Tips: How to Avoid and Prevent Hemorrhoids, Almoranas

The fight with Hemorrhoids is a battle we have to win everyday. I think of it as God’s way of keeping me alert as to what I am feeding and training my body on. If we look at it, we can see clearly that if we keep healthy and take care to exercise, we not only keep Hemorrhoids away, but as well as other illnesses that we might catch otherwise.

After treating your Hemorrhoids, you should focus your efforts to keeping it away. To fight off Hemorrhoids, there are 2 main rules to keep in mind.

1. Watch Our Diet.
2. Watch Our Activities.

Watch Your Diet

1. Make sure to eat a balanced meal with lots of fiber and water.Fiber keeps stool soft and lowers pressure inside the colon so that you can pass it easily.
   It is recommended that each person consumes 20 to 35 grams of fiber each day. Over 35 grams of fiber a day may cause excess bowel gas, and therefore some discomfort.
   The table below shows the amount of fiber in some foods that you can easily add to your diet.
   
   

   Fruits	Serving Size	Amount of Fiber
   apple	1 medium	4 grams
   peach	1 medium	2 grams
   pear	1 medium	4 grams
   tangerine	1 medium	2 grams
   Vegetables
   acorn squash, fresh, cooked	3/4 cup	7 grams
   asparagus, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	1.5 grams
   broccoli, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	2 grams
   brussels sprouts, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	2 grams
   cabbage, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	2 grams
   carrot, fresh, cooked	1	1.5 grams
   cauliflower, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	2 grams
   romaine lettuce	1 cup	1 grams
   spinach, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	2 grams
   tomato, raw	1	1 grams
   zuchinni, fresh, cooked	1 cup	2.5 grams
   Starchy Vegetables
   black-eyed peas, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	4 grams
   lima beans, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	4.5 grams
   kidney beans, fresh, cooked	1/2 cup	6 grams
   potato, fresh, cooked	1	3 grams
   Grains
   bread, whole-wheat	1 slice	2 grams
   brown rice, cooked	1 cup	3.5 grams
   cereal, bran flake	3/4 cup	5 grams
   oatmeal, plain, cooked	3/4 cup	3 grams
   white rice, cooked	1 cup	1 grams

2. If you eat cereal for breakfast, replace it with multiprogramming, wheat or all-bran cereals.
3. Decrease or eliminate caffeine and alcohol from your diet. They can cause small, dry stools.
4. Observe your body’s reaction to food. Make sure to avoid food that causes you too much gas, or diarrhea, as too much action ‘behind’ can trigger irritation.
5. Avoid known foods that harden stool.  Examples of fruits that might are star-apple, apple, banana. Take instead papaya, orange, green leafy vegetables. Remember to eat fruits and vegetable on an empty stomach, before taking any other food to get the most out of them
6. Avoid processed foods.
7. 
   Avoid eating too much meat. But fish, you can eat as much as you want, it is actually good for you.
8. Take lots of water breaks throughout the day.
9. Take Yakult, Yogurt or Kefir to aid digestion.
10. Take fiber supplements like Fibrosine if you are unable get enough fiber for the day.
11. If you have chronic Hemorrhoids, treat first with HemClear, and then reduce the dosage as a prevention supplement 2 capsules 1x a day, to strengthen your veins. You can get more information about HemClear here.

Watch Your Activity

1. Get proper rest. A good immune system is a great deal of prevention.
2. Exercise early in the day. Just a little stretching can get your body prepared and energized.
3. Enough exercise is key. Being sedentary is a no no. If you have a desk job, then you should plan for activity before going to work, when you get home, or during break time. A long walk, brisk walking, jogging, yoga or pilates will keep your blood flowing and pumping.
4. Watch how long you sit or stand. Shift your body’s position constantly.
5. Don’t overdo it. Don’t carry too much weight. And don’t exercise excessively especially without supervision and approval from your gym trainer.
6. Avoid straining when pooping. If it is a particular hard one, just take deep breaths and calm yourself while applying minimal pressure. I promise, it will go out soon enough.
7. Break the habit of reading while on the toilet. Reading actually can make you sit on the toilet longer than needed. This may cause strain on your precious bum. Just do your business and get out of the bathroom. Do your reading elsewhere.
8. Never schedule your pooping time. If you, like me, have been taught and trained to schedule your time in the throne room, this is a deadly habit (for your bum). You should not force yourself to poo when it clearly is not time to do so. Pushing is straining, so just wait it out.
   
   A simple planning of your diet can actually give your poo a schedule of its own accord. For example, if I eat fruits for breakfast, on an empty stomach, I know I will have to go do the deed within an hour after eating. Pretty neat, huh? So be observant and soon you will be able to get in tune with your digestive clock.

How to Cure Hemorrhoids or Piles

While these self-care methods may relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids, they won't make the hemorrhoid disappear. If you have a severe infection or don't feel relief after a few days, seek medical help and advice from your doctor.

 

Steps

1. Keep your anal area clean. Take tub baths several times a day in plain, warm water. ^[1] You do not need to use soap; in fact it could make the problem worse. ^[2] Moisture can cause irritation, so you may want to gently dry the anal area using a hair dryer. Cite error <cite_error_ref_no_input>; $2
2. Apply hemorrhoidal cream or suppository containing hydrocortisone to the affected area for a limited time. You could also try using pads containing witch hazel. Cite error <cite_error_ref_no_input>; $2
3. Apply a cold compress to the area in order to reduce swelling.
4. Use a sitz bath filled with warm water. A sitz bath is an over the toilet bath for your hips and buttocks. It can be used to ease the pain of hemorrhoids. ^[3] You can buy a sitz bath at a pharmacy or medical supply store
5. Increase your intake of fiber and fluids. Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of fluid (other than alcohol) each day. Eat fruits and vegetables. You may also want to use a stool softener or fiber supplement (like Metamucil or Citracel).
6. If these methods do not work, see a doctor. You should also see a doctor if your hemorrhoids cause pain or bleed excessively. In case you feel that your piles are getting worse you may need a procedure. Known as haemorrhoidal dearterialisation (THD) this procedure is not usually painful and is gaining popularity in the medical community.^[4]
   
   

Tips

• You will notice a marked improvement within 3 days. Don't quit this practice. If you wish to avoid this anus problem in the future, you will have to adopt this as an ongoing thing for as long as you live. Remember. Bacteria is the problem, and lots of Soap and Water is the answer!
• Bacteria play a key role in the complications of "the piles" or hemorrhoids, fissures ^[5] or dried cracking skin, itching, bad odor, etc.
• Your anus will become free of odor which may have clung to you in the past. This will indicate that you are free of bacterial action.
• This practice of washing after a bowel movement has been followed in India for many years, rather than the use of just toilet paper which we westerners commonly do.

Warnings

• Be sure to clean soap off all areas which you have washed to avoid irritation.

Things You'll Need

• Anti-bacterial soap. (It will tell you if it is anti-bacterial on the label of most brands.)

 

Hemorrhoids

Definition

Hemorrhoids (HEM-uh-roids), also called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins in your anus and lower rectum. Hemorrhoids may result from straining during bowel movements or from the increased pressure on these veins during pregnancy, among other causes. Hemorrhoids may be located inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids), or they may develop under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids).

Hemorrhoids are common ailments. By age 50, about half of adults have had to deal with the itching, discomfort and bleeding that can signal the presence of hemorrhoids.

Fortunately, many effective options are available to treat hemorrhoids. Most people can get relief from symptoms using home treatments and lifestyle changes.

Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids may include:

• Painless bleeding during bowel movements — you might notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl
• Itching or irritation in your anal region
• Pain or discomfort
• Swelling around your anus
• A lump near your anus, which may be sensitive or painful
• Leakage of feces

Hemorrhoid symptoms usually depend on the location. Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the rectum. You usually can't see or feel these hemorrhoids, and they usually don't cause discomfort. But straining or irritation when passing stool can damage a hemorrhoid's delicate surface and cause it to bleed. Occasionally, straining can push an internal hemorrhoid through the anal opening. This is known as a protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoid and can cause pain and irritation.

External hemorrhoids are under the skin around your anus. When irritated, external hemorrhoids can itch or bleed. Sometimes blood may pool in an external hemorrhoid and form a clot (thrombus), resulting in severe pain, swelling and inflammation.

When to see a doctor
Bleeding during bowel movements is the most common sign of hemorrhoids. But rectal bleeding can occur with other diseases, including colorectal cancer and anal cancer. Don't assume that bleeding is coming from hemorrhoids without consulting a doctor. Your doctor can do a physical examination and perform other tests to diagnose hemorrhoids and rule out more serious conditions or diseases. Also consider seeking medical advice if your hemorrhoids cause pain, bleed frequently or excessively, or don't improve with home remedies.

If your hemorrhoid symptoms began along with a marked change in bowel habits or if you're passing black, tarry or maroon stools, blood clots or blood mixed in with the stool, consult your doctor immediately. These types of stools can signal more extensive bleeding elsewhere in your digestive tract.

Seek emergency care if you experience large amounts of rectal bleeding, lightheadedness, dizziness or faintness.

Causes

The veins around your anus tend to stretch under pressure and may bulge or swell. Swollen veins — hemorrhoids — can develop from an increase in pressure in the lower rectum. Factors that might cause increased pressure include:

• Straining during bowel movements
• Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Obesity
• Pregnancy
• Anal intercourse

It's also possible to inherit a tendency to develop hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are more likely as you get older because the tissues that support the veins in your rectum and anus can weaken and stretch with aging.

Complications

Complications of hemorrhoids are rare but include:

• Anemia. Chronic blood loss from hemorrhoids may cause anemia, in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your cells, resulting in fatigue and weakness.
• Strangulated hemorrhoid. If blood supply to an internal hemorrhoid is cut off, the hemorrhoid may be "strangulated," which can cause extreme pain and lead to tissue death (gangrene).

Treatments and drugs

Rubber band ligation of hemorrhoid

Most of the time, treatment for hemorrhoids involves steps that you can take on your own, such as lifestyle modifications. But sometimes medications or surgical procedures are necessary.

Medications
If your hemorrhoids produce only mild discomfort, your doctor may suggest over-the-counter creams, ointments, suppositories or pads. These products contain ingredients, such as witch hazel or hydrocortisone, that can relieve pain and itching, at least temporarily.
Don't use an over-the-counter cream or other product for more than a week unless directed by your doctor. These products can cause side effects, such as skin rash, inflammation and skin thinning.

Minimally invasive procedures
If a blood clot has formed within an external hemorrhoid, your doctor can remove the clot with a simple incision, which may provide prompt relief.
For persistent bleeding or painful hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend another minimally invasive procedure. These treatments can be done in your doctor's office or other outpatient setting.

• Rubber band ligation. Your doctor places one or two tiny rubber bands around the base of an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its circulation. The hemorrhoid withers and falls off within a week. This procedure — called rubber band ligation — is effective for many people. Hemorrhoid banding can be uncomfortable and may cause bleeding, which might begin two to four days after the procedure but is rarely severe.
• Injection (sclerotherapy). In this procedure, your doctor injects a chemical solution into the hemorrhoid tissue to shrink it. While the injection causes little or no pain, it may be less effective than rubber band ligation.
• Coagulation (infrared, laser or bipolar). Coagulation techniques use laser or infrared light or heat. They cause small, bleeding, internal hemorrhoids to harden and shrivel. While coagulation has few side effects, it's associated with a higher rate of hemorrhoids coming back (recurrence) than is the rubber band treatment.

Surgical procedures
If other procedures haven't been successful or you have large hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend a surgical procedure. Surgery can be performed on an outpatient basis or you may need to stay in the hospital overnight.

• Hemorrhoid removal. During a hemorrhoidectomy, your surgeon removes excessive tissue that causes bleeding. Various techniques may be used. The surgery may be done with a local anesthetic combined with sedation, a spinal anesthetic or a general anesthetic. Hemorrhoidectomy is the most effective and complete way to remove hemorrhoids, but it also has the highest rate of complications. These may include temporary difficulty emptying your bladder and urinary tract infections related to this problem. Most people experience some pain after the procedure. Medications can relieve your pain. Soaking in a warm bath also may help.
• Hemorrhoid stapling. This procedure, called stapled hemorrhoidectomy or stapled hemorrhoidopexy, blocks blood flow to hemorrhoidal tissue. Stapling generally involves less pain than hemorrhoidectomy and allows an earlier return to work. Compared with hemorrhoidectomy, however, stapling has been associated with a greater risk of recurrence and rectal prolapse, in which part of the rectum protrudes from the anus. Talk with your doctor about what might be the best option for you.

Lifestyle and home remedies

You can often relieve the mild pain, swelling and inflammation of hemorrhoids with home treatments. Often these are the only treatments needed.

• Use topical treatments. Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository containing hydrocortisone, or use pads containing witch hazel or a numbing agent.
• Soak regularly in a warm bath or sitz bath. Soak your anal area in plain warm water 10 to 15 minutes two to three times a day. A sitz bath fits over the toilet. You can get one at most drugstores.
• Keep the anal area clean. Bathe (preferably) or shower daily to cleanse the skin around your anus gently with warm water. Soap isn't necessary and may aggravate the problem. Gently dry the area with a hair dryer after bathing.
• Don't use dry toilet paper. To help keep the anal area clean after a bowel movement, use moist towelettes or wet toilet paper that doesn't contain perfume or alcohol.
• Apply cold. Apply ice packs or cold compresses on your anus to relieve swelling.
• Take oral pain relievers. You can use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) temporarily to help relieve your discomfort.

With these treatments, hemorrhoid symptoms often go away in a few days. See your doctor if you don't get relief in a few days, or sooner if you have severe pain or bleeding.

Prevention

The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to keep your stools soft, so they pass easily. To prevent hemorrhoids and reduce symptoms of hemorrhoids, follow these tips:

• Eat high-fiber foods. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Doing so softens the stool and increases its bulk, which will help you avoid the straining that can cause hemorrhoids or worsen symptoms from existing hemorrhoids. Add fiber to your diet slowly to avoid problems with gas.
• Drink plenty of fluids. Drink six to eight glasses of water and other liquids (not alcohol) each day to help keep stools soft.
• Consider fiber supplements. Most people don't get enough of the recommended amount of fiber — 20 to 35 grams a day — in their diet.  Studies have shown that over-the-counter fiber supplements, such as Metamucil and Citrucel, improve overall symptoms and bleeding from hemorrhoids. These products help keep stools soft and regular. If you use fiber supplements, be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water or other fluids every day. Otherwise, the supplements can cause constipation or make constipation worse.
• Don't strain. Straining and holding your breath when trying to pass a stool creates greater pressure in the veins in the lower rectum.
• Go as soon as you feel the urge. If you wait to pass a bowel movement and the urge goes away, your stool could become dry and be harder to pass.
• Exercise. Stay active to help prevent constipation and to reduce pressure on veins, which can occur with long periods of standing or sitting. Exercise can also help you lose excess weight that may be contributing to your hemorrhoids.
• Avoid long periods of standing or sitting. Sitting too long, particularly on the toilet, can increase the pressure on the veins in the anus.

 

How to Stop Hemorrhoid Pain

No Matter How You Spell It Hemorrhoids Hurt!  

Steps:

1. Know what you are dealing with.
   • So what exactly are hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are a swelling or inflammation of some of the blood veins in the rectum and/or anus.
   • Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum. Due to the lack of pain receptors in that particular area, they usually will not cause pain. They may, however, bleed when irritated. Internal hemorrhoids can lead to prolapsed or strangulated hemorrhoids if left untreated.
   • External hemorrhoids are those that occur outside of the end of the anal canal. They can be very painful, and can be accompanied by swelling and irritation. If the vein ruptures and a blood clot develops, the hemorrhoid becomes what is known as a thrombosed hemorrhoid.
   • Pregnancy, constipation, chronic diarrhea, and not enough fiber in your diet are all possible causes of hemorrhoids. It is believed that genetics may also contribute to hemorrhoid development. Not drinking enough water can cause hard stools leading to irritation to the hemorrhoid. Drinking too much of a diuretic liquid such as coffee or cokes can cause this. Excessive lactic acid in the stool caused by excessive consumption of milk products can be reduced by limiting the amount of dairy products in your diet. This may lessen the irritation and bring relief.
   • Other contributing factors are those with a genetic predisposition, are obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.
2. For an immediate result use ice! Yep,ice chips applied topically will help reduce the inflammation and shrink the hemorrhoid.
3. Prior to a bowel movement, lubricate the area with cocoa butter or similar lubricant. Avoid creams that contain corticosteroids.
4. Avoid constipation by altering your diet. Straining can cause the pressure to increase in the blood vein causing it to swell.
5. Use witch hazel and horse chestnut as an herbal remedy. They are well known for effective treatments for hemorrhoids
   
   

Warnings:

• If you are bleeding in the nether regions, it could be something really serious. Go get a doctor to take a look.