Haemorrhoids are badly swollen, inflamed veins located both around the anus and along the very lowest part of the colon in the rectum. The swollen veins that are external are commonly referred to as piles or external haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoids are unique to humans, no other animal has this problem. It is estimated that nearly 75% of all adults in the Western world will suffer from haemorrhoids at some point and that is why the causal factors are thought to be predominantly dietary and ageing.

The symptoms of external haemorrhoids, those that protrude outside the body, are typically itching, pain and bleeding. When faecal matter passes through the anal region, some of these inflamed veins cannot resist the pressure and hence rupture releasing their contents which causes pain in the region, itching and blood spots. External haemorrhoids can cause discomfort and disruption in your daily activity.

Internal haemorrhoids on the other hand are usually painless. Whilst you may see some blood spots or staining, the discomfort is significantly less, however one should go and visit your GP at the first sign of blood to rule out any possible links to other diseases.

Your lifestyle can have a great influence on keeping haemorrhoids at bay. I encourage people who suffer from haemorrhoids to:

Drink lots of water – Water is essential for the proper functioning of all physical and chemical activities carried out within our bodies. Dehydration causes your body to reabsorb water from waste matter causing the stools to harden resulting in excessive straining.

Eat a healthy and fibre-rich diet – Your daily diet is a major contributory factor to your wellbeing. Constipation is one of the major reasons that can lead to haemorrhoids. A diet rich in processed foods and foods high in fat leads to constipation and thus increases the likelihood of suffering from haemorrhoids. Fibre-rich foods such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables add bulk to the stool making it easier to pass through the intestinal tract without putting strain or pressure on the rectal region.

Watch your weight – People who are overweight are more likely to suffer from haemorrhoids. This is because the excess fat in the body puts pressure on all the veins especially those in the rectal region. Obese people should not sit for extended periods of time because their entire body weight puts pressure on the rectal region. Taking regular exercise is important because aside from losing weigh it increases circulation to all parts of the body helping to move blood from the swollen veins in the rectal region. Activities like gentle walks and swimming are preferable because over-exertion can have the reverse effect.

Lavatory habits – Do not sit on the toilet for too long because not only are you putting pressure on the rectal veins, you may also strain excessively to pass a motion adding to the pressure that already exists. Go to the toilet as soon as you need to; the longer you delay this the more time the body has to reabsorb moisture from stools causing them to harden.

A little adjustment to your diet, lifestyle and lavatory habits can go a long way to prevent recurrent haemorrhoids.

What are the best supplements for haemorrhoids?

As mentioned above, the causal factors for haemorrhoids are predominantly diet and ageing. Refined and processed foods laden with fats are one of the factors as is a lack of fibre in our diets. In the UK, The Department of Health recommends a minimum amount of 18 grams a day from a variety of food sources and yet the average person in the UK consumes approximately 12 grams leading to deficiencies. Increasingly, research points to a figure of 30-35 grams being an optimal amount. It is therefore clear that we should increase our fibre intake and a very easy and palatable form is by way of using Complete Fiber Cleanse on a daily basis. Simply take two teaspoons a day and sprinkle onto food or simply mix with some juice or water. It is vital to ensure that we address our fibre intake deficiency for numerous other reasons which include stabilising blood sugar levels, soothing the inflamed linings in our gastrointestinal tract and inhibiting the absorption of dietary cholesterol and fats thus reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease. Whether you suffer from haemorrhoids or not, please use Complete Fiber Cleanse for its overall benefits to the wellbeing of our fragile body.

As we age, our circulatory systems age with use resulting in the fact that the heart has to beat with greater force to move blood around the entire body. Our veins, due to the same ageing process, get narrower, are more fragile and the valves within these veins lose their elasticity. All these factors lead to impeded blood flow, enlarged veins, such as varicose veins, and more prone to haemorrhaging such as those in haemorrhoids. A supplement that I believe to be important in preventing recurrent haemorrhoids is Diosmin Plus. This supplement contains a potent blend of botanicals that work to support the circulatory system through a variety of mechanisms including:

• Helping to enhance healthy blood flow in arteries, veins and capillaries.
• Maintaining the elasticity and tone of veins.
• Diminishing inflammation, the primary cause of capillary fragility leading to haemorrhaging.
• Protects collagen and elastin ensuring healthy valve function.

I believe that Diosmin Plus will play a vital role in preventing recurring haemorrhoids especially when diet and lifestyle factors are also addressed. Caution: Do not use Diosmin Plus if you are taking blood-thinning medications.

What is the best topical treatment for haemorrhoids?

If you suffer from haemorrhoids, the pain and discomfort can be so intense that you require something that gives you quick relief. The strategies on diets and supplements mentioned above are very important and will help to prevent recurring haemorrhoids however for immediate relief one will require the use of a soothing cream applied externally to the region.

Viridian Nutrition’s Organic Horse Chestnut Balm with Calendula and Lavender helps soothe and alleviate the discomfort of haemorrhoids. Horse Chestnut when applied locally enhances circulation to reduce the swelling associated with haemorrhoids. Additionally this herb is a great anti-inflammatory when applied topically which helps ease the pain and associated itching.

Anyone suffering from haemorrhoids need not feel ashamed or embarrassed about the situation. It is a manageable health issue that can be solved naturally by addressing one’s diet, lifestyle and by the use of appropriate supplements.

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