Haemorrhoids is another name for piles, and the condition develops when the veins just beneath the membrane lining of the lowest part of the rectum and the anus become swollen and distended.
Two Kinds of Haemorrhoids:-
- Internal Haemorrhoids – They occur in the lower rectum and are painless, which may lead to potential problems.
- External Haemorrhoids – They develop under the skin surrounding the anus. These are more painful kinds of haemorrhoids, and the pain caused can be sudden & severe.
What causes haemorrhoids?
It is associated with chronic constipation leading to sitting on a toilet seat for a long period and straining during bowel movements. All these lead to interfering with the blood flow to the vessels enlarging them around the anus or rectum.
What can help treat it?
1) Load Up on Fibre
Including soluble and insoluble types of fibre in the diet can help reduce the symptoms of piles as they help ease bowel movement, which eventually puts less stress around the area.
- Green leafy vegetables like cabbage, spinach, fenugreek leaves, salad leaves
- Other vegetables like beetroot, carrots, broccoli, mushrooms, bottle gourd
- Fruits like pomegranate, orange, strawberries, papaya
- Whole seeds like sunflower, chia, flaxseeds
- Nuts like almonds & walnuts
- Whole grain cereals like whole wheat, buckwheat, finger millet, oats
All these should be part of the diet, and cutting down completely on refined carbohydrates should be done.
2) Include Healthy Fat
- Pour some ghee on your dal, chapati or khichdi
- Have white butter on your whole-wheat slices of bread
- Pour some olive oil on your salads
- Fats help in smooth bowel movement and help relieve symptoms of constipation.
3) Include Ample Fluid
- Have sufficient water daily 3 litres or more.
- Including hydrating drinks like watermelon juice, lemon mint water, buttermilk, herbal teas, etc. which help increase hydration levels
4) Stretch & Exercise
Indulging in aerobic exercises like a brisk walk, jog, moderate aerobic activity, and stretching exercises like squats, lunges can help stimulate proper bowel movement. Also, help regularise your routine to establish a regular bowel habit.
5) Soak in Warm Water
Fill your bathtub with warm water and dissolve a handful of Epsom salt, keep your legs in a raised position, this will help shrink swollen veins and increase blood flow to the veins. Apply some petroleum jelly after a bath.
Thus, having a good amount of fibre in the diet, sufficient water intake and exercise daily can help avoid symptoms of piles and help in its treatment as well.
