A Natural Solution For Hemorrhoids
What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are engorged veins that appear in the anus and the rectum. We call them bleeding hemorrhoids when the original hemorrhoids become ruptured.
Hemorrhoids are surprisingly common with some fifty percent of adults in the USA suffering from this condition during their lifetime.
While some hemorrhoids are so small that they can go undetected for years or even a lifetime, others can be the cause of considerable pain and discomfort.
What are the different types of hemorrhoids?
- Internal hemorrhoids. Often hemorrhoids are internal and located in the anus making it difficult or even impossible to observe them.
- Sometimes hemorrhoids can start to protrude from the anus and when this happens it becomes relatively easier to see them. This condition is known as external hemorrhoids and these will often cause a painful swelling or a noticeable hard lump surrounding the anus. Blood may also be apparent and sometimes forms into a clot adding to the irritation and discomfort.
- With existing hemorrhoids, pressure in the anal area may well make the condition worse so that the hemorrhoid becomes enlarged until it may actually protrude from the anus. This is known as a prolapsed hemorrhoid.
What causes hemorrhoids?
Pressure in the anal sphincter, which is the muscle that surrounds the anal canal, is one possible cause. But it is not clear if this pressure causes a hemorrhoid or if it is the pressure which enlarges an already present hemorrhoid. If it is the latter, then the effect of straining or forcing a bowel movement could pull the hemorrhoids with the stool while the force of the stool, passing through a tighter sphincter, could cause hemorrhoids by enlarging the vein itself.
Pressure may also cause anal fissures, which is a tear in the anal canal. This condition will also normally result in bleeding from the rectum.
When a hemorrhoid is formed, excess blood is trapped in the vein. Since hemorrhoids are actually in the anal cavity, they may bleed because of constipation. Drinking plenty of water together with a high fiber diet will help to ensure a softer stool to prevent the bleeding hemorrhoids from being pressed against the anal wall.
Other causes of bleeding hemorrhoids
- Very weak rectal vein walls.
- Serious and ongoing constipation.
- Too much pressure on the rectal veins because of poor muscle tone or posture. due to prolonged sitting including sitting too long on the toilet.
- Hypertension in the portal vein.
- The excessive consumption of alcohol and/or caffeine.
- Pregnancy when many pregnant women suffer from hemorrhoids due to increased straining of bowel movements and hypertension.
What about fissures?
For a solution to anal fissures, try our all natural H-Fissures Formula
Is hemorrhoid surgery necessary?
While it is safer and more successful to treat hemorrhoids in their early stages, sometimes hemorrhoids become chronic or severe hemorrhoids - perhaps through neglect - and will then need extra careful treatment and even surgery.
- Hemorrhoidectomy surgery is the process where the hemorrhoid is removed surgically, usually as an outpatient procedure. Depending on the severity, a local anesthesia is all that is needed, providing pain relief afterwards for 6 to 12 hours.
- Laser Hemorrhoid surgery is a popular choice amongst health professionals and patients as it can be performed on an outpatient basis when the surgeon can pin point the tissue that needs to be treated and leave the surrounding area undisturbed. The laser seals off small blood vessels and nerves, and the procedure is not intrusive with minimal discomfort.
- Stapled hemorrhoidopexy is another procedure and one that uses a circular stapling device to remove hemorrhoidal tissue and close the wound. No incision is made. The hemorrhoid is lifted and then "stapled" back into place in the anal canal with often less pain after surgery than the traditional hemorrhoid surgery. The procedure is expensive and the risk of recurrence is higher. Some people may find urinating difficult after surgery and there may be some pain too while doing so. After care at home could necessitate pain relief, a bland diet and the use of ice packs with plenty of liquids and even stool softeners for a few days.
- Cryotherapy involves using super cooled gas or liquid to freeze the hemorrhoid and stop it from growing. In most cases, the hemorrhoid will shrink, shrivel and eventually die off. This method can only be used on external hemorrhoids. It is significantly less painful with few complications although there can be side effects of nerve irritation, numbness or tingling, or redness and irritation of the skin.
H-Hemorrhoids Formula
For an all natural formula that provides instant relief, try H-Hemorrhoids Formula
How to treat hemorrhoids
- Change your diet to one that is high in bulk and fiber to ensure no constipation. Your daily intake of fiber should be between 25 and 35 grams.
- There are some fruits that are especially helpful for relieving hemorrhoids – pure fruit juice with no additives, cherries, blackberries, blueberries, cantaloupe melons, red and black currants, pomegranate juice, oranges, bananas and papayas.
- Drink at least 6 to 8 glasses of water every day to avoid constipation.
- Take a stool softener or bulk laxative while the change of diet starts to work.
- Take a mild pain reliever if necessary but ensure it does not contain codeine as this can actually lead to further constipation.
- Include regular exercise such as walking (in spite of pain and discomfort) to help with constipation.
- Soothe the hemorrhoid area by sitting in a basin of warm water several times per day.
- Don't delay going to the toilet if you need to have a bowel movement.
- Try to train yourself to have a set time each day for this bowel movement and never sit on the toilet for longer than a couple of minutes.
- Use pads containing witch hazel for cleansing and soothing the area. These can be bought from your local pharmacy or health store. You could also soak a cotton ball in witch hazel and leave it on the opening to the anal canal for about an hour - several times per day.
- Instead of toilet paper, use fragrant-free baby wipes to clean the anus after each bowel movement, avoiding any rubbing or scrubbing.
- Use ice packs or a cold compress to relieve any swelling or when you feel they will be helpful.
- Many people find a hemorrhoids pillow to be helpful. This is doughnut shaped that comes in different sizes. Others prefer to use an ordinary small pillow for extra cushioning.
- Avoid lifting heavy objects and, if you must, then exhale as you lift the object but don't hold your breath.
- Treat coughing, diarrhea and of course constipation as soon as you notice any of these conditions.
- You may be tempted to scratch because of itchiness. Refrain from this because it will only make the hemorrhoid symptoms even worse.
- H-Hemorrhoids Formula will quickly reduce swelling giving fast relief whether you are suffering from external, internal, prolapsed or thrombosed hemorrhoids, providing a natural, gentle and safe alternative to painful hemorrhoid surgery.
See How to Identify Different Skin Conditions
Written by Jane Chitty
Jane writes for Healing Natural Oils, a producer and retailer of high-quality, all-natural treatments for a variety of conditions as well as a range of beauty products. Apart from writing about those various conditions, she also covers general health, environmental and other subjects of interest. She has lived in Kenya as well as Cape Town, South Africa and spent time in San Diego, USA. She now lives in Somerset, England with regular visits from her far-flung children and grandchildren. She is a keen gardener and enjoys growing fresh fruit and vegetables with her husband on their joint allotment. As a result, there is something available to use in the kitchen virtually all year round. Her regular posts can be found on our blog.