Hemorrhoids – home remedies, nutrition & tips

Everyone has hemorrhoids. They fulfil an essential task in the intestinal obstruction system. Usually, the haemorrhoids are not noticed. If the haemorrhoids enlarge, the typical symptoms such as burning, itching, pain or bleeding occur. However, there is no reason to suffer from enlarged haemorrhoids. Nowadays, there are various options and home remedies that can be used to treat or alleviate haemorrhoids. Nevertheless, it would help if you talked to your family doctor about your problems so that severe diseases in the rectum can be ruled out. This is especially true when bleeding occurs in the anal area.

Diet tips for haemorrhoids

A regular, balanced diet rich in fibre can prevent haemorrhoids from enlarging. Take your time with your meals and drink enough fluids simultaneously. Because the dietary fibre (30 to 40 grams daily) can only swell in contact with liquid, drink at least 1.5 to 2 litres of any liquid you like throughout the day. Mineral water, juice spritzers, fruit or herbal teas are most suitable. You can also be choosy when it comes to choosing food.

These foods are particularly suitable as a diet for haemorrhoids:

• Wholemeal bread, muesli
• fresh fruits and vegetables, such as spinach, broccoli, or figs
• Rohkostsalate
• Dairy products such as quark, yoghurt or cheese
• 2-3 tablespoons of wheat bran or a teaspoon of psyllium per day with some yoghurt or juice

The following foods should be reduced:

• sugary foods, such as chocolate or soft drinks
• Low-fibre foods with white flour, such as white bread
• Foods that cause gas, such as cabbage or onions
• Wurst
• very greasy food
• alcohol and nicotine

Proper nutrition for haemorrhoids means strengthening the intestinal flora and not overloading the intestines but stimulating them. Stool consistency can also be improved by using the foods mentioned above. Spicy foods do not have to be avoided if they are well tolerated. However, if the anus is already irritated by constipation or diarrhoea, it is better to avoid spicy food.

 

Exercise tips for haemorrhoids

Hiking, swimming, gymnastics or walking are good exercise and help prevent hemorrhoids. If you don’t have time for this, take the stairs instead of the elevator. You can also run small errands on foot or by bike instead of driving. Pelvic floor exercises are particularly suitable  . This is offered in special gymnastics courses.

Sports such as tennis, jogging, aerobics or strength training should be avoided if you have enlarged hemorrhoids as they put too much strain on the pelvic floor.

Personal care for hemorrhoids

You can promote the skin’s healing process with sitz baths, ointments or special toilet tissues soaked in chamomile or witch hazel. Chamomile and witch hazel have a calming effect. However, you should only use toilet paper with nourishing oils. On the other hand, conventional moist toilet paper, which is often treated with artificial fragrances or alcohol, is counterproductive.

Natural skin care can also mean letting the skin calm down. The thin anal skin in particular must not be irritated too much and should find its correct acid mantle naturally.

It is also important to always pat your bottom dry and not make the skin irritation worse by rubbing too hard. After going to the toilet, we also recommend an anal douche, a bidet or a damp washcloth instead of toilet paper.

 

The right clothing

Your underwear should be breathable, absorb moisture well and allow your skin to breathe – that’s why: 100 percent cotton is the first choice. Synthetic fibers do not allow the skin to breathe and lead to moisture build-up, which puts additional strain on the delicate skin in the anal area.

If you sweat a lot, you can also use special underwear made from functional fabrics. This dries faster compared to cotton.

Also make sure you use the right detergent – it happens that certain ingredients  trigger allergies  .

Home remedies for hemorrhoids

The following home remedies can help relieve hemorrhoids:

• Take a lukewarm sitz bath in which you add three liters of chamomile or oak bark tea
• Mix  honey  and marigold ointment and rub the affected area regularly with the mixture.
• Mix equal parts chamomile and sweet clover, pour 0.25 liters of boiling water over one tablespoon and let the  tea  steep for ten minutes. Drink three cups of chamomile sweet clover tea daily.
• Rub the affected area with witch hazel ointment or use appropriate suppositories.

Help from the pharmacy

Medicines relieve the symptoms of enlarged hemorrhoids, but do not cause them to shrink. Grade I hemorrhoids can be well treated with surface anesthetic, disinfectant and anti-inflammatory agents.

These are available in pharmacies as hemorrhoid ointments, suppositories or bath additives. Some herbal medicines are also suitable for treating hemorrhoids, but it should be borne in mind that they often do not work as quickly as special chemical remedies.

This includes  horse chestnut extract  (in tablet form). This has vascular sealing properties. Anti-inflammatory substances such as  arnica or chamomile  provide relief, for example as an additive in sitz baths. The extract from  witch hazel  (witch hazel) contains tannins that contract the surface of mucous membranes, i.e. have an astringent effect. Witch hazel also has an anti-inflammatory effect and relieves itching.

 

Five tips against hemorrhoids

These five tips summarize the most important tools and behavior that you can use to relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids:

1. Only go to the toilet when you feel the urge. Every person has their own rhythm. You don’t necessarily have to go to the toilet every day. Do not force the toilet. Avoid straining too hard when defecating.
2. Your chair should be sufficiently soft and firmly formed. Therefore, drink plenty of fluids and foods rich in fiber.
3. Use soft toilet paper to gently pat your bottom after a bowel movement. Alternatively, you can use a bidet or anal douche.
4. Do not use soap to clean the anal area. This often irritates and causes eczema. Lukewarm water is sufficient.
5. Exercise gets your gut going. Swimming, gymnastics or walking will improve digestion.