A reasonable diet can strengthen the body and prolong life; improper diet, however, can lead to diseases and premature aging, and is also one of the important causes of hemorrhoids. Clinically, it is found that patients with dry or hard stools or constipation are prone to developing hemorrhoids. A proper diet can keep bowel movements smooth, prevent the occurrence of hemorrhoids, and alleviate their symptoms. Therefore, dietary management has a positive significance for anorectal patients.
Generally speaking, foods are mainly divided into two categories: animal and plant, with a small amount of minerals. Animal foods are rich in protein, while plant foods, especially stems and leaves, are high in fiber. To ensure the intake of various nutrients, the diet should be diverse and avoid being monotonous or picky. A ratio of 1:1 for animal to plant foods is generally considered appropriate. Therefore, the diet should include a mix of meat and vegetables. To prevent hemorrhoids caused by dry stools and constipation, attention should be paid to: 1. Eat more foods rich in fiber.
Eat more green vegetables and fresh fruits. Because fiber-rich foods are not easily digested and absorbed by the human body, they can increase gastrointestinal motility, have a laxative effect, and help expel harmful substances from the intestines; 2. Pay attention to food hygiene.
Especially in hot summer, pay attention to the cleanliness of fruits, melons, and cold drinks to avoid enteritis and diarrhea, which can promote the formation of hemorrhoids.
There are many foods rich in fiber, such as wheat bran, rice bran, fresh bean pods, tender corn, peanuts, spinach, garlic seedlings, potatoes, pumpkin, carrots, sweet potatoes, kelp, etc., which should be consumed regularly. This is especially true for the elderly who are prone to constipation and should eat more of these foods. Foods that also have a preventive effect on hemorrhoids include red beans, pagoda tree flowers, black sesame seeds, Cistanche, pig and sheep large intestines, turtle meat, walnuts, bamboo shoots, honey, etc. For example, red beans decocted with Angelica sinensis have the function of treating hemorrhoid bleeding and prolapse; Cistanche can be used for the elderly, with effects of tonifying the kidney, strengthening yang, and moistening the intestines to relieve constipation; Pig and sheep large intestines have a good effect of stopping bleeding, relieving pain, and reducing swelling. Patients who consume more of the above foods can play a role in preventing the recurrence of hemorrhoids and alleviating symptoms. The following are several dietary therapy recipes for preventing hemorrhoids:
1. Mix 65 grams of honey and 35 grams of sesame oil with boiling water and take;
2. Peel one banana, add an appropriate amount of rock sugar, steam it in a separate bowl of water, and eat for several consecutive days;
3. 100 grams of fresh spinach and 100 grams of japonica rice. First, blanch the spinach in boiling water until half-cooked, chop it, and mix it into the japonica rice porridge. Bring to a boil and eat, twice daily;
4. Peel and cut 500 grams of fresh sweet potatoes, cook them in water until soft, then add a small amount of sugar and take before bedtime.
Patients with hemorrhoids should avoid spicy foods in their diet and try to eat less irritating foods such as liquor, yellow wine, chili peppers, Sichuan peppercorns, ginger, star anise, garlic, and green onions. This is because spicy foods directly stimulate the rectal mucosa, causing significant congestion, and a burning pain at the anus during defecation. Although eating spicy foods is not necessarily the main cause of hemorrhoids, excessive consumption can cause dysfunction of rectal blood vessels and nerves, circulatory disorders, and make it easier to develop hemorrhoids or worsen their symptoms. In addition, the diet should not be too much or too full, to avoid dry stools, difficult defecation, and aggravation of hemorrhoid attacks.