September 30, 2008
How To Naturally Treat Hemorrhoids
Painful hemorrhoids occur when too much pressure is exerted on certain veins in the anal-rectal regions. These veins, unlike others in the body, have no outlet for excess blood and so too much pressure can cause them to rupture.
Once they’ve ruptured there is little that can be done to completely heal them, but a few natural treatments may be able to shrink the hemorrhoids and prevent them from getting worse or other veins rupturing.
Hemorrhoids are a growing problem in many parts of the world, and those who have them know all too well how uncomfortable they can be. Prescription medications are available to help ease itching, burning and inflammation, but they often only treat the symptoms rather than the cause and so can not be completely effective.
On the other hand, there are some options for treating hemorrhoids naturally that can be more effective and improve overall health, as well as reducing the risk of recurrent severe hemorrhoids.
One of the most common causes of hemorrhoids is constipation. Constipation is relatively easy to treat naturally; hemorrhoids occur after excessive pressure is applied to the veins, but pressure from straining while constipated can cause more damage than the constipation itself.
Be careful not to strain, and if you must take laxatives be sure that they are fiber-based as laxatives that cause diarrhea can raise the risk of hemorrhoids.
Low-fiber diets may be the cause of constipation. The average person in the US gets about 8-12 grams of fiber every day when they should be consuming closer to 50 grams per day. Without enough fiber, bowel movements spend more time in the body and can encourage straining to get out.
Adding fiber in the form of powders, cereals or added fruits and vegetables may go a long way for safe hemorrhoid treatment.
Good toilet habits such as going as soon as you get the urge and getting off the toilet as soon as you’re finished may also help avoid constipation.
Also, try to avoid prolonged sitting or standing and drink sufficient amounts of water every day. If you work in an office or at a cash register that requires you to either sit or stand for hours at a time, be sure to take occasional breaks to walk around and get circulation flowing again.
For existing hemorrhoids, topical ointments such as witch hazel can reduce swelling and warm baths or replacing toilet paper with moist wipes can help reduce irritation.
Alternatively, herbal remedies may be just the thing to naturally treat your hemorrhoids. There are several on the market, including Avatrol or Venapro which have ingredients to help improve circulation, reduce swelling and irritation, and aid in the repair and strengthening of damaged tissue.
There are many other causes of hemorrhoids which can indicate more serious conditions such as rectal cancer, enlargement of the liver (alcoholics are at special risk) or excessive diarrhea. If you have severe hemorrhoids or rectal bleeding, be sure to check with a doctor to rule out more serious causes before beginning a natural hemorrhoid treatment regime.







