Janice from Houston sent us this question: “I suffered with hemorrhoids for many years. Three months ago, I developed an anal fissure, and it was very painful. My friend who has gluten intolerance recommended I stop gluten. I did a gluten free diet for one month and the fissure healed. Does gluten irritate hemorrhoids and anal fissure? Thank you”.
Dear Janice,
The most cause for hemorrhoids and anal fissure is constipation, low fiber diet and sitting on toilet for long periods. Another common cause is increased abdominal pressure with pregnancy, obesity or heavy lifting. Gluten insensitivity and celiac disease affect the small bowel are not directly associated with hemorrhoids or anal fissure development. Gluten stimulates the immune system in the small bowel resulting in damage to small bowel lining. This causes nutrient malabsorption, diarrhea and flatulence. Changes in bowel habits secondary to gluten intolerance may exacerbate hemorrhoid related symptoms. Furthermore, damage to intestinal lining causes bacteria and toxins to leak inside the blood. The blood vessels that carry these toxins from the intestines to the liver for detoxification constitute the portal circulation. Increased blood pressure in the portal circulation is a direct cause of hemorrhoid development. There are however no published studies about the effect of gluten intolerance on portal blood pressure changes.
To summarize, hemorrhoids are dilated blood vessels of the lower anus. There are no published studies to evaluate the effect of gluten on hemorrhoid development or symptom exacerbation. However, if you experience consistent improvement in hemorrhoid related symptoms with a gluten free diet and worsening symptoms when you resume gluten intake, I recommend you adopt a gluten free diet. I also recommend hemorrhoid banding; a simple, safe and painless office-based procedure that reliably eliminates symptomatic hemorrhoids.
If you’re experiencing issues with hemorrhoids, give us a call at 832-915-2529. We can help you.
