Do you frequently suffer from hemorrhoids, a pesky anal condition characterized by burning, itching, and sometimes bleeding from the anal opening? If so, you’re probably desperately on the hunt for ways to prevent them in the future. In this blog, we’ll answer some questions like can hemorrhoids be prevented, how can I prevent hemorrhoids at home, and why do I get hemorrhoids so easily.
How Can I Prevent Hemorrhoids at Home?
If you’re wondering “can hemorrhoids be prevented” or “why do I get hemorrhoids so easily”, take a look at the following tips. Keep in mind that these are best practices on how to avoid hemorrhoids, so failing to follow them could be why you keep getting hemorrhoids!
Tip #1: Wait Until You Really Have to Go
One of the best tips we can give you is to reduce the amount of time you spend waiting around for nature to take its course. By waiting until you really have to have a bowel movement, you spend less time sitting and straining on the toilet. This leads us to our second tip:
Tip #2: Don’t Push or Strain at All
Any amount of pushing or straining while defecating puts unnecessary pressure on your anal opening – and, guess what? It doesn’t even help that much. Instead, get up if your bowel movement isn’t going anywhere. Or, try a different position on the toilet.
Tip #3: Take a Stool Softener
If you find that you’re constantly needing to push or strain during bowel movements, you might be a bit constipated. Try taking a stool softener for a few days to loosen everything up. Remember that the goal is a quick bowel movement with no straining whatsoever.
Tip #4: Eat More Fiber
If you aren’t getting enough fiber in your diet, your bowel movements will be smaller and may even form into pellets, making them extremely difficult to pass all in one sitting. Try increasing your intake of fiber. It’s always healthier to do this with fruits and vegetables, but if you find this isn’t enough, a supplement like psyllium husk may do wonders for you.
Tip #5: Drink More Water
If it seems like this is the answer to all health problems, you’re not crazy. Drinking water is a great way to help your body regulate all different types of issues. Your body needs more water than you think, and by supplying your body with the H20 it needs, you’re decreasing its desire to pull necessary liquid from your stool to compensate. Dryer stools are more difficult to pass.
Tip #6: Reduce Your Consumption of “Binding” Foods
Some people can get away with eating tons of dairy products without issue, but most of us might need to cut back on cheese and milk in order to stay regular. Give this a try if you’re running out of options, keeping in mind that there are some pretty good substitutes available now.
Tip #7: Get Some More Exercise
A body in motion is more likely to stay regular – and healthy – than a body that doesn’t. This probably isn’t your favorite tip we have for you, but it’s just as effective as the others, if not more so. You don’t even need to get intense physical activity; a walk up and down the road is good, too.
It’s Too Late, I Already Have Hemorrhoids: What Do I Do?
You can follow the same tips above when treating hemorrhoids, but also include the use of sitz baths, hemorrhoid creams, cleaning the area gently with witch hazel and a cotton ball, and avoiding sitting when possible. Hemorrhoids should clear up in about a week, but if you notice that your symptoms drastically worsen or have not gotten better in two weeks, get in touch with a colorectal specialist.