Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are clumps of swollen blood vessels in the anus or lower rectum that are itchy and can cause pain or even bleed, which can make sitting and going to the bathroom unpleasant.
If you’ve had hemorrhoids before or have never suffered from them, you may be asking yourself, “How can I prevent hemorrhoids from happening in the first place?”
Thankfully, hemorrhoids can be prevented with a few easy lifestyle changes.
Eat High-Fiber Foods
If you don’t have frequent bowel movements or suffer from constipation, you’re more likely to develop hemorrhoids. Getting enough soluble and insoluble fiber in your diet will keep your digestive system healthy and functioning properly, so be sure to add fiber-rich foods to your diet, such as:
- Beans
- Whole grains
- Vegetables
- Fruits
Drink Plenty Of Water
Do you find yourself regularly dehydrated or binging on sodas or other drinks? If so, it could be negatively impacting your digestive health, putting you at risk for hemorrhoids. Water helps prevents the constipation and straining that can lead to hemorrhoids, so drink up!
Avoid Long Periods Of Sitting
Many of us work desk jobs that involve hours of sitting and not moving. This can put a lot of pressure on the veins in the anus and rectum, which leads to the development of hemorrhoids. Be sure to take regular breaks to stand and move around when you are at work or at home.
Exercise Daily
Daily exercise not only helps maintain our heart health, but also our digestive health, as it helps strengthen the muscles in the intestinal tract. In turn, your body is able to digest food and expel waste more efficiently, helping prevent hemorrhoids.
If you lift weights, you are at risk of developing hemorrhoids if you do not use proper form and are pushing down towards your anus and not your abdominal wall. A professional personal trainer will be able to help you exercise safely and correctly.
Maintain A Healthy Weight
Obesity is another reason hemorrhoids can develop, as excess body weight can put pressure on the veins in your rectum and anus. Maintaining a healthy weight will help reduce your chances of developing hemorrhoids as well as other health problems like cardiovascular disease.
Have Healthy Bathrooms Habits
We generally think of something as natural as going to the bathroom as pretty easy and routine, but surprisingly there are several healthy habits that we all must observe. Some habits to prevent hemorrhoids and other bowel problems include:
- Don’t strain, as this puts unnecessary pressure on the veins in your rectum and anus.
- Go as soon as you feel the need. Holding it in can cause the stool to harden and become impacted.
- Don’t sit on the toilet longer than 5 minutes.
- Use moist towelettes to wipe, as they’re gentler than dry paper.
- Prop your feet up on a low stool to make the process more natural.
Don’t Overuse Laxatives
If you use laxatives to “get things going,” it is essential that you not overuse them as they can become habit-forming and interfere with your body’s ability to absorb medication and nutrients. In addition, laxative abuse prevents your colon from being able to contract, making constipation worse and leading to the development of hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoid Treatments
If you find yourself suffering from hemorrhoids or are experiencing unusual bleeding or blood in your stool, reach out to your doctor. They will be able to diagnose you and provide treatment options like The Nexus System rubber band ligation, which is an easy and pain-free way to remove hemorrhoids.
