are your friend in both cases!)
- 🚽know how to poop. Have a stool or squatty potty to ensure your knees are above hips, and learning to ‘relax’ the stool out instead of push can be very helpful. Pelvic floor physios are the BOMB at teaching you how to relax and breathe out your stool (it sounds wild, but check out @the.belly.whisperer for tons of great tips).
- 🧻Wipes that have witch hazel or other cooling ingredients can be SO helpful and soothing, like anusol or tucks wipes
- 🛁Sitz baths are essentially baths for your butt (if you want you can just do a regular bath too!) with adding epsom salts or baking soda, it helps to relieve the discomfort and itching
- 🧴Hemorrhoid cream or medicated suppositories can reduce swelling and pain (Lol being a teen in the late 90’s early 2000’s had me putting hemorrhoid cream on my FACE. 1) I didn’t need it. 2) who remembers that trend?!)
Hemorrhoid questions anyone?
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