Avoid these 7 things if you have haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are an unpleasant and very private condition. Anyone suffering from haemorrhoids can relieve some of the suffering by avoiding these seven things.

1. Personal Cleaning Products

Some soaps, washing powders and cleaning products may contain perfumes and other chemicals with ingredients that can irritate the tender skin around the anus.

Take care when cleaning, especially after using the toilet. Avoid using harsh chemicals; instead, opt for soft toilet paper and consider using moistened, disposable wipes. When showering, avoid vigorous scrubbing around the buttocks and anus.

2. Apple Cider Vinegar

Though completely natural, apple cider vinegar is not a cure-all. Simply because something is natural does not make it beneficial; in fact, vinegar in your diet can exacerbate the pain of haemorrhoids.

Maintaining a normal liquid intake is vital, as the body's digestive system uses water to regulate healthy bowel movements. Filtered fruit juices in moderation (as they have a high sugar content) can easily replace 'natural' remedies like apple cider vinegar. The best choice? Still water, chilled if you prefer.

Plan to consume roughly two litres of water a day. This does not mean having half a litre at breakfast, half a litre at lunch, and so on. Regulate and spread out your liquid intake so you avoid taxing your kidneys and bladder. Any undue pressure in your system, whether from a full bladder, swollen prostate, or bloated intestines, can worsen the effects of haemorrhoids.

Set a goal to steadily sip water throughout the day, increasing your intake during meals if desired. Avoid caffeinated and carbonated drinks.

If you find your sleep disturbed by night-time trips to the bathroom, set a general rule of thumb to stop drinking liquids at least an hour before bedtime.

3. Sitting for Extended Periods

Extended time sitting, whether on a cushioned chair, wooden chair, or bare toilet seat, can actually weaken muscles around the anus, leading to haemorrhoids. If you already have haemorrhoids, sitting for lengthy periods of time can make them worse.

A workday alternative to prolonged sitting is to get up every 15 minutes, even if only to walk to the end of a hallway and back. Some sufferers find relief by using standing desks.

At home, limit your time on the couch. Balance sitting with moderate exercise. Keeping your muscles supple and your torso limber will make digestion easier, relieving the pressure of haemorrhoids.

4. Straining During Bowel Movements

Unfortunately, in our hurried lives, we seem to compel even basic bodily functions to work on an artificially sped-up biological clock. Whether due to prolonged sitting, a lack of exercise, or a change in diet, slow bowel movements can occur from time to time. Rather than strain vigorously while going to the toilet, relax and try again later if at all possible.

Increase water intake to promote healthy bowel movements. Note any medications, including supplements such as vitamins and dietary pills, so your doctor can determine if side effects from them could be causing difficulty with elimination.

5. Delaying Toilet Use

While straining while on the toilet can be harmful, so too can be delay. Ignoring the natural signals your digestive tract sends can lead to compacted stools, which can back up from the natural storage area, the rectum, into the sigmoid colon and even into the descending colon.

Constipation worsens haemorrhoids, so when your body sends the signals to eliminate solid waste, pay attention. Relax, interrupt what you're doing, and go to the bathroom.

6. Low-Fibre Foods

Foods low in fibre increase the risk of constipation. Consuming more fibre eases the need to strain when eliminating. Foods high in fibre include:

• Pears
• Strawberries
• Many types of beans, including haricots, and Avocados
• Apples
• Carrots
• Many nuts and seeds, especially almonds and chia seeds
• Chickpeas
• Raspberries
• Dark chocolate

By contrast, low-fibre foods include highly processed snack foods, yoghurt, semi-soft and soft cheeses, most fish, eggs, smooth peanut butter, white rice, and strained soups and broths.

7. Scratching

No question - haemorrhoids can be maddening. The urge to scratch the itch and burning of haemorrhoids can distract even the most driven person from whatever important task is before her or him. Unfortunately, scratching around the tender, inflamed area only makes matters worse, as the haemorrhoids can bleed, become even more sensitive, or swell further.

Speak with your doctor about topical relief ointments or creams that can lessen the urge to scratch. Avoid tight-fitting clothes as they can rub against the haemorrhoids and aggravate them further.

If you are suffering from haemorrhoids for the first time in your life, consult your doctor to ensure an accurate diagnosis. If you are experiencing a flare-up, consider effective haemorrhoid treatments, such as those available online at trusted online pharmacies like Prescription Doctor. With the help of these sensible precautions, advice from medical professionals, and prescription treatments, haemorrhoids need not impair the quality of your life.