Hemorrhoids are swollen, extremely painful veins located in the rectum. Because they are in that area people may be reluctant to seek treatment but it doesn't have to be that way. This article can help you to be better educated about them and be able to speak to a doctor and get treatment.
Don't be embarrassed to discuss your hemorrhoid problems with your doctor. By age 50, about half of all Americans will have suffered from hemorrhoids at one time or another. It's a common problem that your doctor has seen before, and it can be very uncomfortable, so don't be afraid to ask for the treatment you need.
When you have hemorrhoids, be sure to stay away from spicy foods. Spicy foods can be extremely irritating to your hemorrhoids. It is also recommended that you avoid consuming too much beer, soft drinks or coffee.
After having a bowel movement, it is important to not use dry tissue paper if you are struggling with hemorrhoids. The dry tissue paper is rough and can scratch the hemorrhoids when wiping. If you scratch the hemorrhoids, they may bleed. Instead of dry paper, try using wet tissue paper or running water.
If you are looking for natural relief from your hemorrhoids, eating certain foods can help. To reduce bleeding, try alfalfa, blackstrap molasses, flax seeds, sweet potatoes and lima beans. In order to prevent an iron deficiency from loss of blood, try eating chicken or beef liver, prunes, spinach, raisins, tuna, kelp, baked potatoes and sunflower seeds.
Sleep is integral if you want to reduce the pain from the hemorrhoids that you have. Try to aim for at least seven hours of sleep every single night to help your body to restore its natural functionality. Make sure to get the ample rest to eliminate the painful symptoms of hemorrhoids.
It is very important to get the proper nutrients in your body if you are trying to reduce the symptoms of hemorrhoids. When you wake up in the morning eat an orange or an apple. These fruits will give you the vitamins that you need to improve blood circulation for your hemorrhoids.
One thing to watch out for when you have hemorrhoids is poor quality toilet paper. You will want to purchase toilet paper that is extra soft, to reduce the irritation that you experience in the bathroom. Constant irritation from toilet paper that is too rough can worsen the symptoms of your hemorrhoids.
If you suffer from hemorrhoids, be careful about relying on laxatives too often to relieve your constipation. Laxatives will only lead to a single bowel movement If you have problems with bowel movements that persist, change your diet. Make it easier to keep steady and regular movements!
To rid yourself of hemorrhoids, lose weight. Baing overweight causes you to suffer more from hemorrhoid issues. The extra fat and waste your body is storing will cause unnecessary pressure on your anal veins. Use a weight loss plan that incorporates high fiber foods to take the pressure off your body! As a word of caution, you should never use laxatives solely as a means of losing weight. Doing so will not help you to avoid hemorrhoids and may even exacerbate the condition.
If you have hemorrhoids take at least two warm baths a day. The bath is sure to relieve the discomfort and will also help with the swelling. Hemorrhoids are very painful and just the relaxation from the bath can help to distract you from the pain as well.
See a doctor if your hemorrhoids are too painful or large. There are safe and simple surgical procedures, often done in your doctor's office or in an outpatient clinic. Treatments include a shot into the hemorrhoid to reduce swelling (sclerotherapy), a rubber band around it to cut off its blood supply, shrinking it with heat, freezing it with liquid nitrogen and minor surgery (hemorrhoidectomy).
A great way to keep your hemorrhoid problems at bay is to eat foods that are high in fiber. This helps by softening your stool and making it pass easier. Along with the fiber, eat lots of fruits like grapes, watermelon, and papaya, as well as vegetables which are high in fiber like okra and cabbage.
Never scratch. While hemorrhoids are known for being terribly itchy, scratching at it is the last thing you want to do. You will not only cause more irritation and inflammation, but you may cause tears that allow bacteria to get in. You may also end up with fecal material under your fingernails.
In order to reduce hemorrhoids and the pain that comes along with them, use a hemorroidal cream. Although there are some that are available over the counter, the most effective hemorroidal creams are prescribed your doctor. He or she will decide which cream is best for you, depending on the severity.
Don't expect laxatives or stool softeners to fix a hemorrhoid. Laxatives are not a long-term solution to the constipation issue that brought about the hemorrhoid in the first place. Also, while a laxative may make the passing of stool easier, it doesn't actually fix the hemorrhoid. It simply reduces the symptoms.
Exercise is a great way in which you can work to soften your stools. If you feel like you have to strain to use the bathroom, this is going to be bad for your hemorrhoid. You're in no danger of having an accident if you can't get it out anyway, so go ahead and take a long walk or jog.
Some claim that fresh tomato slices can decrease the size of existing hemorrhoids. The acidity of tomatoes allows the tomatoes to reduce swelling when applied directly to your hemorrhoids. Used together with a healthy and nutritional diet, this method could well turn into a long term treatment.
The beginning of this article explained hemorrhoids are swollen veins that become inflamed and cause great pain. They also cause embarrassment and the patient suffers in silence more than they should. By learning why they happen and how to treat them, you can be better prepared to talk with your doctor and finally get relief
