More Natural Remedies

Hemorrhoids, sometimes called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins that can develop either inside (internal hemorrhoids), outside (external hemorrhoids), around the anus or lower rectum. External hemorrhoids can be quite painful. Internal hemorrhoids may be as painful as external hemorrhoids but may cause bleeding during a bowel movement. A person may have both internal and external hemorrhoids.

If you notice blood covering the stool, in the toilet bowl, or on the toilet paper, which is common with internal hemorrhoids, make sure to contact your doctor as soon as possible.

Other symptoms of hemorrhoid include occasional throbbing pain, itching, and burning sensation. External hemorrhoids give rise to a painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus, the result of a blood clot. This can be serious and you should see you primary care physician for a checkup.

Hemorrhoids are commonly caused by constipation, straining during bowel movements and pregnancy. Constipation is often the culprit if a person pushes too hard to pass the stool, which causes the veins around the anus to pop out. Hemorrhoids tend to shrink when pressure is taken off, but daily straining can make them continually protrude, bleed and hurt. Constipation may be a serious condition in itself and should be treated as soon as possible.

You may have a genetic predisposition to develop hemorrhoids. You may have weak walls of the veins in the anal area. Other causes can be diarrhea, aging, obesity, overeating, lifting heavy weights, lack of exercise, sitting or standing in one position for too long, chemical imbalance, weak liver, vitamin B6 deficiency and trauma to the anus.

But if you are just suffering from run of the mill hemorrhoids, there are natural remedies you can use to reduce the pain and inflammation. These natural remedies should only be tried after you have had your hemorrhoids evaluated by a doctor. This is especially true if you have experienced bleeding with your hemorrhoids.

Most minor hemorrhoids will respond to home remedies used to reduce the pain and inflammation. However, if you have bleeding hemorrhoids, you need to have it looked at by a trained health professional. In some serious hemorrhoids cases, surgery may be needed.

Fiber is a great way to decrease your hemorrhoid symptoms. Fiber will soften stool and increase the bulk, which will reduce straining. Ways to get more fiber include eating more whole grains and vegetables. Psyllium is a powdered fiber supplement that is inexpensive and readily available. Just mix one teaspoon of psyllium in a glass of water and follow it with another glass of water. You may also want to try flaxseeds. But with any of the fiber supplements, it is critical that you increase your water intake so that your constipation does not worsen.

A common cause of hemorrhoids is a low-fiber diet, which causes constipation and leads to small and hard stools that are difficult to pass. Eating the right amounts of fiber and drinking six to eight glasses of water a day will soften stool and increase the bulk, which will reduce the need to strain and lessen the pressure on hemorrhoids. Good sources of fiber are fruits, whole grains and vegetables.

Another good natural home remedy for treating hemorrhoids is to take powdered psyllium fiber supplement. Psyllium seeds are high in fiber and will help soften stool to alleviate the discomforts of hemorrhoids. Psyllium is commonly available at herbal nutrition stores.

You may also want to try flaxseeds. But remember to increase your water intake if you increase your fiber intake so that you don’t exacerbate your constipation.

Some researchers and nutritional scientists have recommend using bioflavonoids as a hemorrhoid treatment. Bioflavonoids are plant compounds that can maintain and heal blood vessel walls and decrease inflammation and reduce the pain and bleeding. Side effects from using bioflavonoid supplements are rare, but if you are considering taking bioflavonoid supplements during pregnancy, check with your obstetrician before you try them.

Bioflavonoid supplements can also be purchased at your local natural health food store.You can get natural bioflavonoids by eating fruits high in bioflavonoids, such as oranges, lemons, grapefruits, grapes, apricots, cherries, cantaloupes, black currants and blackberries. Vegetables rich in bioflavanoids include broccoli, green leafy vegetables, rutin and wheat.

Witch hazel compress or witch hazel cream can also be used to help reduce the hemorrhoids bleeding. The creams, or pads, are meant to be applied directly to the anal area. It is not to be taken internally. Witch hazel can also reduce hemorrhoids pain and swelling. Witch hazel hemorrhoids medications are commonly available at drug stores.

Another natural hemorrhoid treatment is a plant called butcher’s broom. Butcher’s broom has a long history of use to alleviate the pain and swelling associated with hemorrhoids. Butcher’s broom contains a compound called ruscogen with known anti-inflammatory and vein constricting properties. Butcher’s broom is most commonly ingested as a tea, or in capsule form. Your local health food store will likely carry butcher’s broom. Butcher’s broom is sometimes also referred to as sweet broom and box holly.

Just because something is natural (i.e. poison ivy), doesn’t mean it’s safe. These natural hemorrhoid treatments should only be used under the supervision of your doctor, especially if you are taking prescription drugs. Sometimes natural ingredients and compounds can interact with the chemicals in prescription drug and produce side effects that may do harm to your health.

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Natural Remedies for Constipation