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Piles Prevention

If you've had piles, you'll be keen to keep them at bay. And the good news is, a few simple changes can make all the difference.

It's all about keeping unnecessary pressure off your abdomen.

• Eat lots of high-fibre foods to keep things moving as they should. Bump up your brown rice, wholemeal bread, vegetable and fruit intake, and minimise the things that bind you up, especially refined and processed foods like cakes and biscuits.
• Drink plenty of fluids, especially water and fruit juices. But cut back on the coffee and alcohol – they can dehydrate you, and next thing you know, you're constipated and straining on the loo.
• Take regular light exercise – walking and swimming are great piles-fighters.
• It may sound silly, but go to the toilet whenever you need to. Shy at work? Get over it! The alternative is much less pleasant.
• Save the reading for the sofa. Sitting on the loo for too long with much of your body weight bearing down on your bum is the kind of pressure you want to avoid.