Pain & Discomfort from Hemorrhoids?
Unfortunately, hemorrhoids can often cause considerable pain and discomfort.
Also often referred to as piles, hemorrhoids are vascular structures in the anal canal.
When normal, they are the cushions that help with stool control but they become a problem if they are swollen or inflamed.
The signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids depend on the type of hemorrhoid
For example:
- Internal hemorrhoids often result in painless, bright red rectal bleeding when passing a stool.
- External hemorrhoids often result in pain and swelling in the area of the anus and if bleeding occurs, it is usually a darker color..
- Symptoms frequently get better after a few days.
- Interestingly, a skin tag may remain or occur after an external hemorrhoid has healed.
What are the factors that can lead to hemorrhoids?
While the exact cause of hemorrhoids remains unknown, there are a number of factors that increase pressure in the abdomen.
These include:
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Lack of exercise
- Low fiber diet
- Genetics
- An absence of valves within the hemorrhoidal veins,
- Aging
- Prolonged sitting and obesity
- A chronic cough
- Sitting on the toilet for long periods
- Pregnancy when pressure from the fetus on the abdomen (as well as hormonal changes) can cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. During labor, there can be increased intra-abdominal pressures. The good news is that pregnant women rarely need surgical treatment, as symptoms usually resolve after delivery.
How common are hemorrhoids?
Some fifty to seventy percent of adults have problems with hemorrhoids at some point in their lives with males and females being equally affected and most often between the ages of forty five and sixty five years.
How to prevent or help with hemorrhoids?
- Sitting in a bowl or basin of warm water for ten to fifteen minutes at a time will help to soothe the pain and discomfort. Repeat several times a day.
- Increasing the fiber in your diet to prevent constipation with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables and wholegrains. Doing so softens the stool and increases its bulk, which will help you avoid the straining that can worsen symptoms from existing hemorrhoids. Just remember to add fiber to your diet slowly to avoid problems with gas.
- Drinking plenty of fluids especially water to maintain good hydration.
- If needed, taking an oral pain reliever temporarily to help with the pain and discomfort.
The perfect way to avoid the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids is to use our
H-Hemorrhoids Formula to give relief for the symptoms of both internal and external hemorrhoids. It is easily applied topically to the area, helping to provide fast pain relief and shrink those unwanted hemorrhoids by reducing swelling.
This link will take you to our image gallery, showing images of the various symptoms that can be treated with our specific Healing Natural Oils products.
And this link will take you to our health articles covering all the conditions for which we have products.
SOURCES:
7 best and worst home remedies for your hemorrhoids. (2016).
health.clevelandclinic.org/2016/06/7-best-worst-home-remedies-hemorrhoids/. (Accessed 1 October, 2021).
Aloe vera. (2016).
nccih.nih.gov/health/aloevera. (Accessed 1 October, 2021).
Anal itching. (n.d.).
hemorrhoidcentersamerica.com/anal-rectal-problems/anal-itching/. (Accessed 1 October, 2021).
Hemorrhoids and what to do about them. (2018).
health.harvard.edu/diseases-and-conditions/hemorrhoids_and_what_to_do_about_them. (Accessed 1 October, 2021).
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.