General Tips Haemorroids

• Don’t strain when passing.
• Don’t hold back it makes straining and constipation worse.
• Avoid sitting on toilet for long periods, only till bowels are empty. Spend enough time on toilet to completely empty bowels.
• Try not to sit or stand for long periods. Have a break regularly.
• Wear loose cotton underwear
• Lose weight if one obese because it puts pressure on abdomen.
• Use a cold compress  or an ice pack (not direct ice) on anus to sooth area (use in caution with patients sensitive to temperature change) for 15 minutes at a time. Do this several times daily.
• Wash anus area in Luke warm and/or cold water (do this several times daily) and have a warm bath to sooth area.
• Epsom salts or baking soda is often added to help calm down inflammation (hot , red and swelling) of haemorrhoids.
• One can dab some witch hazel to help with minor bleeding and calm down the haemorrhoids as it acts as an astringent.
• Alovera, vitamin E, coconut oil to soothe the area.
• Use baby wipes or haemorrhoid wipes (for good hygiene).
• Use moist toilet paper, avoid rough tissue paper.
• Avoid tight fitting underwear clothes , instead wear underwear which is made with polyester with ultra-breathable cotton (especially cotton underwear) can help keep the anal area both clean and dry.
• Avoid using perfumed detergents or fabric softeners to reduce irritation on underwear clothing.
• Do plenty of cardiovascular exercises (30 minutes daily or in divided sessions) e.g. running, cycling and swimming and not stress sport e.g. weightlifting
• Eat regularly a good healthy diet.
• Eat regularly, try not to skip meals. It is important not to skip breakfast. Try to eat at least something for breakfast. The bowel usually goes to sleep at night and wakes up in the morning. Eating, drinking and moving around all stimulate the bowel. The most likely time for a bowel action is about 30 minutes after the first meal of the day.
• Cut down on eating too much salty, spicy, fatty and sugary food.
• Cut back on alcohol, tea, coffee and/or fizzy drinks
• Eat more fibre (if suitable)
  1. Helps digestion process
  2. Increase absorption of nutrients and food
  3. Lowers cholesterol
  4. Make stool soft and bulky
  5. Control sugar levels in blood.
  6. Control appetite
• Eat lots of raw vegetables and fruit (beware that tomatoes and citrus fruits can irritate the anal area) cereals, beans, pulses (add to casseroles and salads), whole grain.
• Increase your fibre intake. East more brown foods e.g. brown bread, brown rice, and brown pasta.
• Drink plenty of fluids. 6-8 glasses of water at least per day. (Avoid caffeine, alcohol, fizzy drinks
• Avoid foods that trigger constipation.
• Try to avoid overuse of laxatives.
• Anxiety, stress or feeling down can cause constipation. Try to do a hobby that helps one to relax
  • Pilates
  • Yoga
  • Thai-chi
  • Aromatherapy
  • Acupuncture
  • Reflexology
• Constipation tips

 

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Wind

• Peppermint tea may help.
• If have a lot of wind increase intake of oats and linseeds and papayas
• Charcoal products (tablets and pads) may help if suitable (they help to absorb gas, but can interfere with absorption of medication, see your pharmacist if unsure)
• Pro-biotic yogurts may help, they help to restore the natural flora in one’s stomach (gas release can occur if there is an imbalance of ‘friendly’ bacteria and bad bacteria).