Changing Your Lifestyle to Prevent Hemorrhoids

As any medical professional can tell you, prevention is the key to good health. Indeed, if you want to prevent that most frustrating and embarrassing of all problems-hemorrhoids-prevention becomes absolutely key. What sort of things can you do to prevent the onset of hemorrhoids? First, identify whether your vulnerability factor. You are more vulnerable to developing hemorrhoids if you are: male, over fifty years of age, obese, have some kind of digestive ailment, and spend a lot of time standing or lifting heavy objects. But even if you do not fit this precise profile, it is still a good idea to take several proactive steps towards a lifestyle that promotes health and counteracts the effects of hemorrhoids.

Change Your Diet to Prevent Hemorrhoids.

Probably the most important thing you can do to prevent hemorrhoids is to change your diet. Almost any doctor or nutritionist will tell you that if you want to prevent hemorrhoids, you will want to consume a diet rich in fiber. Why? Fiber adds bulk to your stool, making it softer and easier to pass through the anal canal. When a stool is hard and dry, it can become very difficult to pass through the anal canal. This in turn results in straining, and may lead to the development of the enlarged blood vessels that constitute most types of hemorrhoids.

The ideal, anti-hemorrhoid diet would consist of lots of fruits, vegetables, and plenty of liquids (mostly water). Fiber supplements are a good idea if you are vulnerable to hemorrhoids. You can consume over the counter fiber supplements such as Metamucil, Fiber Choice, and Citrucel. These fiber supplements can help keep your stool soft and your bowel movements regular. Speak with your doctor about using stool softeners, as well. These must be used with care, since too much fiber can cause its own set of dilemmas. For instance, if you consume too much fiber, you become more prone to gas, and may even make severe constipation worse. Be sure to balance out any fiber supplementation program by drinking plenty of water.

Change Your Bathroom Habits

Many people afflicted with hemorrhoids are also afflicted with digestive disorders such as Irritable Bowel Syndrome (IBS). If you suffer from severe constipation, for instance, you may be more vulnerable to hemorrhoids because constipation may result in excessive straining. You should strive to make bowel movements as painless and strain-free as possible. Never strain, and never try to ‘hold’ bowel movements for later. Holding stool causes it to become hard and difficult to pass through the anal canal.

Get Your Exercise

Getting exercise can prove very important in preventing the onset of hemorrhoids. Exercise can help reduce your weight, which is important because one of the main risk factors for developing hemorrhoids is being overweight. Obesity causes a great strain on your body’s blood vessels, and may cause them to enlarge, thus resulting in hemorrhoids. If you manage to get enough physical activity into your schedule, you are much less likely to develop hemorrhoids.