Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are more common than you might think. In fact, it has been estimated that one-half of the U.S. population over the age of 30 will suffer from hemorrhoids symptoms at some point during their lives. They are one of the most common medical ailments we have. Fortunately, it is usually possible in most situations for individuals to treat themselves by using over-the-counter medications, as well as adapting lifestyle changes.
The first thing to do is to make a commitment to eating and living better. Realize that this commitment is to a new lifestyle, not to a temporary diet that goes away as soon as the hemorrhoids do. If you quit eating well as soon as the hemorrhoids are gone, they'll soon be back. Making this sort of lifelong commitment will keep you from trying extreme (and extremely bad tasting) diets that you can't live with for very long. Most dietary fiber is found in fresh fruits, vegetables, whole grains and beans. There is a huge range and variety to be found within those four types of food, enough to fit any set of taste buds. Instead of seeing your new diet as a penance to be suffered through, try looking at it as an invitation to explore foods you'll love.
Insoluble fiber is good in the prevention of hemorrhoids, and some types of colon and rectal cancers. Insoluble fiber is mainly found in wheat, some types of vegetables and in whole grain products. Some vegetables rich in insoluble fiber include carrots, peas and broccoli. The skins of fruits are also rich in insoluble fiber.
When you change your diet by eliminating what causes hemorrhoids and including what prevents hemorrhoids the results can be so dramatic that soon hemorrhoids will be a condition of the past.
In our fast paced modern lifestyle, there are many items in our diet that can be added to a list of what causes hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are caused by eating too much red meat or food containing unsaturated fat. To much salt added to food causes hemorrhoids because salt naturally causes bulging of arteries. Spicy food causes hemorrhoids A diet of processed food, that includes no fresh food items cause hemorrhoids because there is no fiber to assist bowel movement. Alcohol and caffeine containing beverages cause hemorrhoids because they constrict circulation of blood.
When it comes to the main causes of hemorrhoids, industrialized countries have the worst track records. We tend to eat foods that are highly processed with plenty of simple sugars and little fiber or naturally occurring nutrients. In addition, we tend to spend much of our workdays sitting. Considering that the three most common causes of hemorrhoids are constipation, diarrhea and a sedentary lifestyle, is it any real surprise that industrialized countries have the most cases of hemorrhoids?
A bright red rectal bleeding not mixed with stool, is usually the initial symptom of Hemorrhoids (or the common bad spelling Hemmroids, Hemroids). Prolapse occurs only with the first defecation and then spontaneously decreases. A persistent anal itching is a symptom of hemorrhoids. The pain occurs only when there is an acute attack of inflammation and edema with a prolapse, or when there is a concomitant injury, like a fissure. Several observations testify to the direct link between diet and hemorrhoids. Rarely, in fact, this disease is found in countries where the diet is high in fiber and low in refined foods. An important component of Hemorrhoids is constipation, due to the increased effort required by defecation that increases intra-abdominal pressure and impedes venous return. Furthermore, the increased pressure increases pelvic congestion that can weaken the vein wall, facilitating the formation of Hemorrhoids.
