DavidWolfe.comHemorrhoids are a common condition that over half of all people will develop at some point in their lives. Symptomatic hemorrhoids affect millions of people around the world. As this anorectal condition is so common, hemorrhoid treatment is vital to know about. Here now are hemorrhoids treatment techniques and home remedies for hemorrhoids.
What are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are regular cushions of tissue found at the end of the rectum. When people say they “have hemorrhoids,” they are referring to the enlargement their hemorrhoids are experiencing.
Hemorrhoids Causes
Hemorrhoids can occur because of many factors. Some of the factors include being overweight, regularly lifting heavy objects, aging, pregnancy and giving birth. Spending excessive periods of time on the toilet is also a potential factor.
Other hemorrhoid causes may be constipation, heredity, chronic diarrhea, and faulty bowel function.
Many dietary factors, including a low-fiber diet, spicy foods and alcohol intake, have been theorized as possible causes of hemorrhoids symptoms as well, but the research proving this is inconsistent.
Hemorrhoids Symptoms
Enlarged hemorrhoids often cause itching, mucus discharge or bleeding. Bleeding occurs when hard stool damages the thin walls of the blood vessels in hemorrhoids.
Other symptoms of hemorrhoids include sensitive lumps in the anus, fecal leakage, and painful bowel movements. Protrusion of skin during bowel movements can also occur.
4 Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids
For many, hemorrhoid treatment often starts with a home remedy for hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids home treatment can be easier than you think, and here are some popular methods used as a hemorrhoid home remedy.
1. Improve Your Diet With High-Fiber Foods, Fermented Food, and Water
The easiest most essential hemorrhoid home remedy is an improved diet.
Eating high fiber foods helps you avoid constipation and hard stool. A general recommendation is 30–35 grams of fiber daily. Foods such as avocados, berries, figs, Brussels sprouts, acorn squash, and beans are all recommended. Additionally, lentils, nuts, flaxseeds, chia seeds and quinoa are also beneficial. Clinical studies showed high-fiber diets reduce the risk of hemorrhoid symptoms and bleeding by approximately 50 percent. (1)
Drinking water also helps the fiber travel to travel smoothly through the digestive tract. One study recommends at least one glass of water with each meal and snack of the day. (2)
Fermented foods like kefir, kimchi and raw, pastured yogurt are also recommended. Fermented foods help the digestive system with probiotic bacteria needed for proper elimination. (3) Conversely, alcohol and spicy foods can make hemorrhoid symptoms worse. Alcohol and spicy foods can be dehydrating and hard on the digestive system. (4)
2. Use Good Habits On The Toilet
To help clear up and avoid hemorrhoid problems, avoid straining or prolonged sitting on the toilet. Straining during a bowel movement can be painful and make hemorrhoid problems even worse.
Spending too much time on the toilet can also make hemorrhoids problems worse. One tip: don’t read or distract yourself while using the bathroom. It’s also important to wipe thoroughly. Stool left behind after wiping can aggravate hemorrhoids. Be careful not to be to rough wiping.
A sitz bath, which involves sitting in warm water for 10 minutes, twice daily, is also helpful. The bath helps patients with anal itching, aching or burning and can clear up hemorrhoid issues.
3. Add Supplements and Topical Treatments To Your Body
Supplements are an essential part of hemorrhoids home treatment.
Butcher’s broom can help reduce swelling and inflammation of hemorrhoids. A 2002 study found that butcher’s broom helps with a condition where the flow of blood through the veins is inadequate. (5)
Pycnogenol is a hemorrhoid cream known to heal acute hemorrhoids within 48 hours. (6)
Horse Chestnut is an herbal remedy that improves microcirculation. A study has shown it increaes capillary flow and vascular tone, helpful for clearing hemorrhoid issues. (7)
Witch Hazel is a plant that’s used for healing skin and its astringent and antioxidant properties. Topical application of witch hazel can help soothe hemorrhoids by reducing inflammation and pain.
Psyllium Husk is a natural source of pure fiber. It’s sold in powder form. Studies suggest psyllium husk can reduce the frequency of bleeding when using the bathroom and help avoid constipation or straining. (8) It’s important to drink water when using psyllium husk.
4. Try Essential Oils
Essential oils greatly assist in home treatment for hemorrhoids.
Cypress Oil stops excess blood flow and promotes the clotting of blood. It is an astringent and hemostatic oil. You can use cypress topically. Many add 3 to 4 drops to a cotton ball and apply to the area of concern. (9)
Helichrysum helps stimulate the secretion of gastric juices needed to break down food and prevent digestive issues. It is also an anti-inflammatory agent when applied topically. (10)
Homemade hemorrhoid cream can be made with shea butter. Shea butter contains vitamin E and vitamin A, which help fight inflammation while reducing dryness and itching.
Heating shea butter on a low setting in a double boiler or a glass bowl softens it. You can then add coconut oil and aloe vera. Coconut oil has antibacterial qualities, and Aloe vera provides relief from itching and inflammation. Also add apple cider vinegar and witch hazel. Both help fight inflammation, swelling, infections and skin irritations. Now you can blend, and add other essential oils.
Lavender oil contains powerful antioxidants that help with skin conditions by reducing inflammation.
Tea tree oil has amazing antiseptic properties.
Turmeric oil provides pain relief by soothing inflamed skin and can help heal any fissures that may have developed.
As always, a health care professional should always be consulted before undergoing any treatment.