Natural Relief From Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are surprisingly common with three out of every four adults experiencing the pain and discomfort of this condition during their lifetime. It is the swollen veins in the rectum and anus that lead to this pain and discomfort.
While the reason hemorrhoids occur may be due to straining during bowel movements, being overweight or obese and during pregnancy, often the actual cause is unknown.
What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?
The symptoms - and the signs - of hemorrhoids usually depend on the type of hemorrhoid being dealt with.
One type is external hemorrhoids
These appear under the skin around the anus and the symptoms include:
- Itching or irritation in the anal region
- Pain or discomfort
- Swelling around the anus
- Bleeding
Another type is internal hemorrhoids
These appear inside the rectum, making it difficult to see or feel them. In addition, they rarely cause discomfort. However, straining or irritation when passing stool can cause:
- Painless bleeding during bowel movements. You might notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet.
- An internal hemorrhoid may sometimes push through the anal opening (known as a prolapsed or protruding hemorrhoid) and this can lead to pain and irritation.
A third type is thrombosed hemorrhoids
This type is caused if blood pools in an external hemorrhoid and forms a clot (thrombus). Symptoms can include:
- Severe pain.
- Swelling.
- Inflammation.
- A hard lump close to the anus.
Top ten tips for hemorrhoids...
1. You will find that cotton wool pads treated with witch hazel are soothing and comforting to the affected anal area.
2. Frequent warm baths or a sitz bath can also be very soothing, sitting in a basin of warm water for ten minutes or so twice a day. Ice packs are another method to provide relief for the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids.
3. Adding fiber to your diet. Plenty of fiber along with fluids helps to soften stools, making them easier to eliminate while reducing the pressure on the hemorrhoids. Suggestions for high fiber food include lots of berries, avocados, beans, wheat and oat bran, wholegrain foods and plenty of fresh fruit. Gradually increase your fiber foods to avoid any bloating or gas while at the same time including plenty of liquids.
4. Regular and brisk exercise is also important. This could be a moderate aerobic workout or walking thirty minutes a day. Such exercise will help to stimulate bowel function.
5. Get into the habit of regular trips to the toilet, preferably have a set time each day (for example after a meal) to sit on the toilet for a few minutes. But be careful not to sit for too long. In between, don't put off a trip to the bathroom if the time is right.
6. Always sit on a cushion rather than a hard surface. A doughnut cushion is another suggestion. Avoiding hard surfaces for sitting helps to reduce the swelling of hemorrhoids while preventing new ones.
7. If you sit in a warm and soothing Epsom salt bath, this helps both the anal and rectum muscles to relax, improving bowel movements. Add two cups of Epsom salt to a warm bath and soak for at least twenty minutes to get the full benefits
8. Avoid straining as this can mean even more pain and making any problems worse. Always immediately act on the urge to use the toilet as this will help to prevent the stool becoming harder.
9. Toilet hygiene. Use plain water to clean your bottom after a bowel movement, taking care not to leave any stool behind as this can aggravate and irritate any hemorrhoids. Avoid being rough or using soaps that contain harsh chemicals, alcohol or perfumes.
10. In addition, Healing Natural Oils provide 100% natural treatments for a safe and gentle remedy for hemorrhoids and other conditions, providing fast pain relief and shrinking the hemorrhoids by reducing swelling. Our H-Hemorrhoids Formula is perfect for the symptoms of all types of hemorrhoids: prolapsed hemorrhoids; external hemorrhoids; thrombosed hemorrhoids; and hemorrhoids with minor bleeding.
Sources
Definition & facts of hemorrhoids. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. https://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/digestive-diseases/hemorrhoids/symptoms-causes. Accessed January 25, 2021.
Hemorrhoids and what to do about them. Harvard Health Publishing. https://www.health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/hemorrhoids_and_what_to_do_about_them. Accessed January 25, 2021.
Mounsey AL, Halladay J, Sadiq TS. Hemorrhoids. Am Fam Physician. 2011;84(2):204–210.
Perrotti P, Antropoli C, Molino D, De Stefano G, Antropoli M. Conservative treatment of acute thrombosed external hemorrhoids with topical nifedipine. Dis Colon Rectum. 2001;44(3):405–409.
What are hemorrhoids? The American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. https://www.fascrs.org/patients/disease-condition/hemorrhoids-expanded-version. Accessed January 25, 2021
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.