Hemorrhoids affect 20% of patients with pathologies of hemorrhoids; this is a common non-infectious disease. It occurs in males and females; the incidence of the disease is proportional to age. Due to age-related characteristics, the strength of the connections between the mucous membranes and the walls of the anus decreases.
Problems with venous changes in hemorrhoids do not make a person feel constant discomfort and dwell on it. Therefore, after exacerbations with a chronic stage, people live a free life; they may have a desire to drink alcohol. Alcohol is an attribute of holidays and feasts; it is difficult to completely give it up.
A person with this disease, after an evening where a large amount of alcoholic drinks was drunk, begins to feel a burning sensation with pain between the buttocks, and realizes that he made a mistake - he forgot about the problem.
Is it possible to drink alcohol if you have hemorrhoids?
Alcoholic drinks have the ability to increase blood flow to the pelvic organs. As a result, congestion in the venous network increases, and pressure in the hemorrhoidal plexuses increases. Regular consumption of alcohol for hemorrhoids disrupts local blood circulation and provokes complications of the disease.
This is manifested by the following signs:
- constant pain that does not depend on bowel movements;
- loss of nodes;
- increased inflammation with general weakness, increased body temperature;
- hemorrhoidal bleeding and its consequence – anemia;
- strangulation or thrombosis of the node;
- rectal fissures that do not heal for a long time;
- formation of fistulas;
- suppuration of the tissue surrounding the rectum - paraproctitis;
- insufficient closure of the anus with fecal incontinence.
Most of these conditions can only be treated with surgery. Long-term consequences of advanced hemorrhoids include intestinal polyposis, prostatitis in men, chronic inflammation of the ovaries in women, accompanied by infertility.
What prevents a person from giving up alcohol at the table?
First of all, you lack the willpower not to drink at all. Those sitting next to you and wondering “why don’t you share a toast with everyone” can be explained by the fact that you are sick, take medications, and you are not allowed alcohol.
It neutralizes the effects of drugs, and most people know about this, as they have heard it from their doctors under various circumstances.
But the person has a complex and is uncomfortable admitting at the table that he suffers from hemorrhoids. For those who do not suffer from it, this information can, in addition to sympathy, cause not entirely pleasant emotions.
In addition, when they drink, they have a good snack, and you want to allow yourself to try that delicious smoked fish or spicy salad. But in the morning you will suffer from both headaches and hemorrhoidal pain. Beer harms hemorrhoids.
You may not attend any events, limiting yourself to celebrating the New Year, March 8 and February 23, etc. Among your family, who know about your problem, sympathize and will not force you to drink alcohol.
After a fair amount of alcohol and unhealthy foods, a person may feel tingling and pain in the anus.
Statistics say that 30% of patients go to the doctor for the first time after vigorously celebrating some holiday. People suddenly, after a fair amount of alcohol and unhealthy foods (compatibility with alcohol is poor), feel tingling and pain in the anus. How can you avoid such problems?
Is it possible to drink beer if you have hemorrhoids?
Common misconceptions include the belief that there are alcoholic drinks that are less harmful or that there is a safe dose. This applies to a greater extent to the prevention of varicose veins of the rectal plexus, but if the process has already occurred, any alcohol for hemorrhoids is equally harmful.
Strong drinks contain more ethanol, which has a sharp vasodilating effect, while weaker ones act more slowly, but ultimately lead to similar consequences. Beer for hemorrhoids also provokes bloating, enhances fermentation processes and pain.
Alcohol and its effect on the condition after surgery
When drug treatments are powerless, you have to resort to surgery. Here it is important to consider the compatibility of alcohol and hemorrhoids.
Doctors are unanimous on this issue - after surgery for hemorrhoids, you should abstain from alcohol. Moreover, the longer such abstinence lasts, the better for the patient’s health. If you do not adhere to this recommendation, then the disease may return and bleeding may recur. This is due to the fact that alcoholic drinks slow down blood clotting.
Also, the ban on liquids with degrees is explained by the incompatibility of antibiotics prescribed after surgery with them.
Is alcohol harmful after hemorrhoid removal?
Surgical treatment is the main radical method of getting rid of bridle loss, inflammation and intense bleeding. It is carried out in the form:
- open surgery;
- ligation (ligation) of the node;
- administration of a sclerosing agent;
- cauterization (coagulation).
With all methods, it is possible to eliminate the consequences of hemorrhoidal disease, but not its cause. Hemorrhoids after alcohol in patients recur much faster than in non-drinkers. Quite often this happens with regular consumption of spicy, meat foods and a lack of fiber in the diet. Constipation and an inactive lifestyle are also predisposing factors.
Treatment of hemorrhoids
Before treating diseases, doctors conduct a full examination to confirm the diagnosis in order to prescribe precise therapy. Varicose veins of the rectum are diagnosed by visual examination at an appointment with a proctologist. A digital examination assesses the degree of damage.
Next, anoscopy and sigmoidoscopy are performed in functional diagnostic rooms. The first is carried out using a small device at a depth of 10-15 centimeters; it helps the doctor visually assess the condition of the intestinal mucosa. The second, in detail, over a length of up to 25 centimeters, excludes malignant neoplasms in the thickness of the sigmoid and rectum. After accurately identifying the problem and the stage of development of a particular case of varicose veins, treatment is recommended depending on the severity of the inflammatory phenomena. In mild stages, a conservative treatment method is sufficient to relieve pain and the risk of complications. Internal and external medications are prescribed.
Orally, that is, for oral use, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as analgin or diclofenac, are prescribed in tablets. They relieve pain and relieve inflammation. In the form of capsules and ointments, venotonic agents - venoton and troxevasin - are used to improve the condition of blood vessels. Through injection routes, hemostatic agents are used, which help speed up the blood clotting process, thereby helping to avoid bleeding; solutions of vikasol and calcium chloride are used. So, it is imperative that laxatives and enemas are prescribed in treatment on a regular basis to normalize stool. To reduce pain, Vishnevsky ointment and Levomekol are recommended. It is contraindicated to combine alcohol with treatment - in this case, attempts to recover will be useless. Alcoholic drinks reduce the effect of drugs.
In the absence of a positive effect of therapy, doctors use various techniques to influence hemorrhoids, which are carried out in hospital treatment. Infrared radiation, sclerotherapy, ligation of nodes with latex rings, cryotherapy. The procedures are carried out when there is no exacerbation of the disease. These measures can completely rid the patient of hemorrhoids; after manipulation, they die, are rejected, and wounds form at their locations, which soon heal.
At the fourth, most severe stage, a decision is made on surgical treatment. During an operation called hemorrhoidectomy, the nodes are excised and the edges of the wound are sutured. In most cases, the procedure takes place without complications, but it is followed by minor temporary restrictions from physical activity and hot baths.
Alcohol after surgery is also strictly contraindicated - antibiotics prescribed by a doctor after surgery to avoid infection are incompatible with ethyl alcohol. Ignoring this instruction can lead to dangerous consequences. The best thing is not treatment, but prevention of the disease. To do this, you need to follow the rules of prevention.
When can you drink alcohol if you have hemorrhoids?
In the first six months after hemorrhoidectomy, patients are completely prohibited from drinking alcohol. In the future, the negative effect of alcohol on hemorrhoids remains, but in exceptional cases no more than one glass of wine is allowed and no more than 2 times a week.
It is recommended to take the following precautions:
- drink enough plain water;
- eat more salads made from fresh vegetables, seasoned with vegetable oil;
- Along with alcohol for hemorrhoids, do not consume salty and spicy foods, fried foods, canned food, marinades;
- Avoid overeating, strong coffee, tea.
Preventing complications after drinking alcohol:
- Before drinking alcoholic beverages, take activated carbon and vitamins;
- Control the food you eat, replace unhealthy foods with healthy ones, for example, vegetables or fruits;
- Drink more water to reduce dehydration;
- Do not drink coffee or carbonated drinks under any circumstances.
A situation may arise: a person forgot, did not think, drank, and an aggravation occurred. There was excruciating pain, burning, and bleeding. Complications include organ cracks and the growth of polyps.
How to reduce the risk of hemorrhoid complications
To stop the progression of the disease and prevent serious consequences, patients need to:
- stop smoking;
- do not lift heavy objects;
- avoid strength sports that cause a sharp and significant increase in intra-abdominal pressure;
- when working while sitting, warm up every 60-90 minutes, walk more often;
- follow the rules of nutrition - avoid constipation, bloating, exclude spicy foods, increase the proportion of fresh vegetables and fruits in the diet;
- at initial signs of exacerbation (pain during defecation, itching, appearance of blood), use prescribed medications - antihemorrhoidal suppositories (Relief, Proctosan), venotonics (Detralex, Phlebodia).
Prevention of hemorrhoids
These instructions should be used by people of different ages and genders. Regardless of whether healthy or not, advice should be followed during drug treatment, during periods of transition to the chronic stage. Lifestyle changes are a common cause of knots, such as a sedentary lifestyle. It should be avoided. Naturally, the majority of work and study sessions are spent sitting in one place, but this does not mean that you can no longer move. Walking, replacing public transport with walking is a good habit. During sedentary work, take breaks of 5-10 minutes as often as possible and do a warm-up. Spend your free time not at home, sitting at the computer, but go to the pool, do gymnastics or fitness. Replace soft chairs with furniture made of hard material.
Nutrition - violation of the rules of diet leads to stool disorders and difficulties during bowel movements. Eat in small portions, 5-6 times a day, drink more water. Eliminate fatty, salty, spicy and smoked foods from your diet. Avoid alcohol.
Train your body to empty its bowels in the morning, after breakfast. Go to the toilet at the first urge, without postponing the process until later. And, conversely, if you have difficulties with stool ejection, you should not sit in the toilet for hours and once again force the pelvic organs to strain.
Follow personal hygiene rules carefully. Take sitz baths, and after going to the toilet, wash with water, not toilet paper. Avoid strenuous physical work and do exercises to restore blood circulation.
Most importantly, don’t be ashamed to see a doctor. At the first signs, come for an appointment at the proctologist’s office as soon as possible. Compliance with the rules of prevention and complete abstinence from drinking alcoholic beverages will relieve you from the painful consequences of hemorrhoids.
Author of the article: Yakovlev Evgeniy Anatolyevich
Narcologist, Candidate of Medical Sciences.
Education:
Russian State Medical University (1990-1996), Russian Academy of Postgraduate Education (1996-1998, residency).
Diet for hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids and alcohol are undoubtedly mutually exclusive concepts. Plain water is recognized as the best drink for patients. Taking it helps prevent constipation, soften the contents of the intestines, and speed up the healing process. It is extremely important to drink at least 400 ml of cool water on an empty stomach in the absence of contraindications (renal or cardiac edema).
Meals for patients should be divided, at least 5 times a day. The menu must include foods with a laxative effect - raw vegetables, juices, fresh fermented milk drinks, bran. Mandatory components of the diet also include:
- first courses: borscht, beetroot soup, whey okroshka, pearl barley, vegetable soup;
- pumpkin porridges and casseroles;
- salads with seaweed and beets;
- sweet plums and apricots, ripe bananas;
- porridge of their whole grains in water with bran, nuts, flax seeds;
- drinks and dishes with dried fruits - prunes, dried apricots, figs;
- decoction of flaxseed;
- fresh fermented milk drinks.
In addition to alcohol, the following are contraindicated for hemorrhoids:
- fatty meat dishes, broths;
- hot sauces and seasonings;
- rice and semolina porridge, mashed potatoes;
- white bread, pastries;
- jelly, jelly;
- blueberries, persimmons.
Adviсe
Those who do better than others are those who know that they have hemorrhoids and do not drink alcohol. A moderate user is reasonable.
At a feast, give preference to salads, preferably without mayonnaise.
If you can’t resist in companies, follow the recommendations:
- Have you had a glass of alcohol? Drink half a glass of water. And each time it takes twice as much water.
- Do the men at the table drink strong alcohol: vodka with whiskey and cognac? You can drink wine and it is best to dilute it with mineral water.
- If there is fatty, smoked, fried or spicy meat near you, try to move these dishes away. Give preference to salads, preferably without mayonnaise, and fruits.
- After a holiday dinner or any time of the day after a heavy meal, take activated charcoal. If you haven’t been drinking, you can take medications that improve digestion. In any case, take a laxative in the morning. It will save you from stool stagnation, which happens when you eat a lot of different foods.
Conclusions that can be drawn for those who are interested in whether it is possible to drink alcohol and what kind if you have hemorrhoids? It is better to abstain even from low-alcohol wine with cocktails. Beer can only make hemorrhoids worse.
If you have suffered from severe pain and bleeding for a long time, then think a hundred times before drinking in company.
After all, this condition can return, especially at the initial stage of treatment. Nutrition should be gentle. Otherwise, you will run to the proctologist in the morning, complaining, but he will understand why you have an exacerbation, and you will feel ashamed of your incontinence.
Sample diet and recipes
For the intestines to function effectively, the menu should include foods and dishes with a cleansing effect. You can use this example:
- oatmeal with prunes and bran, carrot juice;
- omelette with herbs and cheese, tomato salad;
- beetroot soup, stew of Jerusalem artichoke, carrots and pumpkin;
- cottage cheese and fruit casserole, yogurt;
- boiled fish, beetroot and seaweed salad with sesame seeds;
- kefir and rye bran bread.
Jerusalem artichoke, carrot and pumpkin stew
For preparation you will need:
- Jerusalem artichoke – 300 g,
- carrots – 200 g,
- pumpkin – 200 g,
- onions – 2 pieces,
- bell pepper – 2 pieces,
- paprika - teaspoon,
- dried basil - teaspoon,
- lemon juice - teaspoon,
- olive oil - a tablespoon.
Peel the Jerusalem artichoke, cut into strips and add salted water with a teaspoon of lemon juice to prevent it from darkening. Cut the pumpkin and carrots in the same way as the Jerusalem artichoke, and cut the pepper into strips. Mix all the vegetables, add salt, sprinkle with seasonings, pour over oil and place in a cooking sleeve. Bake at 180 degrees for 40 minutes in the oven.
Possible complications
If you drink alcohol while suffering from hemorrhoids, the following consequences may occur:
- vasodilation - as a result of this, blood flow begins to flow intensively to the anus. Hemorrhoids expand and are very painful. Under the influence of alcohol, the patient may not even notice it. But after sobering up, exacerbation of hemorrhoids will make itself felt;
- violation of the water-salt balance - alcohol causes a person to go to the toilet more often, as a result of which he loses a large amount of fluid. Water in the body is needed for many processes, including softening stool. When dehydrated, the patient experiences constipation. Hard fecal formations are more damaging to hemorrhoids;
- ethanol intoxication - pathology worsens the general condition of the body. As a result, hemorrhoids begin to hurt more severely after drinking alcohol, and inflammation intensifies;
- inhibition of gastrointestinal motility - if you drink alcohol during hemorrhoids, then digested food moves worse through the intestinal tract. As a result, constipation occurs;
- There is a lot of stress on the digestive system - if you have hemorrhoids, you should not drink alcohol, because after drinking it you will want to eat fatty or spicy food. This irritates the gastrointestinal mucosa. As a result, the inflammation of hemorrhoids worsens. Thrombosis may even form;
- deterioration of liver functionality - ethyl alcohol provokes serious pathologies of the organ. Up to cirrhosis. Even if it does not develop, disturbances in the functioning of the organ will lead to aggravation of hemorrhoids;
- malignant tumors - alcohol abuse with hemorrhoids can cause cancer. Such patients are registered in oncology. Everything could end sadly for them.
The pathologies listed above provoke serious illnesses that can even lead to death. This is why you should not drink if you have hemorrhoids.
Cottage cheese and fruit casserole
For this dish you need:
- cottage cheese 5% fat – 600 g,
- sour cream 10% - 3 tablespoons,
- oat bran – 3 tablespoons,
- egg - 1 piece,
- fruits for decoration - kiwi, banana, tangerines,
- dried apricots - 10 pieces,
- fructose - a heaped tablespoon,
- vanilla sugar – 3 g,
- mint - a few fresh leaves.
In separate containers, pour bran and dried apricots with boiling water for half an hour. Grind the bran with sour cream. Using a mixer or blender, beat cottage cheese, egg, sour cream, fructose and vanilla sugar. Cut dried apricots into small strips and mix with the main mass. Bake at 200 degrees for 30 minutes. When serving, garnish with fruit and mint leaves. This casserole is topped with whipped Greek yogurt and banana.
Find out what exercises you need to do for hemorrhoidal disease from the video: