Haemorrhoids are preventable with good diet

One health issue that is always discussed in hushed tones is haemorrhoid, also called pile. It actually refers to a mass of inflamed veins in swollen tissue at the margin of the anus or within the rectum.

Among the Yoruba, it is loosely called irobo, and wrongly diagnosed as being caused by eating sugary foods. However, physicians say people develop haemorrhoids when they don’t get enough fibre in their diets, which can lead to constipation.

According to General Practitioner, Dr. Goke Jacobs, haemorrhoid is a very common complaint and it affects both male and female. He says adults whose ages fall between 45 and 65, and women during pregnancy and after childbirth, do develop this health issue.
Common symptoms, he says, include itching and pain, especially when the sufferer sits down, and bright red blood on toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl after you strain to have a bowel movement.

Jacobs warns, though, that sometimes, rectal bleeding can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as colon, rectal, or anal cancer. “So, if you see blood stains when you wipe your backside after using the bathroom, don’t just reach a spurious conclusion that it’s piles; see your doctor without wasting time,” he counsels.

While doctors say haemorrhoids are rarely dangerous, they also agree that they can be recurrent and painful intrusions. A U.S-based gastroenterologist, Dr. Dada Afijabi, says traditionally, haemorrhoids are associated with chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, and prolonged sitting on the toilet – all of which interfere with blood flow to and from the area, causing it to pool and enlarge the vessels.

“This also explains why haemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, when the enlarging uterus presses on the veins,” he says.

According to online portal, webmd.org, rushing to complete a bowel movement can lead to excessive straining and increase pressure on rectal veins.

Again, physicians say, persistent diarrhoea or constipation, which may cause straining and increase pressure on veins in the anal canal, can eventually lead to the painful condition.

It’s like we can never have enough warning on the health problems posed by being overweight, especially in the abdomen and pelvis, as physicians say that the extra weight in those parts of the body may increase pressure on the pelvic veins and cause haemorrhoids.

Pregnancy and labour are biological processes that any woman of child-bearing age can experience at any point in time. However, aside from the normal issues associated with even a healthy pregnancy, doctors say hormonal changes during gestation increase blood flow to the pelvis and relax supportive tissues, while the growing foetus causes increased pressure on blood vessels.

“During labour, haemorrhoids may develop because of the intense pressure on the anal area while pushing to deliver the baby,” Jacobs enthuses.

He adds, “Other medical conditions such as long-term heart and liver disease may cause blood to pool in the abdomen and pelvic area, enlarging the veins and resulting in haemorrhoids.”

Healthy diet is it

Despite the inconveniences associated with this health issue, Harvard scientists are of the opinion that it could be taken care of when the sufferer adopts healthy lifestyle.

To start with, they advocate getting more fibre into the diet from food. “Along with adequate fluid, fibre softens stools and makes them easier to pass, reducing pressure on the anus,” they say.

High-fibre foods include broccoli, beans, wheat and oat bran, whole-grain foods and fresh fruit. They also suggest intake of fibre supplements under the supervision of a competent physician, to help decrease haemorrhoidal bleeding, inflammation, and enlargement.

“Meanwhile, water is the best remedy to cure piles naturally,” Afijabi says. He suggests taking between eight and 10 glasses of water every day.

Banana is also a fruit of choice in tackling constipation and piles; and Jacobs suggests that it is recommended every day after each meal or early in the morning before you eat anything.

Spicy foods and alcohol are no-nos for piles patients. Jacobs says alcohol leads to dehydration, which will further worsen piles symptoms.

Other fruits recommended for ‘treating’ haemorrhoids include tangerine, apples, mango, tomatoes, lime and pawpaw, which, when taken regularly, improve bowel movement.

They also advise reduction of caffeine products, as they reduce water in the body, leading to dehydration.

In addition to foods, the physicians also recommend moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walk for about 20-30 minutes daily to stimulate bowel function.

Jacobs also says postponing bathroom visits when you first feel the urge can lead to faeces becoming hard in the anus, leading to difficulty when you eventually make up your mind to use the bathroom.

Doctors also say over-the-counter haemorrhoids creams containing a local anaesthetic can temporarily soothe pain. Says Jacobs, “Creams and suppositories containing hydrocortisone are also effective, but don’t use them for more than a week at a time, because they can cause the skin to atrophy.”