Got a bathroom problem? New guidelines urge more fiber, less scrolling

Health newsGot a bathroom problem? New guidelines offer ways to prevent hemorrhoidsGastroenterologists recommend increasing fiber and putting a time limit on toilet scrolling.Listen to this article with a free account00:0000:00 body:has(.jw-flag-floating) .article-hero__container, body:has(.jw-flag-floating) .article-hero__media-holder, body:has(.jw-flag-floating) #content { z-index: auto; } Add NBC News to GoogleRectal cancer deaths rising rapidly among millennials and young adults02:38Get more newsLiveonShareAdd NBC News to GoogleApril 29, 2026, 8:00 AM EDTBy Kaitlin SullivanIt’s a common problem that no one really wants to talk about. Subscribe to read this story ad-free Get unlimited access to ad-free articles and exclusive content.By age 50, at least half of adults will suffer through a bout of inflamed, itchy veins, or hemorrhoids, that are literally a pain in the butt. To avoid hemorrhoids and the constipation that causes them, the American Gastroenterological Association released new guidelines Wednesday recommending that people stop scrolling on the toilet and get the recommended daily amount of fiber. Getting enough fiber is the No. 1 diet consideration for hemorrhoid prevention, said Dr. Trisha Pasricha, a gastroenterologist at Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center in Boston. Men should aim to eat about 38 grams of fiber every day, while women should get at least 25 grams, “which is pretty hard to meet for the average American,” Pasricha said. Only about 5% of men and 9% of women get the recommended daily amount of fiber, according to recent estimates. With the new dietary guidelines urging a boost in daily protein, especially red meat, high-fiber foods might get left behind.“The protein isn’t the problem,” Pasricha said. “It’s what you aren’t getting when you’re focusing on the protein.” Dr. Waqar Qureshi, a gastroenterologist at Baylor College of Medicine in Houston who co-authored the new guidelines, said a diet that prioritizes animal-based proteins ov...