Hemorrhoids: What Helps and What You Can Do Yourself

Itching, weeping, a feeling of pressure or bright red blood on the toilet paper: complaints in the anal area are uncomfortable for many people, even though they are very common and usually easy to influence. Enlarged haemorrhoids are among the most widespread causes. In this guide we put into perspective what lies behind them and what you can do yourself in everyday life.

What lies behind haemorrhoids

Everyone has haemorrhoids, because they are a natural, well-supplied cushion of blood vessels at the end of the rectum. Together with the sphincter muscle, it provides the fine sealing of the bowel, so that it closes reliably. This cushion is therefore a useful part of the anatomy, not a flaw. Only when it permanently enlarges, becomes overfilled with blood and shifts downwards do we colloquially speak of haemorrhoidal disease with symptoms.

This is favoured by everything that repeatedly increases the pressure in the anal area: chronic constipation, hard stool, strong and frequent straining during bowel movements, long sitting on the toilet with a smartphone, general lack of exercise, excess weight as well as hormonal and mechanical stresses during pregnancy and birth. A hereditary connective tissue weakness can also play a role. Typical signs are itching, burning, weeping, a foreign-body or pressure sensation, occasionally pain and bright red traces of blood on the paper or the stool. Depending on severity, various degrees are distinguished, from slightly enlarged cushions that only briefly protrude during straining, to permanently visible tissue.

When you should get it checked medically

Blood in or on the stool should always be checked medically, even if haemorrhoids are the most obvious explanation, because other causes can lie behind it. Seek advice promptly if bleeding occurs repeatedly, is heavy or the blood colour appears dark. The same applies with persistent pain, a palpable lump, prolapse of tissue, changes in bowel habits, unintended weight loss or if the complaints do not improve despite self-help. A medical examination clarifies the degree of severity and rules out more serious causes. This guide is no substitute for medical advice.

What you can do in everyday life

The central lever is a soft, well-formed stool, so that you do not have to strain. Take your time on the toilet, but avoid long sitting and strong pushing. Anyone who strains during bowel movements increases the pressure on the vascular cushions exactly where they are already sensitive. A small stool under your feet brings the body into a slightly squatting posture, which anatomically eases emptying and reduces straining. Also follow the urge to defecate promptly instead of suppressing it, because retained stool becomes harder.

Gentle, thorough cleaning with lukewarm water is often more pleasant than dry, hard paper. Do without aggressive, heavily perfumed wet wipes, which can additionally irritate the sensitive skin, and dab dry rather than rub. Regular exercise gets the bowel going and relieves the vessels; even daily walks, cycling or swimming help. Anyone who sits a lot at work should keep getting up, take a few steps and change their sitting position. Paying attention to a healthy body weight additionally relieves the pelvic floor. Mild, lukewarm sitz baths are experienced by many people as soothing and calming.

Movement, sitting and the pelvic floor

Long, uninterrupted sitting increases the pressure in the pelvic area and at the same time slows down bowel activity, an unfavourable combination. If your everyday life is predominantly sitting, deliberately plan islands of movement: getting up while phoning, stairs instead of the lift, a short walk after every hour. These small interruptions keep digestion going and relieve the venous vessels.

A well-trained but not cramped pelvic floor supports continence and blood circulation in the lower pelvis. Gentle pelvic floor exercises, in which you consciously tense the muscles and then relax them again, can be built into the day inconspicuously, for example at traffic lights, at your desk or in a queue. It is important to keep breathing calmly and not to strain with held breath. Consciously relaxing the sphincter after a bowel movement is also part of it. Anyone who is unsure can get guidance from a physiotherapist.

In addition, it is worth taking a critical look at your own habits: anyone who uses the toilet as a place to read or use the phone often sits far too long and unnoticed exerts constant pressure. Resolve to stay seated only as long as is really necessary, and not to combine the toilet visit with other activities. Heavy lifting with held breath and strong straining also burdens the pelvic floor; here it helps to breathe out consciously when lifting.

Nutrition that supports you

With haemorrhoids, in nutrition almost everything revolves around fibre and fluid. Fibre from wholegrain products, pulses, vegetables, fruit, oats, linseed and psyllium husks binds water in the bowel and makes the stool softer and more voluminous, which significantly eases emptying. Especially practical are soaked psyllium husks or ground linseed, which you can stir into muesli, yoghurt or a smoothie. Increase the amount of fibre slowly over a few days so that the bowel can get used to it and no bloating arises.

Just as important is drinking enough, ideally water or unsweetened tea, because fibre can only swell properly with enough fluid, otherwise it does the opposite. A good everyday goal is about one and a half to two litres spread over the day, more accordingly in heat or with sport. Dried plums, apricots and figs are proven, mild helpers for a smooth stool. Heavily processed, low-fibre products, a lot of white flour, large amounts of meat and excessively spicy foods can, by contrast, be unfavourable. A plant-focused, wholefood diet is the best basis for a smooth digestive everyday life.

A practical entry point is to look at the start of the day: a breakfast of wholegrain or oats with fruit and a few soaked linseed gets digestion going early. Over the day, vegetables at every meal, a piece of fruit as a snack and pulses several times a week help you reach the recommended amount of fibre inconspicuously. A glass of water right after getting up and with every meal also supports the goal of a soft stool. This way the favourable habits become routine, instead of reaching for them only in acute phases.

Nutrients & plants with a connection

A direct, authorised health claim specifically for haemorrhoids does not exist. There are, however, nutrients with a recognised connection to vessels, tissue and fluid balance. Vitamin C contributes to normal collagen formation for the normal function of blood vessels and helps to protect the cells from oxidative stress. Vitamin C is found abundantly in peppers, berries, citrus fruit, cabbage and broccoli.

An adequate fluid intake is also fundamental: water contributes to the maintenance of normal physical and cognitive functions as well as to the regulation of normal body temperature, whereby this effect requires an intake of at least two litres of water per day from all sources. Water-soluble fibre can, depending on the fibre, contribute to normal bowel function and make the stool softer. In traditional herbal lore, herbs such as witch hazel (Hamamelis) have long been used externally in connection with the skin. Nutrients and fibre complement a balanced diet but are no substitute for a medical assessment of symptoms.

Honestly put into perspective

The most important and at the same time most unspectacular piece of advice is: soft stool, no straining, more exercise. This is exactly what can be changed most in everyday life, usually with a noticeable effect on milder complaints. Nutrition, drinking and nutrients support this goal, but they are no substitute for a medical examination, precisely because bleeding always belongs checked. Pronounced or recurring complaints need professional support, in which self-help and medical options work well together. Those who maintain the basics permanently, instead of thinking of them only in acute phases, at the same time prevent the next bout.

Frequently asked questions (FAQ)

Are haemorrhoids dangerous?

In most cases they are harmless, if uncomfortable. But because bleeding can also have other causes, it should be checked medically to rule out anything more serious.

Do haemorrhoids go away on their own?

Mild complaints often improve when you avoid constipation, eat plenty of fibre, drink enough and move more. More pronounced complaints often need a targeted treatment.

What should I eat with haemorrhoids?

A fibre-rich diet with wholegrains, pulses, vegetables, fruit as well as linseed and psyllium makes the stool softer. It is important to drink enough alongside this.

Do sitz baths help?

Many people find mild, lukewarm sitz baths pleasant and calming for the irritated area. They are a simple self-help measure but, with persistent complaints, are no substitute for medical advice.

Does a foot stool on the toilet help?

A small stool brings the legs into a slightly squatting position, which anatomically eases emptying. As a result, you have to strain less, which lowers the pressure on the vascular cushions.

Can I prevent haemorrhoids?

Yes. A fibre-rich diet, plenty of fluid, regular exercise, no strong straining and a healthy body weight noticeably lower the risk.

Are haemorrhoids normal in pregnancy?

They occur more frequently during pregnancy and after birth, since pressure and hormonal changes stress the tissue. With complaints, it is sensible to consult the practice caring for you.