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The natural health movement recommends psyllium husk as an effective treatment for hemorrhoids. While psyllium can be incorporated into a regular diet to help prevent hemorrhoids, it won’t do much to treat them once they have developed.
Psyllium is a soluble fiber, which is why it’s a great supplement to incorporate into your diet to help prevent hemorrhoids. Psyllium comes from a plant called the Plantago Ovata and is available in many forms including psyllium husk, psyllium husk powder and psyllium seeds. Like all fibrous foods, it will help make your stool bulkier and easier to pass. Psyllium can easily be added to foods such as breakfast cereal or yogurt daily to provide a host of benefits.
Psyllium is often recommended as part of a healthy diet for its ability to support weight loss and help lower cholesterol. Additionally, like any fiber, it will help prevent a plethora of digestive conditions like diarrhea and constipation – both common causes of hemorrhoids.
Often times, patients wait too long to seek physician administered treatment for their hemorrhoids because of their desire to find an effective natural remedy on their own. Natural measures can sometimes help in the prevention of hemorrhoids (as with fiber), or may help to sooth symptoms when they develop, however they are not effective in definitively treating the disease.
Psyllium is a terrific addition to diets lacking in fiber and is associated with many health benefits, however, it should be used as a preventative measure, not as an effective treatment for hemorrhoids once they have developed. It is best to consult a physician before adding psyllium to your diet to ensure its right for you.