What foods should be avoided if there is bleeding from internal hemorrhoids?

Written by Deng Heng

Colorectal Surgery

Updated on January 14, 2025

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Internal hemorrhoids bleeding is the main clinical symptom of internal hemorrhoids; the amount of bleeding can vary greatly and is usually bright red. It can spray out or drip out. Patients with internal hemorrhoids bleeding are advised to avoid eating chili peppers and drinking alcohol. This is because chili peppers contain a component called capsaicin, which strongly irritates the gastrointestinal mucosa and can dilate blood vessels, exacerbating the bleeding. Alcohol can also dilate blood vessels and worsen the bleeding.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

54sec

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How to treat internal hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are divided into internal, external, and mixed types. The clinical symptoms of internal hemorrhoids mainly include local pain, prolapse, and rectal bleeding due to rupture. If there are recurrent episodes or associated inflammation, there may also be an increase in secretions, which can irritate the local skin around the anus and cause itching. Therefore, the primary treatment for internal hemorrhoids involves the use of suppository hemorrhoid plugs. If there is accompanying bleeding, it is also necessary to combine this with oral hemostatic medications. In cases of perianal itching, options such as sichuan pepper water or other insecticidal and anti-itch traditional Chinese medicine washes can be used for fumigation and hot compresses on the affected area.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing

Colorectal Surgery

58sec

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Will internal hemorrhoids be painful?

If internal hemorrhoids experience local mucosal rupture or repeated prolapse leading to friction of the mucosa, it is likely to cause pain and even bleeding. To avoid pain caused by internal hemorrhoids, it is recommended that patients use hemorrhoid suppositories for local administration in the rectum for early flare-ups to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and cool and stop bleeding. If internal hemorrhoids prolapse and cannot retract back into the anal canal on their own after each prolapse, it is suggested that patients consider surgery to ligate and excise the affected internal hemorrhoids, or inject sclerosants under the mucosa of the hemorrhoids to cause local mucosal consolidation and shedding. Patients with internal hemorrhoids are advised not to strain excessively during bowel movements to avoid worsening local congestion and edema.

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Written by Yu Xu Chao

Colorectal Surgery

1min 19sec

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What should I do about internal hemorrhoids?

In clinical practice, the treatment of internal hemorrhoids mainly depends on the symptoms presented by the patient, and an appropriate treatment method is selected accordingly. For example, patients with early-stage internal hemorrhoids who experience intermittent rectal bleeding are usually advised to use hemorrhoid suppositories or ointments after defecation. However, as the condition of internal hemorrhoids worsens, which might include prolapse or even symptoms of anemia, surgical treatment is often recommended. Clinically, surgery for internal hemorrhoids can involve sclerotherapy injections, hemorrhoidal banding, or other surgical methods such as PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids) or TST (Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization). Post-surgery, dressing changes are necessary, and products such as rectal cleansing solutions, oil gauze strips, or ointments are commonly used. Moreover, it is crucial for patients to maintain smooth bowel movements post-surgery to avoid wound infection, bleeding, or edema, and they should adhere to a light diet avoiding spicy, stimulating, and dry foods. (Please follow medical advice regarding medication use.)

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Written by Deng Heng

Colorectal Surgery

32sec

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Do internal hemorrhoids require surgery?

Surgical indications for internal hemorrhoids include bleeding and prolapse of anal masses. These symptoms necessitate surgical treatment. Secondly, if scheduling surgery is not possible due to being busy, conservative treatment like applying ointment to the anus or taking medication can be used initially to alleviate the symptoms. If conservative treatment fails, it is still not too late to opt for surgery. (Specific medications should be used under the guidance of a physician.)

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Written by Deng Heng

Colorectal Surgery

21sec

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Will internal hemorrhoids affect menstruation?

Internal hemorrhoid bleeding can potentially affect menstruation. Although brief internal hemorrhoid bleeding does not affect menstruation, if the hemorrhoid bleeding is heavy, prolonged, frequent, and occurs daily or frequently, exceeding the body's ability to replace the lost blood, it can cause severe systemic anemia. In such cases, it might affect menstruation.