Hemorrhoids or piles are a serious ailment that is associated with the swelling and inflammation of the vascular structure present in the rectum and anus.

People might not talk about it, but hemorrhoids are actually a fairly common part of life. They become a problem when hemorrhoids start to become itchy, cause pain, or bleed.

The pain, tenderness, bleeding, and intense itching that accompany hemorrhoids are often enough to drive you up the wall. Fortunately there are a number of simple strategies to prevent hemorrhoids from interfering with your daily life.

Hemorrhoids are more likely to occur in people who have infrequent bowel movements. One of the easiest, most natural ways to become more regular is by filling up on fiber.

"Eat more fiber." "Stay hydrated."

That's the advice everyone gets about hemorrhoids -- and it's good. But what does it mean in real life, when you're at the grocery store or deciding what to put on your plate?

Here are some foods that are helpful:

1. Castor Oil – Castor oil has wide ranging properties like anti-oxidant rich, anti-fungal, anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory. Hence, this ingredient has the power to decrease the size of the piles and reduce pain in the individual.

2. Whole Grains - Whole grains are especially rich in insoluble fiber. This helps move your digestion along, which can help reduce pain and discomfort associated with piles. Beyond hearty whole-wheat flour and bread, this category also includes barley, corn, quinoa, brown rice, and oats. Oatmeal is an especially good option to include in your diet when you’re trying to reduce symptoms of piles. 

3. Beans, Lentils, and Nuts - Just 1/2 cup of beans, such as kidney, lima, or black beans, will cover about a third of your daily goal of fiber. About 20 almonds or pecans have around 3 grams of fiber. A 1/2 cup of edamame does, too, and it only has about half the calories.

4. Banana - Banana is another food that needs a special mention. Banana makes passing stools easy by reducing inflammation of the anal veins. Banana is antibacterial and prevents further infection and damage to the anal tissues. 

5. Fluids - Keeping yourself hydrated will help make stools softer and easier to pass. How much water you should drink depends on your age, sex, and activity level. Water is always a better option than other fluids in maintaining hydration.

Easy ways to add fiber:

The tips below offer some simple ways to add more high-fiber foods to your meals:

  • Start your day with a high-fiber breakfast. Eat a wheat bran cereal along with a sliced banana. Or, try peanut butter on whole-wheat toast. 
  • Eat carrot sticks for snacks. They're easy to prepare, taste great, and are low in calories. 
  • Use whole-grain bread instead of white bread for sandwiches. 
  • Eat fruits for treats. Try an apple and some raisins instead of a candy bar.

Foods to avoid:

It is a good idea to reduce the intake of low fiber foods which can result in constipation and at the same time can aggravate Hemorrhoids.  

  • Limit intake of dairy products including milk, cheese and other variety.  
  • Refined flour like white bread, pasta, noodles, etc.  
  • Red and processed meats which are low in fiber and high in sodium.  
  • Fried, salty and spicy foods will make hemorrhoids more sensitive and make it more painful. 
  • Caffeinated beverages and alcohol can harden your stool and may increase pain and discomfort.