Pain, burning, or itching around the anus? If you’re prone to hemorrhoidal attacks, read on for a list of the foods to avoid and prioritise, as well as some tips for reducing the chances of them coming back.
Hemorrhoids (also known as ‘piles’) are enlarged blood vessels either under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids) or inside the anal canal, under the mucous membrane (internal hemorrhoids).
What is commonly referred to as “having hemorrhoids” is therefore hemorrhoidal disease: irritation and swelling of these blood vessels.
The most common symptoms are itching, burning and/or pain in or around the anus. Hemorrhoidal attacks can cause severe pain and bleeding (1).
The main causes of inflammation of these blood vessels include:
Analysis of the causes of hemorrhoidal disease makes it easy to identify which foods to avoid in order to obtain relief (3):
In contrast, there are a number of foods to focus on in order to maintain the health of the blood vessels in this region:
In short, eating a healthy, balanced diet is an effective way of fighting hemorrhoidal episodes.
Finally, here are some excellent natural tips if you regularly suffer from inflamed hemorrhoids.
As a sedentary lifestyle and excess weight are common causes of hemorrhoids, it’s advisable to follow a weight-loss diet, as well as - and especially – to engage in regular exercise, even at a moderate level: walking, swimming, etc. (4).
Exercises to strengthen the pelvic floor (Kegels) can also be particularly effective at improving muscle tone and motor control of the anus.
Proper intimate hygiene of the anal area is also important for reducing hemorrhoidal pain. Gently cleanse the area using moist, unscented wipes, to reduce irritation.
Sitz baths do not really reduce hemorrhoid problems, but they can ease the discomfort they cause, which can be very helpful in an acute hemorrhoidal attack. In the case of inflamed hemorrhoids, sit in a sitz bath containing lukewarm water (around 40°C) for 10-15 minutes, 3 or 4 times a day.
Horse chestnut, meanwhile, has been used for thousands of years as a venotonic. And for good reason, as it contains aescin which reduces the permeability of the vein wall and maintains its tone, thus facilitating the return of blood to the heart, especially in superficial blood capillaries. That’s why horse chestnut supplements (such as Horse Chestnut Extract) are very often recommended for combatting hemorrhoids (5).
There are also synergistic formulations developed specifically to fight the discomfort of hemorrhoids, in which horse chestnut extract is combined with other active ingredients (one such example is Hemo Comfort).
It goes without saying that if you suffer a painful hemorrhoidal attack lasting more than 48 hours, consider consulting a doctor for advice on how to treat your hemorrhoids.
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