Whether or not you’ve dealt with the problem of bleeding hemorrhoids before, there are a lot of ways you can prevent them from occurring or reoccurring. In fact, depending upon your situation, it doesn’t have to take a lot of effort and most doctors will tell you the same thing.
The biggest method of keeping problems at bay is taking a close examination of your current lifestyle. Pay attention to what you eat for a week or so and find out more about the food and drink you are taking into your body. Are you eating a lot of foods high in carbohydrates? Are you eating mostly junk food or snacking on a lot of unhealthy items? Do you have any established eating habits or do you eat indiscriminately throughout the day? If you realize that overall your dietary intake isn’t the best, take a few steps to change it. Instead of a full plate of frozen waffles in the morning, look to a plate of scrambled eggs and fresh fruits. After dinner, avoid a pint of ice cream and try some frozen yogurt instead. Do some research on foods that are high in fiber, such as raspberries, apples with the skin, peas, artichokes, black beans, whole-wheat spaghetti, and more, and try to incorporate them into your diet. The extra fiber can soften stools and give you an easier time in the bathroom.
Try to cut down on soft drinks. Opt for more water, fruit juices, and other healthy alternatives. Many of these will quench your thirst better than a soft drink can and will also give you more energy. The body always functions better with more water and the added hydration can improve other things, such as skin complexion. If you become thirsty, your body is already getting dehydrated, so go ahead and drink even when you don’t feel thirsty. The body can always get rid of the excess it doesn’t need. More hydration will also help in keeping stools soft, which results in less straining and can help you avoid developing problems.
Start up an exercise regimen. It does not need to be anything rigorous and there’s no need to join up and your local gym (though there’s nothing wrong with that!). Something as simple as walking for 15-30 minutes each day has proven to offer many health benefits such ranging from weight loss to cancer prevention. Pregnant women can sometimes experience bleeding hemorrhoids, but walking can help both you and your baby.
Changes such as these can have large impacts on your life. You can start off small and work your way toward something bigger. Try putting a goal in mind. Not only will you steer clear of a bleeding hemorrhoid (or more), but your physical and emotional well being will be better than ever!