Hemorrhoids Forum - Fiber supplements and hemorrhoids

Conditions and Diseases > Hemorrhoids Forum > Fiber supplements and hemorrhoids

Q: Fiber supplements and hemorrhoids

asked by: DoctorQuestion on July 31st, 2008

Is it normal for your body to become dependant on a fiber suppliment?
I was advised to take a fiber powder daily to help with the pain/bleeding of hemroids.
It works well for what it does, but I've noticed after a few months of use that even a day or two of forgetting to take it...it seems as though I'm in more pain/bleeding than I was before I started taking the supplement. Is it normal to become dependant on it to be normal? It's scary to think that now that I'm taking it, I have to ALWAYS take it or I'll be in lots of pain and bleeding worse than I was originally.

Replies(1)

Dr. Nikola Gjuzelov , MD

replied on August 1st, 2008

Hemorrhoids Answer A4513

Nobody can become dependent upon fiber supplements. The problem is that your hemorrhoids are not healed well. Whenever you take fiber supplements your stools become softer and soft stools don’t disturb the hemorrhoids during the bowel movement. When you don’t take fiber supplements your stools become harder and such hard stools cause bleeding and pain from the hemorrhoids during the bowel movement.

You may want to continue taking the fiber supplements but you may also want to consider other treating options (ligature, sclerotisation) for your hemorrhoids.

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