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Bowel problem. More fiber?

Frappuzzino
Frappuzzino Posts: 342 Member
edited September 2024 in Food and Nutrition
I don't eat much fiber that I'm aware of. I eat fruits and vegetables, but am not sure if I'm getting enough fiber. The last 2 times that I've made a bowel movement, there has been blood on the tissue. There is not blood in the stool itself, and not ALOT on the tissue but a noticeable amount. I don't have any discomfort in my stomach at all when making a bowel movement or at any other time.

Could this be due to lack of fiber?

Replies

  • morganadk2_deleted
    morganadk2_deleted Posts: 1,696 Member
    There is fiber in fruit and veg , can't see your diary so not sure what you are eating

    Go see a doctor, just to be on the safe side also drink water!
  • crystaltrejo
    crystaltrejo Posts: 263 Member
    that has hemorrhoid written all over it.
  • ShellyMacchi
    ShellyMacchi Posts: 975 Member
    increase your water ...
    for me i found all it took was upping my water to a minimum of 9 glasses a day... if i have less than that i have same problem.


    edited to add: oops... sorry.. *LOL* mis-read, that will teach me for glancing *L*.. but for sure, more water will still also help. If stools are dry and you are not going regularly especially
  • mssugarca
    mssugarca Posts: 75
    bood when pooing bad go see dr...hemroids maybe?
  • Awineburg
    Awineburg Posts: 196
    You might have hemorrhoids. Maybe you are straining to much when you go. It should be "natural" and you shouldn't need to force yourself. Have you tried drinking more water? Maybe try eating more fiber such as a fiber one bar or something like that and see what happens :happy:
  • RockaholicMama
    RockaholicMama Posts: 786 Member
    that has hemorrhoid written all over it.

    This is what I was thinking too. Increase your water. You need at least 8 glasses a day. Maybe try a stool softner as well. TMI - this happened to me after I had my daughter. I had her naturally without any drugs and my first BM was rough. Extra water and stool softner helped
  • DawnOf1969
    DawnOf1969 Posts: 726 Member
    yeah, sounds like hemorrhoids. that was my problem after giving birth to a 10 pounder. (baby). lol
    I started taking a natural supplement called Cascara Sagrada. It helps too. But drinking lots of water and eating lots of green veggies helps as well.
  • jeepwidow01
    jeepwidow01 Posts: 173
    When you input your food into your diary, you can change your settings so you can track your fiber as well. That will give you a better idea of how much fiber you are intaking. Plus, as others have suggested, up your water as well. If you are having a real bad burning sensation in that area when you have a BM, my guess would also be hemmeroids. Treat with preparation H or tucks medicated pads. If not, definitely call your doctor.
  • juldga
    juldga Posts: 119
    when that happened to me I was pregnat =-O
  • UGoGurl
    UGoGurl Posts: 7
    I haven't had the blood, but I used to only have bowel movements once every couple weeks. I know that is bad for you, because of the toxins and stuff. But anyway, my mom looked up "chronic constipation". Sometimes, it has nothing to do with how much you move, how much water you drink, and how much fiber you eat. When we are heavier, our body is unaccustomed to passing stool everyday. You need to reverse this cycle by finding NATURAL ways to pass the stool. (Other than eating fiber.) Now, I take flaxseed oil. You don't need to take it daily, llke the bottle says, but it will help you naturally have a bowel movement. Good luck.
  • SueInAz
    SueInAz Posts: 6,592 Member
    I can't see your food diary, but if you are getting less than 20-25 g of fiber each day, that could be the culprit. Hemorrhoids, which cause the bleeding you are seeing, are usually caused by straining when you're on the toilet or with some women they happen during pregnancy. If you're often constipated, you definitely need more fiber and probably more water.
  • cghiggins518
    cghiggins518 Posts: 48 Member
    hemorrhoid
  • juliapurpletoes
    juliapurpletoes Posts: 951 Member
    Metamucil and Miralax - godsend for me :smile:

    I agree with possible hemorrhoids, I have a very small one and does cause tiny bleeding every so often.

    Research more on the different kinds of fiber. Insoluble makes a softer gel in the intestine (psyillium husks, peas, rice potatoe, apples area few) and stool way easier to pass than soluble fiber foods (broccoli, lettuce, whole grains). Try to get a better balance of the two maybe??

    If you use metamucil follow the directions with plenty of water and spread it out during the day. Miralax is not habit forming at all and just helps the intestine hold fluids so the stool isn't as dry.

    Best of luck!
  • Frappuzzino
    Frappuzzino Posts: 342 Member
    My guess was possibly hemorrhoids too. I make a movement every 2 days or so. I went through my diary and noticed that I'm only getting 10g of Fiber a day usually. For lunch today I decided to eat some bran flakes to increase some fiber. I might also pick up some dried prunes. Where are psyillium husks sold?
  • poisongirl6485
    poisongirl6485 Posts: 1,487 Member
    Could also be an anal fissure--these are very small tears in the *kitten* opening, and can be caused if you're straining at all when you go #2. Hemorrhoids are also possible. I definitely recommend more fiber and possibly even a stool softener to prevent hard stools. The more straining, the more chance of bleeding.
  • juliapurpletoes
    juliapurpletoes Posts: 951 Member
    Where are psyillium husks sold?

    I'm not sure where you live but I have seen then at places like Target and Walmart, Trader Joes - any health store most likely.

    I use Metamucil - it is made with them. And, it comes in a lot of forms and flavors, sugar free as well. I would NOT recommend the capsules because you have to take ALOT of them and to me it takes too much water to get them all down. I just use 1tsp of the powder form in 6-8 ounces of water and drink it down fast at the kitchen sink (before it gels in the glass!) 3 times a day.

    I swear by this stuff!
    :heart:
  • Better_Balance_2011
    Better_Balance_2011 Posts: 3,711 Member
    Hemorrhoids for sure. Not to be graphic, but my sister who is a doctor once told me as long as the blood is bright and not sludgey and dark, it is not an internal issue. I have this issue too. I drink Citrucel(fiber w/o the gas) almost daily and used to take stool softeners every day. I think a lack of fat may also be culprit b/c when I eat fatty foods or a lot of oils, it seems to speed things along. Dehydration may contribute as well as I have noticed this problem to be worse if I happen to have a weekend where I drink a lot. :drinker:
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