Coffee and Hemorrhoids- How Are They Related?

Sometimes the lip-smacking beverage could bring a threat to your health. Coffee seems to be a quintessential element for many people to get going and get that kick. But did you ever imagine that consuming coffee might result in the development of hemorrhoids? In this blog, we will see how coffee and hemorrhoids are related. And does tea also cause the same health problems as coffee? Our blog will be surrounded by such insights.

Caffeine present in coffee can cause restlessness, nervousness, insomnia, increased breathing and heart rate, upset stomach. So, too much quantity of caffeine can invite several problems, constipation and piles could be among those problems too.

How drinking too much coffee leads to piles?

Coffee is a stimulant. It can help you have a bowel movement sometimes. But wait! It can also cause dehydration and can harden your stool. This makes your stool stiff to get out of your body and hence, constipation knocks!

Coffee leads to dehydration and can have the opposite effect by irritating your stomach lining. Caffeine is also known to be the leading cause of constipation. So, you need to drastically cut down on your caffeine intake if you are looking forward to fighting constipation.

Several caffeine sources apart from coffee that you should avoid staying away from constipation are:

• Soda
• Tea
• Chocolate
• Energy drinks
• Several medications like Excedrin

How can you curb your habit of excessive caffeine intake?

Addiction is dreaded for a reason. The same goes for coffee and other caffeine sources. If you consume more than what is good for your body, you will invite many unwanted health issues. These following strategies will help you in limiting your caffeine intake.

Replace it/ find an alternative: Many people are addicted to drinking coffee or caffeinated tea in the morning. This addiction is mainly not for the substance but it forms a habit which people tend to stick to regularly in the long run. And then it becomes very difficult to get rid of the same. Try to find alternatives to caffeine. For example, you can have decaffeinated coffee that has very low caffeine than your usual coffee mug. You can have green tea with amazing flavors that have only 24-40 mg of caffeine per cup.

Cut it out slowly: Don not rush and decide to quit caffeine all at once. This might result in caffeine withdrawal leading to headaches, fatigue and trouble concentrating. So, tread slowly till you nail it. Incorporating the replacements that are mentioned above will help your body to adapt to the changes at a slow pace. This will allow your body to get used to the changes gradually.

Normal coffee v/s black coffee- which is more harmful for hemorrhoids?

You must know that if you already have the problem of frequent or chronic constipation, the intake of caffeine should be strictly restricted. One cup of back coffee contains 70-140 mg of caffeine. And a cup of coffee with milk or cream contains 55-65 mg of caffeine. So, clearly black coffee is harmful to hemorrhoids, more than a regular cup of milk coffee technically.

Such caffeine intake will dehydrate you and make your stool harder to pass. This leads to tears in the anal area or formation of lumps which are hemorrhoids. So, it’s better safe than sorry! You must gradually cut your coffee intake so that constipation doesn’t aggravate or find its way in if it does not exist.

Also read: Stool Softener Foods

Is green tea helpful in curing piles?

If you want to have some relief in the symptoms of piles, green tea could be of some help. The tannic acid present in green tea will help you with the reduction in swelling, controls bleeding as it has elements that lead to blood clotting and control profuse bleeding. Drinking green tea will also ease the pain associated with piles. So, you can replace your cup of coffee with green tea in order to have some relief and no side effects. Developing taste will take time, but you’ll start liking it eventually experiencing the benefits of the same.

If you think it is piles grade 3 or 4, no tea or coffee can help you get rid of hemorrhoids. Consult a doctor, get diagnosed and get the right treatment for piles. 

Also read: Green tea side-effects

Best ways to fight constipation that could lead to piles.

Just include these major changes in your lifestyle and then you can experience trouble-free bowel movement.

1. Drink plenty of water: Water is life and that’s what you need to keep going. Drink plenty of water to keep your digestive system in check. Enough water makes the problem of constipation and acidity go away. Water also helps in keeping your bowels clean with easy excretion of stool off the body.
2. Intake of fibers: Remember that a high fiber diet will help you most with your constipation problem. Increase your intake of whole grains, legumes, vegetables and fruits to help your stool getting bulky and pass off easily.
3. Exercise: Sedentary lifestyle is also one of the major causes of piles in adults. Sticking to your office chair for hours puts pressure on your rectal and sphincter muscles which can form a painful lump over time. Try to exercise daily and make a habit of leaving your chair and walking a little bit after every 40-60 minutes.

Conclusion

These guidelines will help you overcome the symptoms of piles. And you need to limit your coffee intake to avoid dehydration that could ultimately lead to hardening of stools and thereafter constipation. As we know that constipation is a crucial element for the formation of piles, keeping every reason to face such a problem would be a mistake. So, know about the replacement strategies and the ways to cope up with such caffeine addictions, or rather stringent habits. Remember, overuse of anything will result in its abuse and a lot of problems associated with it leading to medical interventions ultimately.

Visit piles doctor if you think the symptoms are getting severe or condition remains the same. You can also book an appointment for online consultation.

Also read: Ice Packs for hemorrhoids

Also read: Epsom salt for Piles