Dealing with hemorrhoids – any advice?
in Health ·
feralsurfer172 said:Greetings.
I am 49 years old, and about a year ago, I started dealing with hemorrhoid issues:
a lump that would retract after a bowel movement, some "yellow residue," occasional bleeding, and lingering pain after going that could last all day
including several consecutive days of bleeding combined with constipation. Typical progression for this condition.
I know—just the mileage catching up to me...
The best course of action is to see a doctor and get a consultation.
After managing the bleeding using Fact ointment, I attempted to overhaul my habits and lifestyle.
My protocol:
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1.) To minimize straining, I have adjusted myself to have two movements instead of one daily: once in the morning before work and again around 6:00 PM after dinner.
2.) When using the restroom, I don't sit on the seat (doctors say that position puts undue pressure on the veins), but rather stand with my feet right next to the toilet bowl. I engage my abdominal muscles and, before the actual release, squat to do my business.
Then I straighten up, usually finishing in just 2 or 3 attempts.
The impression is that it significantly reduces the strain on the affected areas.
The downside is that occasionally a bit of "material" flies "off target" onto places we’d rather avoid. Gross—literally a shit situation...
It requires a little extra attention to manage.
3.) After finishing and wiping thoroughly, I follow up with a rinse with clean, cool water: not ice cold, not hot.
Technique: I sit in the tub, grab the showerhead, and let it rip (using the toilet forces the body back into that awkward position).
Online (though I can't find the specific link now), a physician advised that one should wash deeply.
Then, I wipe once more with paper to catch any moisture or residual fluid.
Finally, wash your hands about 20 times!!!
4.) Perform sphincter muscle exercises.
The doctor mentioned in point 3 that squeezing and releasing the muscle for a few minutes a day is sufficient.
I make sure to do this in the evening while brushing my teeth before bed.
5.) Consume foods that prevent hard stools and constipation.
This is a broad topic with many approaches.
For breakfast or dinner, I always have milk + cereal (oatmeal, rice, or corn) + honey.
Older folks often struggle to digest milk; perhaps it acts as a mild laxative for them.
For example, magnesium (like Mg/"Donat mg") acts as a laxative, as does leafy greens.
With enough milk daily, it's difficult for stools to become "hard as stone."
At work, I take my dry meal from the bakery and "wash it down" with 1-2 dl of "Bioaktiv". I go through large packs of it.
Less meat—plenty of fruit and vegetables with high fiber...
6.) Increase physical activity, especially for those with sedentary jobs like mine.
Since it's currently warm out, it's easier to motivate myself now than during the winter or bad weather.
Conclusion:
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I haven't seen symptoms for a few weeks, so I'm enjoying the relief and staying vigilant.
I'm not deluding myself—given aging, the hemorrhoids will likely resurface.
A doctor's visit is essential because bleeding can also be a symptom of more serious illnesses.
Perhaps just one factor had an impact, such as the increased movement during this season?
Regardless, I notice that the absence of hemorrhoid issues coincides perfectly with the absence of constipation and regular, soft stools.
If you are at the beginning stages of hemorrhoid problems, perhaps some of this might offer you relief. It would please me to know, which is why I decided to share my experience.
feralsurfer172.
Good grief, if you had gone any further, you might as well have claimed you kiss her every night before bed and bring her breakfast in bed every single Christmas morning. -)))
You’ve listed quite a few things here, making it difficult to address everything individually. Personally, I would suggest cutting out dairy entirely, as it tends to harden things up. The core objective should be softening the stool, which really comes down to increasing fiber intake and eating more fruit. Eating one or two apples before heading to sleep is often enough to ensure things move smoothly in the morning... provided you also cut out the alcohol and chocolate, both of which contribute to the hardening process...