Natural Remedies For Hemorrhoids
- By Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men’s Health Watch
Hemorrhoids are painful, unpleasant, and, um, well, difficult to talk about. But they actually are quite common: about half of people over age 50 have had them. However, theyre easy to treat and manage.
Hemorrhoids can be troublesome and embarrassing, but they often shrink on their own with simple self-help care and over-the-counter remedies, says Dr. Howard LeWine, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Is There A Cure For Hemorrhoids
If you have hemorrhoids, it is important to keep them clean. You should wash your bottom regularly. Try to avoid sitting on the toilet for a long time, especially if you are constipated. Make sure you take your medication as prescribed. If hemorrhoids do become painful, you can use a sitz bath or enema. Medication can be used to make the hemorrhoids go away.
If You’re Pregnant Lie On Your Left Side
Pregnant women are particularly prone to hemorrhoids, in part because the uterus sits directly on the blood vessels that drain the hemorrhoidal veins, says Lewis R. Townsend, MD. A special hemorrhoid remedy if you are pregnant is to lie on your left side for about 20 minutes every 4 to 6 hours, he says. This helps decrease pressure on the main vein, draining the lower half of the body.
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What Is The Treatment For External Hemorrhoids H3 >
The most common cause of external hemorrhoids is frequent pressure while moving the bowel. Ways to diagnose external hemorrhoids include proctoscopy, digital rectal examination, colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and anoscopy.
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Treatment of external hemorrhoids can be done in several ways depending on its severity. Your doctor may ask you if you prefer certain medications or treatments. Some of the general treatments your doctor may suggest include using an ice pack to reduce swelling, suppositories, or hemorrhoid creams. These options can help people with milder hemorrhoids. If the disease is more severe, your doctor may suggest treatment with a surgical procedure.
Precautions On How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids
A common concern is that hemorrhoids increase the risk of colorectal cancer, but thats not true. However, the two conditions do cause similar symptoms. This is why its important to mention your hemorrhoids to your health care provider. Even when a hemorrhoid is healed completely, a colonoscopy may be done to rule out other causes of rectal bleeding. According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons , every person age 50 and older should undergo a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer.
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It Can Ease Constipation
Aloe vera latex has laxative properties, and people use it to soften their stool and improve bowel movements. The plants laxative effects come from its 12 anthraquinones. If you want to use aloe vera latex to improve constipation, proceed with caution and consult with your doctor first. There is a risk of overuse of the plants laxative effects.
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What Should I Wear If I Am Suffering From Piles
Dont wear tight or restrictive clothing that strains the muscles in the rectum area. Go for loose, cotton clothing and wear clothes that absorb moisture. Opt for clothing crafted from natural fibres instead of synthetic ones. For women, avoid wearing pantyhose, spandex clothing, garters, and any tight pants that dont go well with your contours or arent form-fitting.
Piles may be an embarrassing subject to talk or read about but it is imperative you know about it for your benefit. If your flare-ups get worse, dont hesitate to get the medical treatment or professional help you need. Home remedies work best only if piles is in its mild or initial stages which means you will require a professional medical treatment plan if your condition is in its advanced stages.
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Treat Yourself With An Otc Hemorrhoid Cream
There are many hemorrhoid creams and suppositories on the market, and while they generally will not make your problem disappear, most are designed as local painkillers and can relieve some of the discomfort, says Gathright. Limit their use to 1 week they can cause the skin to get too thin. Choose a hemorrhoid cream like Preparation H over a suppository, says Leff. Suppositories are absolutely useless for external hemorrhoids. Even for internal hemorrhoids, they tend to float too far up the rectum to do much good, he says.
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Are There Natural Treatments For Hemorrhoids
First, some very good news: Neither type of hemorrhoid is dangerous, and severe complications that require medical care are rare. Symptoms often can be relieved by trying a few natural and self-care treatments.
- Draw a sitz bath. To relieve itching and irritation, fill a tub with three to four inches of warm water and sit in it with your knees bent for about 10 to 15 minutes. Gently pat yourself dry with a towel, but dont rub the area.
- Take fiber supplements. These draw water into your stool and make it easier to pass, helping to reduce hemorrhoid bleeding and inflammation. A psyllium husk fiber supplement, like Metamucil or a generic version, is a good choice. If psyllium causes gas or bloating, try a supplement with wheat dextrin or methylcellulose .
- Ease discomfort. Apply over-the-counter products that shrink the inflamed tissue and relieve itching. Try pads infused with witch hazel , or soothing creams that contain lidocaine, hydrocortisone, or phenylephrine .
You can also take steps to prevent flare-ups.
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Taking A Sitz Bath In The Bathtub
If youre taking a sitz bath in the bathtub, the first step is to clean the tub. Mix 2 tablespoons of bleach with 1/2 gallon of water. Scrub the bathtub and rinse thoroughly.
Sitz Bath Benefits For Women
Doctors sometimes recommend sitz baths after childbirth to reduce perineal pain and help the area heal. Youll likely be sore and swollen after delivery, whether you had a vaginal delivery or cesarean section. A sitz bath can help relieve discomfort in your perineum and vulva, while also keeping the area clean.
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Home Remedies To Reduce Painful Piles
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel, the wonder plant is a time-tested natural remedy for treating several skin ailments and health issues. The potent anti-inflammatory effect is beneficial in reducing pain and itching associated haemorrhoids as well as lessen swelling. Witch hazel liquid can be directly applied to the haemorrhoids to get respite. Anti-itch wipes and soaps containing witch hazel are also available.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera gel has been used since ages for treating haemorrhoids owing to its indispensable medicinal and therapeutic properties. The strong anti-inflammatory properties of aloe vera gel may reduce swelling and irritation. For healing, external haemorrhoids apply the gel topically and allow to stay for 10-15 minutes. While for internal piles you can drink aloe vera juice on an empty stomach in the morning which improves digestion and eases constipation. Also Read: Aloe Vera: Medicinal Uses, Benefits For Skin And Hair, Supplements And Recipes
Warm Bath With Epsom Salt
Castor Oil
Castor oil has powerful healing properties like antifungal, antibacterial and anti-inflammatory. This natural oil has the amazing potential to reduce the size of the piles and ease the pain. You can take 3ml of castor oil in milk every night or simply apply it topically on the affected region to get relieved from the symptoms of piles.
Tea Tree Oil
Supplements
Cold Compresses Or Ice Packs
Sitting on a cold compress or ice pack when hemorrhoids feel irritated can help reduce the swelling and numb irritation. Wrap the cold or ice pack in a towel and place it in the area with the hemorrhoid underneath you. Keep it there for up the 15 minutes and repeat hourly to maintain the relief it provides.
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Who Is At Risk Of External Hemorrhoids
If your parents have had hemorrhoids, you may be more likely to have them as well. Hemorrhoids may also be more likely to happen during pregnancy.
As we age, hemorrhoids can occur due to increased pressure caused by sitting a lot. And anything that causes you to strain during bowel movements can lead to external hemorrhoids.
A healthcare professional may be able to help you determine the cause of your hemorrhoids.
When Should I Call My Doctor About Hemorrhoids
If symptoms of hemorrhoids continue for more than a week despite using home remedies, or if you dont get relief or if you have severe pain or bleeding, call your doctor. Once hemorrhoids reach a certain size, prescription medicine, physician office procedures or surgical treatment may be necessary.
While it may be an embarrassing topic for patients to bring up, I tell them, theres no shame in admitting to discomfort, Dr. Broderick said.
Medication or an outpatient procedure may be recommended, including banding/ ligation or an infrared procedure to treat internal hemorrhoids. In severe cases, surgery will be recommended for external hemorrhoids.
For most patients, hemorrhoids are easy to manage and rarely require surgery, said Frederick R. Lane, MD, with Indiana Colon & Rectal Specialists, a Franciscan Physician Network practice. Its important to remember, however, that bleeding should never be ignored and needs to be evaluated by a specialist.
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Home Treatment For Hemorrhoids
Many people find hemorrhoids somewhat embarrassing and prefer to treat them from the comfort of their own home. Luckily, a majority of the time, hemorrhoids are easily treated using the following home remedies:
What Is The Best Hemorrhoid Treatment In 2018
In this article, we will look at the best hemorrhoid treatments in 2018. There are many different treatment options available for hemorrhoids, but they can vary widely in terms of cost and effectiveness. Some are cheap, but arent very effective. Others may be very expensive, but they have the potential to be highly effective. Below we will look at a variety of hemorrhoid treatments and discuss their potential benefits and limitations.
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What Are The Treatment Options
Small hemorrhoids often clear up without treatment or with home treatment and lifestyle changes. If youve continued problems or complications, such as bleeding, you should see your doctor.
Your doctor can rule out other causes of bleeding during bowel movements, such as colon or . If your symptoms become severe, your doctor may recommend medical procedures to remove or shrink the hemorrhoids.
Your doctor may recommend a minimally invasive outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatments are treatments that your doctor performs in their office. Some treatments include the following:
- Rubber band ligation is the most common nonsurgical treatment, and it involves your doctor tying a tight band around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply. Eighty percent of people who receive treatment for hemorrhoids have this type of treatment.
- During coagulation, your doctor uses infrared light, heat, or extreme cold to shrink the hemorrhoid.
- During sclerotherapy, your doctor injects a chemical to shrink the hemorrhoid.
If you have severe hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids that dont respond to in-office medical treatments, you may need a doctor to surgically extract them. This has been shown to provide symptom relief and reduce future outbreaks.
study in 2004 compared the rate of recurrence of hemorrhoids in 231 people.
Myth: All I Need Is A Fiber Supplement
Fact: Fiber is an important part of your at-home hemorrhoid treatment plan, but not from a pill or powder
Though a fiber supplement may soften your stool and alleviate constipation that causes hemorrhoids, we recommend you focus on food for fiber instead of a supplement. Adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet may help keep things regular, preventing a recurrence of your hemorrhoids. Additionally, many healthy, high-fiber foods contain other nutrients that benefit your health overall.
Fruits, vegetables, whole grains, beans, lentils, and peas are excellent sources of fiber. The Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics says women need 25 grams of fiber a day and men 38 grams.
When adding fiber to your diet, whether from food or a supplement, be sure to drink plenty of water. Upping your fiber intake without enough fluids may exacerbate your constipation and worsen your . For general health, the Mayo Clinic recommends women drink 11.5 cups of water a day and men 15.5 cups.
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Best Overall: Doctor Butlers Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment
Courtesy of Amazon
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Includes herbs and amino acids
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May not be effective for fissures
Who else recommends it? BestReviews and Health.com both picked Doctor Butlerâs Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment.
What do buyers say? 81% of 17,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
We recommend Doctor Butlerâs Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment and itâs our top overall choice because it treats a variety of symptoms. It contains lidocaine to numb the pain, phenylephrine to shrink the enlarged veins, and a handful of soothing ingredients like aloe vera and horse chestnut to calm itching and inflammation.
We also like that Doctor Butlerâs is formulated as an ointment to help moisturize and protect the painful fissures that often occur with hemorrhoids. Plus, the package includes âfinger cotsâ for easy and mess-free applications.
Active Ingredients: Lidocaine USP , Phenylephrine HCl | Dose: Apply to affected area up to three times daily | Uses: Treats hemorrhoids and fissures while offering pain and itching relief
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From Earthcliniccom Users Describe Some Potential Side Effects Of Using Apple Cider Vinegar For Hemorrhoids:
I have tried apple cider vinegar undiluted using a cotton ball. The pain of the sting was excruciating but I thought I have to tolerate if I have to get any results. but the result I got was that the ACV burnt my skin and caused it to get infected.
ACV doesnt seem to be doing anything at all, other than making them more tender. Ive been applying to one hem to see if there was any improvement. Nothing after four days at all. Perhaps mine have just been there for too long.
I agree. I take ACV orally and tried it topically for hemmorhoid type problem. It was the worst thing I could ever have done. Intense burning and swelling caused a normally 3 day issue into an extreme 1 week issue in which sitting was almost impossible. If anyone tries this, I would be very careful and wash the ACV off with any sign of uncomfortable burn.
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Amazing At Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids
Treating ailments with ingredients you can easily find at home saves you from spending too much money on costly medical procedures that may sometimes not take away the problem for good.
Hemorrhoids affect 1 person in every 20 Americans so its a real problem that requires urgent solutions.
Below, well Explore six
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We include products we think are useful for our readers. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. Heres our process.
It Has Antioxidant Properties
Vitamins A, C and E are all antioxidants, which prevent damage caused by free radicals. One major benefit of antioxidants is that they help protect against cancer and other chronic conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease. Free radicals can also damage skin, accelerating the aging process. Using aloe vera gel or drinking pure aloe vera juice can boost the number of antioxidants in your system, protecting your body from free radical damage.
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