Published: 12/11/2014 - Updated: 03/08/2020
Author: Dra. Loredana Lunadei, PhD
So you want to heal your hemorrhoids and you don’t want them to come back. Well then, the key to solving this uncomfortable condition lies in your daily diet and your lifestyle, which includes exercise or practicing some sort of sport.
Don’t eat if you have hemorrhoids
The first thing to do is to establish a healthy dietary regimen. Remove the following foods so as to not aggravate your hemorrhoids, or to prevent them from appearing.
Excessive meat
Processed grains like flour, pastries, crackers, white rice, white bread, etc.
Products that contain refined sugar.
Spicy and heavily seasoned foods.
Foods with too much salt; you should reduce consumption of olives, salty sardines, mackerel, anchovies, etc.
You should not drink coffee in excess. The best thing to do is to completely avoid alcoholic drinks as well as tobacco.
-
MORE IN THE JOY OF WELLNESSThe power of Remaining Silent
On the other hand, there are foods that help prevent the appearance of hemorrhoids, and which reduce constipation, which is their primary cause.
Fiber
In this case, fiber is the primary food that you need to consume in all your meals. It is the key to preventing constipation, which later on causes hemorrhoids. You can find it in wheat bran, apples, peaches, broccoli, carrots, and others.
Be that what it may, do not change your diet suddenly overnight. You need to do this gradually so as to avoid making problems worse, or suffering from constant stomach pain or swelling. You should also increase your water consumption to at least 8 glasses a day.
Fiber softens fecal material and therefore makes it easier to pass through the anal canal as it moves through the intestines. This eliminates pressure and constipation, both of which are large factors to the appearance of hemorrhoids. Consuming water also acts as a softener, while also keeping the body hydrated.
-
MORE IN THE JOY OF WELLNESSDruids: Nature, Love, and Magic
Fruits and vegetables
Little by little, you should slowly introduce fruit into your daily diet, until including even four a day, just like vegetables. The most recommendable ones, for their high fiber content, are figs, oranges, plums, pears, apples, peaches, and vegetables like carrots, cauliflower and spinach.
Wheat bran
Specialists recommend consuming wheat bran daily. It should because one of the most highly esteemed foods for patients with constipation and hemorrhoids. You can sprinkle it on your breakfast juices, on your milk, fruit salads, and even on your soups and stews.
Other grains that you should include in your diet are rice, corn, oats, and whole grain bread.
Legumes
The most valuable legumes for their fiber content are lentils, green beans, fava beans, garbanzos, soy, and kidney beans.
Exercise
Physical activity prevents constipation and improves circulation, thereby preventing the accumulation of blood in the legs and preventing the appearance of hemorrhoids. Getting out to run or jog even just four times a week, or daily, for 20 minutes is great. If you can’t run, take long walks that allow you to maintain and improve your metabolism.
You need to avoid sitting all day. If you have a job that requires you to sit in front of a computer, try to get up and walk around every hour, and whenever you sleep, try to sleep on your side so you don’t place pressure on your anal canal.
Lifting heavy objects is another factor that causes hemorrhoids to appear. If you frequently lift heavy things, try to exhale while lifting, or inhale when you’re lowering the heavy object.
Home remedies for Hemorrhoids
As mentioned at the beginning, using creams, ointments, and home remedies should be complementary to a good diet. Here we are going to show you a few recipes that you can make at home, and therefor alleviate and reduce inflammation in the affected area.
Marigold extract
Mix marigold extract in an olive oil base and apply to the hemorrhoids. This extract is a natural anti-inflammatory and helps refresh and call the burning.
Aloe Vera
Apply the pulp from a small piece of ale directly to your hemorrhoids, especially after using the bathroom.
Tomato poultice
Place one cold tomato, sliced into sections, over your hemorrhoids. Apply pressure. The riper the tomato, the better. To do this, you can sit on top or you can lay down beside the tomato and apply it with gauze.
Seated baths
Take baths sitting down in cold water for a few minutes to alleviate the pain. This works because the cold has a certain analgesic effect. These baths should be done preferably in the morning and every day, even if you already have hemorrhoids, for preventive measures.
If you are already experiencing an anal prolapse that is causing you discomfort or recurring bleeding, you should see a specialist for an evaluation.
About the author