Hemorrhoids
Antoaneta Sawyer, PhD
There are a number of factors for the appearance of hemorrhoids – genetics, pregnancy, multiple child delivery, advanced age, unbalanced diet, and inactivity - that impact rectal health. At first place that is genetics and there is also an issue of how we regulate or perform our daily bowel movements and the way how we maintain hygiene, as well. Improper diet, exposure to environmental toxins and sedentary lifestyle may all lead to waste buildup in the body, which can contribute to health complications from lack of energy to poor digestion.
Regardless of the individual etiopathogenesis (genetical predisposition, lazy bowel, etc) we must reverse immediately in order to shrink our hemorrhoids. Actually, hemorrhoids are our proper body response to imbalances caused by modern environmental media, every day pollutants, and human daily activity or practices that we are not designed for. For example, our bodies are not designed for the constant intake of overprocessed foods, white flower, refined white sugar, combined with high fructose corn syrup and hydrogenated oil, and what is more important to consume a high volume of all of the above.
Thus, we must recognize that the refined food we consume on a daily basis is extremely wrong habit that is not beneficial for our health and prevention. Naturally the human race evolved by eating predominantly row food: fruits, vegetables, greens, nuts, fish, and whole foods or with other words- they consumed plenty of fiber in their food. Now when we consume predominantly all refined foods, GI tract changes and our stool naturally takes a response to it. The amount of stress we handle is another factor that can take a huge impact on our daily habits. We experience frequent diarrhear or constipation, days without complete or any elimination, etc.
As defined, hemorrhoids are swelling and inflammation in the veins of the rectum and anus. Thus, inflammation must be overcome with anti-inflammatory diet, active exercise, holistic formulas and lifestyle.
Among middle-aged or elderly people, severe constipation or an abrupt change in bowel habits (diarrhea with constipation and vice versa), and mainly bleeding should prompt an immediate and thorough medical evaluation. Colon cancer is the diagnose that can be frequently mistaken with hemorrhoid bleeding.
Patients should be also screened for thyroid hormone levels as well as blood electrolyte levels (such as potassium, calcium, glucose, and creatinine). Other measures should include evaluation of fecal occult blood and white blood cell count. Colorectal screening is mandatory in patients older than 50 years who experience a change in bowel habits with or without bleeding. Screening tests include sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy (flexible tube or virtual) and barium enema. Of all the diagnostic tests available, flexible-tube colonoscopy is superior at detecting polyps (defined as precancerous lesions). Polyps can be removed during flexible-tube colonoscopies.
Holistic Diet & Lifestyle Changes
1. Eat mainly liquid foods as soups, natural juices of fruits and vegetables, in addition to whole grains and bran, to your diet. Drink plenty of water or natural juices and soups. Do not forget that caffeine-containing drinks such as coffee, tea have mildly dehydrating effect on the body, but they do promote contractions in the bowel and can sometimes facilitate bowel movements).
2. Be careful with white flour, white rice and white sugar and everything prepared with them- (e.g. white bread, pasta, lasagna, macaroni, white rice etc).
3. All pop sodas, spicy foods, alcohol and even citrus fruits must be reduced as they are gas forming foods. Avoid eating gas forming foods. You can take Beano to eliminate the gas formation.
4. Increase your fiber intake only in case you are constipated but not bleeding Cut back on low-fiber foods such as meats, cheeses, and all processed foods. In case, i you bleed you should consume beef liver and red meat (once weekly at least)
5. Consume legumes in moderation as they are gas forming foods (at least if you constantly bleed). In case of remission you can eat legumes as they are the best vegetable protein and are also rich in fiber.
6. Teach your body to consume food and eliminate on a regular schedule. Respond to your body’s signals to pass stool as soon as possible, as this will keep your bowel movements regular. Avoid: prolonged sitting and standing; constipation and straining at bowel movements, frequent diarrhea, excess weight, and heavy leaving
7. Follow a strict hygiene any time you use the bathroom.
8. Light Exercise and daily walking are a must. Exercise is an important factor in the management of constipation.
9. Eating fiber-rich bulking agents such as plantain and Psyllium seed husks to help create soft stool that is easy to pass to lessen the irritation of existing hemorrhoids.
Using the squatting position for bowel movements.
10.Oral dietary supplementation can help healing and prevention of multiple complications of hemorrhoids, and natural botanicals such as Horse chestnut, Witch hazel-topical, Aloe Vera-topical, Butchers Broom, Psyllium, etc.
11. Ayurvedic, Chinese and other natural-health practitioners believe periodic internal cleansing is an ideal way to maintain overall good health.
