Abdominal pain or bloating is not normally as a direct result of hemorrhoids. However, a few of the things which CAUSE the hemorrhoids including, constipation and bowel problems including excess gas or diarrhoea can give you abdominal pain and bloating.
By the end of this article I will try to give you some idea as to why your abdominal symptoms may not necessarily be specifically caused by the hemorrhoids, but that they can instead be a side effect of whatever has caused the hemorrhoids.
OK, to start with, lets talk a little about your hemorrhoids and this feeling of abdominal pain or bloating.
Hemorrhoids & Abdominal Pain And Bloating
I decided to write this article as many people will associate abdominal pains with their hemorrhoids when in most cases this is not so and we will discuss this.
The reason people think this is that a couple of the main hemorrhoid causes are becoming constipated or eating particular foods which irritate the anal area and cause hemorrhoids.
Without question constipation can cause abdominal pain and eating particular foods can be to blame for feeling bloated.
I guess you have arrived here however because you are suffering with abdominal pain or bloating, so let us discuss the reasons you could be getting these symptoms and their possible causes. I very much doubt if they are caused by your hemorrhoids.
Here Are 3 Of The Most Common Causes Of Abdominal Pain Or Bloating
1. Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Irritable bowel syndrome, also called IBS is more common in ladies. No one really knows what causes IBS but the symptoms often include constipation (or diarrhoea). You may also get abdominal cramps and bloating. To treat IBS, along with various medications, you also need to change your diet and I would even go as far as to say you need to change your overall lifestyle.
One problem with IBS is that the symptoms often come and go.They have been known to last for weeks or even months which can really pull you down, especially if at the same time you are also suffering the pain of hemorrhoids.
Here is how to relieve IBS symptoms and also relieve piles or better still never get them in the first place…
Get lots of exercise
Keep a diary and note foods which worsen them
Relax as much as possible. Stress is bad.
Try Probiotics for a few weeks
Homemade food with natural ingredients will help abdominal problems as well as hemorrhoids
As well as these – try AVOIDING these things
Eat slowly and don’t skip meals
Fatty or spicy foods are bad for IBS and also hemorrhoids – Keep To A Minimum
Limit your fresh fruit to about 240 grams a day
DRINKS – Limit tea or coffee to around a total of 3 a day and keep alcoholic or fizzy drinks to a minimum
2. Hemorrhoids Biggest Enemies – Constipation And Diarrhoea
Hemorrhoids do not like Constipation and Diarrhoea.
When you are constipated, you push harder to pass a stool. Then what happens is that the anal and rectal veins swell up. And when they swell, you are now the proud owner of hemorrhoids, often known as piles.
Basically, sorry to be crude but they are a varicose vein in the arse. They come in two types. Number 1 is an external hemorrhoid, these are on the outside of the anus. Internal hemorrhoids are in the anal or rectal linings
Avoiding constipation and diarrhoea will help the abdominal discomfort, bloating and flatulence (farting), as well as helping to relieve hemorrhoids
Here’s some ideas…
Keep regular by eating porridge oats
Linseeds are very good, eat around a tablespoonful daily if possible
Avoid products containing Sorbitol
Foods like brussel sprouts, cabbage, cauliflower, dried fruit, onions and beans are hard to digest and cause bloating and wind – AVOID
Buscopan (from chemists) eases stomach cramps and that bloated feeling
Do not eat too much high fibre food such as wholegrain foods, brown bread and nuts
Diarrhoea can really upset hemorrhoids as well as causing abdominal pain. Medications like Loperamide (better known as Imodium will help)
3.Flatulence Or Gas – Also Known As Farting
What Is Flatulence
Flatulence or Farting as it is better known is the release of gas from your digestive system and out through the anus. It is caused by gas collecting inside your digestive system. Although it can be embarrassing, it is completely natural.
Gas builds up in a couple of ways. The first is when you eat or drink, you can swallow air. This then causes two gases, oxygen and nitrogen to increase in the digestive system. Secondly, other gases such as hydrogen, methane, and carbon dioxide also increase as you food is digested, giving you flatulence (wind). Either form of gas production can cause flatulence stomach ache and bloating.
What Causes Flatulence
The main cause is eating various foods which take a long time to digest. These foods include, Apples, Prunes, Lentils, Beans, Broccoli, Cabbage, Prunes, Fruit Juices. Also anything containing Sorbitol should be avoided.
The one thing that the above foods all have in common is that they take a long time to digest, this is why farts smell so bad as the food has been stuck in your system for ages. The body cannot absorb these foods so they pass out of the intestines and into the colon, when they have not been digested properly. The colon contains bacteria which breaks down the food but unfortunately as they do so gas is released. It is all these gases building up in the digestive system that causes abdominal pain, bloating and of course wind.
To Conclude
Whilst we can safely say that as a rule hemorrhoids do not normally cause abdominal pain or bloating, a few of the actual CAUSES OF HEMORRHOIDS such as constipation, diarrhoea or eating the wrong types of food can cause these abdominal problems.
I hope this has answered the question reasonably well and hopefully your hemorrhoids will soon be gone.
