Piles feature swollen veins in the anal region. It affects 10-12 of the Indian population, making it a common problem, prevalent particularly across India’s urban regions. The condition exhibits symptoms like itching, discomfort, lumps, swelling, etc., around the anus. These symptoms are closely related to what you eat while suffering from piles. So, it matters what you should eat and what you shouldn’t. Accordingly, let’s look at the Indian diet plan for piles, you can eat and foods to avoid when having hemorrhoids.
What are Piles?
Also called hemorrhoids, piles are inflamed or swollen veins in the anus or rectum that result in bleeding and discomfort. Those occurring inside the rectum are called internal hemorrhoids, and those under the anal skin are called external hemorrhoids. Some generic symptoms of piles include;
- Irritation or itching in the anal region
- Pain or discomfort, particularly during bowel movements
- Bleeding during bowel movements
- Swelling around the anal region
- A sensitive or painful lump near the anal area
Piles could result from the following.
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Straining during bowel movements
- During pregnancy due to the pressure exerted on the veins
- Prolonged sitting on the toilet
- Lifting heavy weights
Out of the above, straining during bowel movements is one of the most common reasons and is closely associated with the foodstuffs you eat. Eating appropriate foods can help ease bowel movements and prevent piles. However, those difficult to digest can lead to straining while passing the bowels. So, let’s look at some foods to eat and foods to avoid while suffering from hemorrhoids.
Foods to Eat During Piles
One of the keys to keeping piles away or gaining relief from it is eating fiber-rich foods. Let’s look at some generic options.
Note: Specific diet plans for piles may vary with the individual.
- Leafy Vegetables: Radish greens, spinach, celery mustard greens, fenugreek, etc., to keep the abdomen healthy and ease digestion
- Fresh Fruits: Grapes, oranges, apples, and bananas to enhance digestive health and smooth bowel movements
- Buttermilk: Curd or buttermilk as they are rich in probiotics, enriching gut microbes and enhancing digestive health
- Sprouts: Steamed or boiled sprouts to manage bowel irritation
- Whole Grains: Brown rice, bran cereals, multi-grain bread, whole grain flour, and oatmeal to form bulk stool and promote bowel movements
- Water: Enough water to break food, soften the bowel, absorb nutrients, and prevent constipation, straining, and therefore piles
5 Foods to Avoid with Hemorrhoids
Now that you know what you should generally eat, here’s what you must avoid.
- Low Fiber Foods: White bread, plain pasta, or noodles can make defecating challenging due to the low fiber content in them. Also, you must avoid salty and fried foods and deep-fried foodstuffs like burgers and French Fries.
- Refined Sugar Foods: Cakes, biscuits, and white rice have refined sugar, carbohydrates, or fats that can irritate the bowel and cause constipation.
- Alcohol: Alcohol disrupts the digestive balance by depleting certain nutrients and causing the gut to dehydrate.
- Raw Fruits: Raw bananas or other fruits may have constipating or irritating compounds increasing pain and discomfort.
- Spicy and Fermented Foods: Spicy foods cause constipation or diarrhea, triggering pain and discomfort associated with piles
Need Piles Treatment in Pune? Visit Dr. Suhasini Jadhav!
Piles are surely a painful condition, making every visit to the restroom dreadful. However, you don’t have to live with it as it is treatable. While having the right foods proves complementing, undergoing the right treatment provides quick relief from piles. If you want to do that, visit Dr. Suhasini Jadhav, one of the leading piles’ doctors in Pune with over 12 years of experience treating 6000+ patients. While treating piles clinically, Dr. Jadhav also provides a personalized piles diet chart and recommendations to treat the condition safely. Call +91 8010691351 to book an appointment.
