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Hemorrhoids are very common. Sometimes they called piles. It is normally present veins in the anus and rectum that become swollen and inflamed. The peak age for hemorrhoids is 45-65 years. People over the age of 50 are more likely to develop this condition.
Hemorrhoids' Symptoms
Pain is the main symptom of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids, especially external hemorrhoids can be quite painful. Even internal hemorrhoids when they become prolapsed can cause a lot of discomfort. Whatever form of hemorrhoids you may have, they can make life living hell for you.
Internal hemorrhoids (ones that are inside the anal cavity) usually cause painless bleeding at the end of a bowel movement. Blood can be a sign of a serious problem – better visit your doctor.
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Another hemorrhoids' symptom is a sensation of fullness – most often it is described as feeling the urge to have a bowel movement even when there is no stool. Straining worsens the discomfort.
Women with hemorrhoids could have acute pain, itching and irritation around the anus. This often occurs when the hemorrhoid has prolapsed and can be seen outside the anus or it can be caused when a blood clot develops or the hemorrhoid becomes twisted. Sometimes women could have painful lump or swelling around the anus. These could be a serious complication and visit to your doctor is recommended.
External hemorrhoids (outside the anus) can often be felt as a bulge in the anus. External hemorrhoids also can be itchy and painful.
Important to know about hemorrhoids:
Hemorrhoids can be often confused with anal fissures. When people see spots of blood on the toilet paper and have pain with bowel movements, they often immediately think it's hemorrhoids when the problem may really be a small but painful tear called an anal fissure.
Anal fissures are considered as complication from constipation. If stools are dry and hard, the anal sphincter is forced open wider than normal, resulting in a tear, or anal fissure. There are often some spots of bright red blood on the toilet paper.
Anal fissures also cause a sharp, stinging, often severe pain with the passage of each bowel movement (whereas hemorrhoids often cause bleeding but no pain).
Natural and Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids
There are many products which are highly effective at getting rid of hemorrhoids. Different women are more sensitive to specific natural remedies, so why it is recommended to try all and select the most effective one.
The following natural remedies can help to alleviate the pain, and even prevent your condition from worsening.
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Fiber. Fiber shows a consistent beneficial effect in relieving hemorrhoids' symptoms and bleeding. It can soften stool and increase its bulk, which helps to reduce straining. Fiber can also improve other unpleasant hemorrhoids' symptoms as itching, discomfort and pain.
It is recommended to eat foods high in fiber, such as whole grains and vegetables. Psyllium powdered fiber supplement can be also used effectively for fighting constipation and hemorrhoids.
How to use - typical amount of psyllium is one teaspoon of the husks in water followed by another glass of water.
Another fiber source can be ground flaxseeds.
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Psyllium Seeds are well known as the best for fiber diet. Constipation is one of main causes of hemorrhoids in women. Low-fiber diet can be a main cause of constipation. Lack of fiber in your diet can cause the body to form small and hard stools which are very painful to pass and put great strain on the anal canal and provoke hemorrhoids. The easiest way to increase fiber in your diet is to have Psyllium seeds. Psyllium is an excellent source of fiber and for those who have hemorrhoid, natural treatment such as this can be most effective.
How to use - start with only one teaspoon of psyllium seeds everyday in the morning in an 8 ounce glass of water for one week. Increase the quantity to one more teaspoonful of psyllium seeds in the afternoon. Finally, make it a habit to have these seeds three times a day with 8 ounce glass of water every day.
If you are including psyllium seeds in your diet, you don’t require another fiber supplement. Make sure that you stay well hydrated since fiber needs adequate amounts of water to make large, soft stools.
Remember - whatever the source of fiber, it's important to drink sufficient water or constipation may worsen.
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Sitz Bath. Warm water can relax the muscles of the anus sphincter and lessen the pain that is caused by hemorrhoids' protrusion.
How to do it - fill it with warm but not very hot water and immerse your bottom in it for 10-15 minutes. This provides you quick relief from sore hemorrhoids. You can repeat it several times a day. It is not recommended to add anything to the water, like bath salts or essential oils. Sometimes your doctor can recommend something special for adding to water bath which can be used effectively.
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Bioflavonoids are plants which are know for it's ability to stabilize and strengthen blood vessel walls by decreasing inflammation. They have been found to reduce anal discomfort, pain, and anal discharge during an acute hemorrhoid attack. Side effects of bioflavonoids appear to be mild and rare, making them a promising treatment for hemorrhoids in pregnancy.
The important contraindication - people taking tamoxifen for breast cancer.
Best sources for flavonoids are citrus fruits, diosmin, herperidin and oxerutins.
Daflon (product made with citrus bioflavonoids) was found to improve symptoms in pregnant women by day four of taking it and to reduce symptoms of pain, heaviness, bleeding, itching and discharge.
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Witch Hazel Compress or Cream - it is made from the leaves and bark of a plant called Hamamelis virginiana. It should be applied topically to the anal area in the form of witch hazel distilled liquid, ointment or medicated pads.
Witch hazel has the ability to decrease the bleeding of hemorrhoids by acting as an astringent. It can also relieve pain, itching and swelling associated with hemorrhoids.
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Butcher's Broom – it called also plant butcher's broom or Ruscus aculeatus or knee holly, box holly, and sweet broom. The origin of the name is coming from Europe - it was once used by butchers in Europe to clean their chopping blocks. Butcher's broom has a long history of traditional use for hemorrhoids and varicose veins. It is recommended in cases of poor circulation in the veins.
Butcher's broom extract contains anti-inflammatory and vein-constricting properties which can improve the tone and integrity of veins and shrink the swollen tissue.
How to use - it is usually recommended in capsule or tea form. The tea has a slightly bitter taste, so a bit of stevia or honey can be used to sweeten it. The tea can be made by steeping one teaspoon of the herb in a cup of hot water for 10 to 15 minutes. Butchers broom has also been shown to be effective when applied topically as an ointment or compress.
Contraindications include high blood pressure, benign prostate hyperplasia, pregnant and/or nursing.
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Horse Chestnut – this herb (Aesculus hippocastanum), like Butchers broom, is often recommended when there is poor circulation in the veins or chronic venous insufficiency. It is used to relieve symptoms such as swelling and inflammation and strengthen blood vessel walls. The active compound is believed to be aescin.
How to use - horse chestnut can be taken as a tea or in capsule form. It can also be applied externally as a compress. People with an allergy to the horse chestnut family, bleeding disorders or people taking blood thinners should not take horse chestnut. Only products made from the seeds or bark of the young branches should be used. Other parts of the plant are poisonous. Although uncommon, side effects have included kidney damage, severe bleeding, bruising, and liver damage.
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Triphala - An Ayurvedic compound of three fruits. It is well-known as a bowel tonic that gently relieves constipation without being a harsh stimulant.
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Application with Petroleum Jelly or Zinc Oxide Paste. Both are well known as effective applications for hemorrhoids' swelling and pain.
How to use - just wipe the swollen area dry with a soft cloth, dab a small amount of zinc oxide or petroleum jelly on a cotton ball and apply using gentle strokes.
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Topical application of chamomile or calendula. Can be applied as a compress or ointment.
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Hemorrhoids' Prevention
There are three basics that could reduce hemorrhoids symptoms:
•Adequate water intake (a minimum of six glasses a day)
•Adequate fiber in the diet
•Exercise
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