Constipation is a health condition where there is difficulty moving the bowels resulting in a hard feces. It results in straining during bowel movements, increasing pressure in the lower intestinal tract in an attempt to expel the feces. The pressure from the fecal matter in the lower intestinal region (i.e., rectum) and from repeated straining results in the formation of hemorrhoids. This condition refers to the enlargement of the veins in the rectal area. Sometimes it is harmless, causing no pain or discomfort if small enough. However, sometimes, these become inflamed and painful. It can bleed and cause complications like blood loss and anemia.
Treatment
There are many ways of treating this condition. Methods are basically categorized into preventing constipation and reducing the inflamed veins themselves.
Reducing constipation includes changing diets. Eating more fiber is recommended. Fiber helps create bulk by attracting water to the fecal matter. More water within the feces means easier passage through the colon, rectum and eventually out of the anal region.
What is Metamucil?
This is a psyllium husk fiber supplement. It helps to soften the stool, making it easier to expel from the digestive tract. Over time, the hemorrhoids are given a chance to heal because of the reduction in pressure and irritation from hard stools.
Metamucil is available in different forms. The most commonly used is the powder form that comes in single dose packets. It is also available in wafer and capsule form. This fiber supplement is added to food or beverages and ingested. This supplement is also used for other concerns like diarrhea (mild to moderate forms) and for reducing cholesterol. For inflamed veins in the rectal region, Metamucil is taken 3 times per day. If using the powder form, 1 tablespoon is mixed to any food or beverage. If using the wafer form, take 2 of it 3 times each day. Take only one form during treatments. That is, if opting to use powder, use it for the whole duration of the treatment process. For instance, do not take wafer form in the morning and powder form at night. While all these forms may provide the same general purpose different formulations act differently and are metabolized at different rates. Mixing the different forms may cause some untoward effects.
The question is: “Is Metamucil effective to relieve constipation and help treat hemorrhoids?”
Experts agree that this fiber supplement is effective to some degree. It does effectively soften the stool by attracting water towards the feces. Water is very important because it makes the stool soft and easy to expel. The hard feces also irritate the lining of the colon and rectum as it passes. By softening the stool, there is easy passage and less irritation of the intestinal lining.
This way, straining during bowel movements is avoided. It also reduces the irritation of the intestinal lining as the feces passes through. All these help to relive the cause of hemorrhoids and provide a chance for the inflammation to heal.
Caution should be exercised, however. Some people experience side effects such as headaches, nausea, pain and diarrhea. Some even experience worsening of constipation. According to health experts, these side effects are often dose-related. Try to use lower dosages and gradually increase the frequency of such doses to reduce these unpleasant side effects.