Your lifestyle can make a difference in preventing Haemorrhoids

As with all things, prevention is the most effective treatment. Your day-to-day lifestyle does make a difference in preventing haemorrhoids. Maintaining a proper diet and adequate hydration are both key to having normal bowel movements and preventing haemorrhoids.

Often, hemorrhoid symptoms occur due to the passage of hard stool and constipation, or diarrhoea and frequent bowel movements. If you are experiencing frequent constipation, you may want to adjust your diet to one that contains more fibre rich foods, drink more water for better hydration, or consider the use of stool softeners. If you are experiencing bowel movements that are too frequent, you may need to adjust your diet or use anti-diarrhoea medications. Following these preventive measures will help decrease the amount of strain needed to have a bowel movement, which in turn will decrease the pressure within the blood vessels to prevent swelling. Here is a list of simple ways you can prevent symptomatic hemorrhoids:

  • Increase your fibre intake. Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole-grain breads, and fibre-rich cereals will provide you with a good source of fibre. By including these foods in your diet, your stools will be softer which will help you avoid constipation and diminish any discomfort during bowel movement.
  • If constipation is a regular problem for you, counsel with your doctor or healthcare specialist about the use of a gentle laxative or other natural products, or foods, which will have the same effect.
  • Get regular exercise to aid digestion and regular bowel movements. You could try walking or yoga if you are after a more gentle form of exercise.
  • Drink plenty of fluids, not including caffeinated and soda drinks, which will cause dehydration and constipation.
  • Go to the toilet when you feel the need.
  • Avoid straining during bowel movements.
  • Avoid sitting on the toilet for longer than necessary