Diet to follow with hemorrhoids

A very common and annoying disorder that can be countered with a healthy diet and an active lifestyle, but before complications arise.

Improperly, the term hemorrhoids often refers to dilations of the veins (varicose veins) of the anus and rectum due to constitutional, family and environmental factors.

In reality, to be more precise, hemorrhoids are anatomical structures that we all have in the area: these are three pads or hemorrhoidal columns (also called gavoccioli) present in the canal (two on the right and one on the left), formed by a sort of ball of blood vessels, through which the blood circulates, and fixed by fibrous ligaments that keep them adherent to the wall.

The amount of blood that enters and exits is regulated by very small valves which, consequently, favor the swelling and deflating of these bearings. When hemorrhoids undergo dilation, there is the so-called hemorrhoidal disease which, as anticipated, can depend on various factors, including constitutional and family, as well as environmental.

Among the former there are a reduced elasticity of the venous walls and circulatory problems, while among the latter we find:

• obesity
• disordered eating habits
• diet too high in fat and low in fiber
• chronic constipation
• pregnancy
• smoking
• alcoholism
• very strenuous jobs or sports that force you to stand for a long time
• sedentary lifestyle.

In particular, hemorrhoidal pathology seems particularly favored by all those factors capable of causing relaxation and sagging of the supporting ligaments of hemorrhoids, especially when intrarectal pressure increases (as when pushing hard). With the relaxation of the tissues, the blood vessels dilate (a condition further favored by any diseases or circulation disorders, including a malfunction of the small valves that regulate the level of swelling of the hemorrhoids) so the pads enlarge and also the mucosa that covers the internal mucous membranes ends up weakening, tearing and bleeding.

Symptoms

Hemorrhoids can remain for some time without giving symptoms, but when the affected area becomes inflamed, the discomfort begins:

• itch
• Heartburn
• tenesmus (continuous feeling of having to evacuate or insufficient evacuation)
• swelling around the anus
• pain on defecation.

In the most difficult and neglected cases, complications can occur: major bleeding, fissures (cracks in the skin around the anus) and intense pain, which make evacuation difficult and troubled. A prolapse may also appear: hemorrhoids move and slide, protruding on the margin. The prolapse, which can reach different degrees, is often accompanied by a sense of discomfort and heaviness at the level of the anus.

In the worst cases, surgery may be necessary which may not be conclusive, as the underlying cause persists, which is almost always constipation tags. That is, everything that can induce constipation (sedentary lifestyle, various foods and drugs).

What to avoid on the table

The two worst enemies of our hemorrhoidal veins are astringent foods (which absorb water) and irritating foods . Both have a negative effect on the walls of the intestine and rectum and on those of the vessels.

Astringent foods

They are foods that have non-digestible components that tend to absorb water, increasing in volume and thus causing distension of the colon walls.

In this way they prevent the normal contraction, necessary to push the waste to the lower part of the intestine where the stools will be formed. Stools can become dehydrated and accumulate, becoming difficult to expel, thus requiring an abnormal effort which can favor the appearance of hemorrhoids.

In this regard, we are on the alert: wheat bran, known for its beneficial effects against constipation can, in some cases, become too bulky, aggravating the situation.

To prevent all this from happening, it is therefore better to avoid astringent foods such as:

• carrots
• potatoes
• rice
• dried fruit
• bananas
• seasoned, fatty, and fermented cheeses
• canned goods
• shellfish
• too fatty sweets and dehydrated eggs found for example in mayonnaise and industrially produced sweets.

And the lemon?

The astringent power of lemon juice has been known since ancient times. However, if a few drops of lemon juice are added to a large glass of water to be consumed every morning on an empty stomach, and a few minutes before sitting down at the table for the main meals, the intestine seems to regain a physiological regularity, to the full advantage even hemorrhoids.

Irritating foods

As regards foods that cause irritation and inflammation of the intestine – and which can, therefore, aggravate the hemorrhoidal symptoms – the subjective factor must be considered.

In practice, the same foods could be well tolerated by a person suffering from hemorrhoids and, conversely, become absolutely annoying for another.

The following are generally considered irritants to the lining of the intestine:

• coffee
• cocoa (and also chocolate)
• spices (mustard and pepper in particular) and obviously also spicy foods in general
• alcohol (spirits and spirits)
• Tomatoes and spicy tomato-based sauces (ketchup)
• vinegar
• carbonated drinks
• radishes
• Peppers
• eggplant
• truffles.

To these are added foods that are too salty, sausages, greasy sauces, fries (fried and fried). As condiments it is better to opt for olive oil or linseed oil and apple cider vinegar.

In general, Spicy Foods are considered irritants. The red pepper, however, contrary to what is believed, could even have an anti-inflammatory action. But it should be used in moderation, preferably in powder form and after cooking. However, even in this case, what matters is listening: the reaction is subjective.

Even Ginger , although considered a spicy food due to the presence of gingerol, is often recommended to those with hemorrhoids, not only for its alleged anti-inflammatory action, but because it seems able to promote (like garlic ) the splitting of a Protein (fibrin), which intervenes in the coagulation processes , facilitating the repair of tissues and blood vessels.

Hemorrhoid diet

Since constipation is one of the factors that can favor and/or worsen hemorrhoids, it is better to enrich one’s diet with foods rich in fibre, with laxative effects and to regulate intestinal transit. Instead, refined foods should be avoided or limited, because the process they undergo tends to eliminate most of the fibers.

For correct intestinal activity, in fact, a regular intake of fibers is needed, quantifiable in about 25-30 grams per day, substantially guaranteed by the “famous” five portions of fruit and vegetables daily. However, we must not exaggerate because the fibers can have an irritating effect on the intestinal mucosa.

As for fruit, almost all types are fine, but in particular:

• plums
• apricots
• kiwi
• melon
• pears
• cherries
• chestnuts.

The ideal is to consume it fresh and, when possible, with the peel, where the greatest quantity of fibers is concentrated.

Also as regards vegetables, the choice is varied, even if green leafy vegetables (chicory, spinach, beets for example) and artichokes are particularly useful . Legumes and cereals (such as oat flakes) are also excellent sources of fiber : the former are useful both fresh and dried, while among the latter it is better to aim for whole grains (even pasta and bread are preferable in whole grain versions).

Valuable is then the yogurt and fermented milks containing probiotics, i.e. good bacteria that thicken the ranks of intestinal flora, thus allowing to maintain their balance, favoring regular intestinal activity.

Against hemorrhoids it may be useful to include berries in your diet (such as blueberries and currants), rich in Antioxidants , in particular anthocyanins, which strengthen the connective tissue that supports the blood vessels, thus improving their elasticity, and have a antihaemorrhagic action.

It is also important to choose foods rich in iron because with hemorrhoidal bleeding, a lot of this mineral can be lost; are rich in them, in particular:

Physical activity also helps

Performing regular physical activity is important, not only to counteract a sedentary lifestyle, which is one of the triggering factors for hemorrhoidal disease, but also to help you lose weight and thus cure any obesity or overweight, conditions that can favor the appearance of hemorrhoids. Moving, on the other hand, also stimulates intestinal regularity and counteracts constipation.

However, we must opt for a moderate practice, which does not strain the abdominal muscles excessively by increasing internal pressure: no, for example, to jumping and weight lifting, yes to walking and swimming.

If there is a prolapse, it will also be necessary to avoid those sports that require sitting (cycling, horse riding, for example) and which can be annoying.