The carnivore diet eliminates all foods except meat and animal products, which may slow digestion and lead to constipation. This can result in hard stools that are more difficult to pass. This may increase your risk of hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids can be itchy and painful and may bleed when passing stools. Hemorrhoids can be internal (start above the dentate line and don’t hurt) or external (start below the dentate line and usually hurt). They can also be prolapsed (when internal hemorrhoids swell and hang out of the anus) or thrombosed (when a blood clot forms in the hemorrhoid tissue).
People may get hemorrhoids while on the carnivore diet because they do not consume enough fiber and water.
Fiber is a nutritional component responsible for bulking up stool, holding water in the digestive tract, and helping stool pass through the digestive tract more smoothly. It’s found in fruits and vegetables and plant-based proteins like beans and lentils. Not getting enough fiber in your diet may increase your risk of constipation and hemorrhoids. The carnivore diet does not include fiber.
Constipation typically causes hard, dry stools that are less frequent than typical stools. It may hurt to pass them. You may also experience blood in your stool.
If you experience hemorrhoids while following the carnivore diet, it’s best to talk with a doctor. They can examine and confirm the diagnosis of hemorrhoids and recommend treatment. They can also determine if something else is causing your symptoms.
Treating hemorrhoids typically involves:
- increasing dietary fiber
- using stool softeners
- increasing water intake
- applying topical pain relievers to hemorrhoids
Whether you eat fiber-rich foods or consume fiber as a dietary supplement, be sure to drink lots of water with it. Water can help soften stool, making it easier and less painful to pass.
Hemorrhoids frequently cause blood in the stool and pain during bowel movements. However, these symptoms can also result from more serious health conditions, so it’s best to talk with a doctor to rule them out, especially if you also have other concerning symptoms.
Hemorrhoids do go away after a while, but they can come back over time.
You may also be able to treat hemorrhoids with some home remedies like a sitz bath. Certain exercises can also help with prevention.