What should patients with hemorrhoids avoid eating?

Aug 26, 2025 Source: Cainiu Health

Dr. Li Jingxiang

Introduction

Under normal circumstances, patients with hemorrhoids should generally avoid eating spicy foods such as chili peppers, fried chicken, alcoholic beverages, lychees, and celery that has not been thoroughly cooked. They should also avoid medications such as aspirin enteric-coated tablets, phenolphthalein tablets, Salvia miltiorrhiza tablets, tetracycline tablets, and prednisone tablets. If in doubt, it is recommended to seek medical advice in advance. Patients with hemorrhoids should maintain a light diet in daily life and consume more easily digestible foods rich in dietary fiber.

Generally, patients with hemorrhoids should avoid eating spicy foods such as chili peppers, fried chicken, alcoholic beverages, lychees, and uncooked soft celery. They should also avoid certain medications such as aspirin enteric-coated tablets, phenolphthalein tablets, danshen tablets, tetracycline tablets, and prednisone tablets. If there are any concerns, it is recommended to consult a doctor in advance. Detailed explanations are as follows:

I. Foods

1. Chili Peppers: Chili peppers contain capsaicin, which can irritate the mucous membranes of the rectal and anal areas, causing local blood vessel congestion and dilation, worsening hemorrhoid swelling and pain, and even triggering rectal bleeding, which is not conducive to recovery.

2. Fried Chicken: Fried and greasy foods are difficult to digest, slow intestinal peristalsis, and may lead to constipation. Excessive straining during bowel movements may compress the hemorrhoids, aggravating pain and prolapse symptoms.

3. Alcoholic Beverages: Beverages such as白酒 (baijiu) and beer accelerate blood circulation, causing congestion and edema of the rectal venous plexus, increasing the risk of hemorrhoid bleeding and pain. They may also affect intestinal function, inducing constipation or diarrhea.

4. Lychees: Lychees are heat-inducing fruits; excessive consumption may lead to internal heat accumulation, causing constipation. Straining during bowel movements may compress the hemorrhoids, worsening local discomfort and potentially triggering an acute hemorrhoid attack.

5. Uncooked Soft Celery: Although celery contains dietary fiber, its coarse texture may irritate the intestinal mucosa and hemorrhoid surface when not cooked thoroughly. During bowel movements, it may rub against the hemorrhoids, causing pain or bleeding, especially needing to be avoided by patients during an acute hemorrhoid phase.

II. Medications

1. Aspirin Enteric-Coated Tablets: Aspirin is a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug with anti-platelet aggregation effects, which may affect coagulation function. Hemorrhoid patients taking aspirin may experience an increased risk of bleeding, especially needing to strictly avoid it during episodes of rectal bleeding from hemorrhoids. Its use should be evaluated under a doctor's guidance.

2. Phenolphthalein Tablets: These are stimulant laxatives that can promote short-term bowel movements but long-term use may lead to intestinal dysfunction, worsening constipation. They may also irritate the mucous membranes of hemorrhoids, which is not conducive to recovery. They are now less commonly used for routine bowel regulation and should be used strictly following medical advice.

3. Danshen Tablets: Danshen tablets promote blood circulation and remove blood stasis, which may dilate blood vessels, leading to congestion and swelling of the hemorrhoidal venous plexus, worsening hemorrhoid prolapse or bleeding symptoms. Patients during an acute hemorrhoid attack should avoid taking them and adjust medication according to specific conditions.

4. Tetracycline Tablets: Tetracycline belongs to the class of antibiotics. Some individuals may experience gastrointestinal discomfort after taking it, such as nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Frequent diarrhea may irritate the hemorrhoids, worsening local inflammation and pain. Hemorrhoid patients should choose appropriate antibiotics under a doctor's guidance and avoid self-medicating.

5. Prednisone Tablets: Prednisone is a glucocorticoid medication. Long-term use may reduce the body's immunity, affect local tissue repair, and may cause water and sodium retention, worsening hemorrhoid edema. It should only be used short-term in special circumstances and must strictly follow medical instructions to control dosage and treatment duration.

Hemorrhoid patients should maintain a light diet in daily life, eat more easily digestible foods rich in dietary fiber, develop regular bowel habits, and avoid prolonged sitting or standing. Medication use must strictly follow medical advice; self-medication or arbitrary adjustment of dosages should be avoided to prevent worsening of the condition.

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What should I do if I have bleeding during bowel movements due to internal hemorrhoids?

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