Quitting Caffeine to Cope with Hemorrhoids

Quitting Caffeine to Cope with HemorrhoidsFor many of us, a cup of coffee is part of every morning, but drinking too much can lead to digestive issues that may make hemorrhoids worse. If you’re undergoing treatment for hemorrhoids in Los Angeles, your colorectal specialist may recommend that you avoid things like:

  • Tea, especially high-caffeine varieties like black tea
  • Soft drinks and energy drinks
  • Chocolate
  • Excedrin
  • Coffee

Caffeinated items like these can worsen hemorrhoids because they stimulate the digestive system, potentially causing constipation or diarrhea. These issues can lead to bowel movements that irritate or reopen healing hemorrhoids, and while everyone responds to this stimulant differently, it is considered wise to avoid it whenever possible as you recover from hemorrhoids and work on preventing recurrence.

However, coffee and other caffeinated drinks are so ingrained in our culture and lifestyles that it may be difficult to give them up cold turkey. To reduce your risk of aggravating hemorrhoids with too much caffeine, it will help to:

Switch to a Satisfying Alternative

For many of us, a hot drink in the morning is a valuable part of jumpstarting the day, and minimizing your caffeine consumption doesn’t mean you have to give this up. You can still enjoy an invigorating beverage like:

  • Decaffeinated coffee. This beverage contains about 25 mg of caffeine, drastically less than the 95 to 200 mg of its fully-caffeinated counterpart.
  • Green tea. Among caffeinated teas, green tea has one of the lowest levels of caffeine at 24 to 40 mg per cup.
  • Herbal tea. These teas are typically devoid of caffeine and come in many flavors and varieties.

Gradually Reduce Your Intake

Quitting immediately can be difficult if you consume caffeine every day, and it can also lead to caffeine withdrawal. This can result in fatigue, headaches and lack of focus. Minimize your risk of these symptoms and give your body a chance to adapt by slowly introducing low-caffeine alternatives like those recommended above.

If you suffer from hemorrhoids in Los Angeles, cutting down on caffeine can be helpful as you heal. For more tips on avoiding discomfort and hemorrhoid recurrence, speak with your colorectal specialist.