Summer is prime time for vacation and relaxation. But if you have hemorrhoids, you may find the heat and humidity that comes with the season a bit more than you can handle.
Though the summer heat may exacerbate your symptoms, there’s no need to spend all season soaking in a sitz bath. Board-certified family physician Dr. Betsy Clemens, at Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in St. Louis, Missouri, specializes in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
She wants to share some of her best tips on how you can deal with your hemorrhoids in the heat of summer.
With vacation and kids home from school, your usual routine may be a bit off during summer. You may be skipping meals and eating more take-out.
One of the most important at-home treatments for hemorrhoids is a high-fiber diet, which may prevent constipation and the straining that typically leads to the swollen anal veins. With a change in your routine and eating habits, you may not be getting enough fiber in your diet.
Luckily, summer is a great season for delicious high-fiber fruits and vegetables like strawberries, blueberries, watermelon, bell peppers, and tomatoes. To keep your fiber intake up, be sure to include a regular stop at the local farmer’s market to stock up on in-season fresh fruits and vegetables.
Like fiber, you need to drink an adequate amount of fluid every day to prevent the constipation that may cause or exacerbate your hemorrhoids. This is especially important when you’re adding more fiber to your diet. Too much fiber without enough fluid may worsen constipation.
The heat of summer increases your body’s water loss, too, which means you need to drink more when temperatures rise. It’s even more important to stay adequately hydrated if you’re exercising or engaging in any activity that makes you sweat, such as gardening or mowing the lawn.
In general, women need 11.5 cups of fluid a day and men 15.5 cups, says the Mayo Clinic. However, your fluid needs may vary depending on your diet and activity.
We can help you determine how much fluid you need to drink this summer to keep your hemorrhoid symptoms at bay.
You may already know that sitting too long on the toilet worsens hemorrhoid symptoms. But sitting for long periods of time in general irritates your hemorrhoids and increases pain and itching.
Whether you’re taking a road trip or sitting in your backyard, be sure to take breaks to stretch your legs, move around, and prevent worsening of your hemorrhoid symptoms.
Between the heat and the humidity, you may struggle to get relief from the anal itchinness or anal pain caused by your hemorrhoids. We understand and encourage you to contact us when your hemorrhoid symptoms affect your quality of life.
Though treatment for hemorrhoids may depend on the type and severity of your symptoms, we offer infrared coagulation (IRC) treatment for patients suffering from irritable hemorrhoids. The nonsurgical, in-office treatment only takes a few minutes to perform, requires no downtime, and improves symptoms within 7-10 days.
Don’t let your hemorrhoids ruin your summer fun. Call our office at 636-228-3136 or contact us online today.
