How Can I Prevent Hemorrhoids
Lifestyle and dietary changes are the best way to prevent hemorrhoids. Staying physically active and eating a nutritious, balanced diet help keep your bowel movements regular.
Eat lots of high fiber foods and drink plenty of water to keep the digestive process moving correctly and prevent constipation. Regular exercise and avoiding sitting for long periods of time can also help prevent hemorrhoids.
The most effective way to avoid constipation is to go to the bathroom when you first feel the urge. Delaying a bowel movement allows the bowel to reabsorb water from the stool. This makes stool harder when you finally do go.
How Are External Hemorrhoids Diagnosed
To diagnose external hemorrhoids, a doctor will ask about your health history and symptoms. They will also likely do a physical exam.
In the case of external hemorrhoids, they will generally be able to see the hemorrhoids by examining the area around your anus.
They may also perform a digital rectum exam and anoscopy to check for issues inside your anal canal and rectum, including internal hemorrhoids.
During a digital rectal exam, your doctor will insert their gloved, lubricated finger into your anus. Theyll be able to feel abnormalities inside.
During an anoscopy, the doctor will insert a device called an anoscope into your rectum that allows them to see abnormalities.
If you also have rectal bleeding, your doctor will likely request that you get a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy to rule out colorectal cancer. These methods will also detect any internal hemorrhoids.
How Does Witch Hazel Work For Hemorrhoids
One of the few effective methods that can be employed to treat Hemorrhoids involves the use of Witch hazel . The Witch hazel plant has many species, but the exact specie known to treat hemorrhoids is the Hamamelis virginiana.
The Hamamelis virginania grows naturally as small trees or big shrubs in Nova Scotia, the Eastern coast of North America and the southern part of the united states, while its distant cousins and family members of the specie is also popular in America for use mostly as ornamental plants.
The Witch Hazel plant contains hundreds of active ingredients, but of these lot, ten types of ingredients have been shown to pose positive benefits in controlling and treating the symptoms of Hemorrhoids.
The main active ingredients of the Witch hazel fluid extract include:
- Flavonoids
- Carvacrol
Witch hazel has astringent, antibacterial and antiseptic features which makes it perfect for treating Hemorrhoids as these properties helps to minimize the swelling of tissues and cause inflamed veins and blood vessels to shrink.
Also, Witch hazel contains Tannins, which are great compounds for lessening the swelling of tissues and provide swift relief from burning sensations, itching and bleeding.
Witch hazel reduces hemorrhoid pain relatively quickly. Witch hazel also reduces hemorrhoid bleeding as it tightens and shrinks damaged tissue.
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To Use Witch Hazel For Hemorrhoids
In order to treat hemorrhoids with witch hazel, witch hazel could be applied topically. To use witch hazel for hemorrhoids topically, you need to follow the steps below.
- Clean the anal areaTo keep the hygiene of the anal area, you need to shower or bathe daily. Baths are more recommended than showers since the bath will allow your anal area to stay longer in warm temperature water. You dont have to apply soap to keep the anal area clean. You only need to use hot or warm water instead. Clean the anal area gently since scrubbing the anal area harder will cause irritation.
prepare bathub for sitz bath
Home Remedies: Relief From Hemorrhoids
DEAR MAYO CLINIC: Every few months, I develop hemorrhoids that are quite painful, but, after a few days, they seem to go away on their own. Is there a way to avoid getting them altogether? Do I need to see my doctor the next time the hemorrhoids return?
ANSWER: Hemorrhoids are quite common, and they often follow the pattern you describe. Making some lifestyle changes may lower your chances of developing hemorrhoids. But, if those changes arent enough to keep them from coming back, and the hemorrhoids cause you considerable discomfort, then consider making an appointment with your doctor for an evaluation to see if treatment may be necessary.
Hemorrhoidal cushions are part of the bodys natural anatomy in the anal canal. They help keep stool in and control continence. The problem with hemorrhoids develops when veins in those cushions become swollen and bulge. Hemorrhoids can occur inside the rectum. Those are called internal hemorrhoids. Or, they can happen under the skin around the anus. Those are called external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids dont cause any pain and usually dont require treatment unless they start to bleed. External hemorrhoids are the ones that typically lead to the pain and discomfort people often associate with hemorrhoids.
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When Should I See My Doctor
Hemorrhoids are typically easy to treat and clear up on their own. In very rare cases, a hemorrhoid can cause complications.
Chronic blood loss from a hemorrhoid can cause anemia, a shortage of red blood cells. Internal hemorrhoids can also have their blood supply cut off, resulting in strangulated hemorrhoids that can cause extreme pain.
See a doctor if home treatments havent been effective after more than 2 weeks. Your primary care physician can diagnose and treat hemorrhoids. They can write prescriptions for medicated creams, ointments, and suppositories.
If these treatments dont work, a doctor may recommend treatments like rubber band ligation or surgery to remove the hemorrhoids.
Make an appointment to see a doctor right away if you notice rectal bleeding for the first time or if your rectal bleeding increases.
Witch Hazel For Diarrhea
In a preliminary trial using isolated tannins as part of drug therapy for Crohns disease, researchers found the tannins to be more effective at reducing diarrhea than other conventional medication. Because of the plants high tannins, it is possible that it can help treat diarrhea.
To treat diarrhea, it must be ingested. But its important to note there is limited research on the safety and effectiveness of consuming the solution.
According to WebMD, the typical dosage by mouth is 2 grams of dried leaves three times daily or as a tea, talk to your healthcare provider about whats right for you.
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Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are incredibly common, even if most people dont want to talk about them. Symptomatic hemorrhoids affect about 1 in 20 Americans and about half of adults older than age 50, the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Disease reports.
And thats just the incidence of symptomatic hemorrhoids. The thing is, everyone has hemorrhoids, whether you realize it or not. Hemorrhoids are normal anatomical structures. Everybody has hemorrhoids, says Dr. Syed Husain, a colorectal surgeon with the Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center in Columbus.
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are a cushion of blood vessels that we have around the anus, and each time we cough or sneeze or lift anything heavy, those blood vessels get engorged and help to seal the area. They have a very important physiologic function in the human body, Husain says.
Dr. Jeffery Nelson, surgical director of the center for inflammatory bowel and colorectal diseases at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore, puts it this way: Its kind of like a washer that seals a pipe connection in plumbing.
But sometimes, Husain says, for reasons we do not understand very clearly, they become enlarged and when that happens, they start producing symptoms.
When someone says they have hemorrhoids theyre referring to swelling of these hemorrhoidal veins, which often lead to symptoms, says Dr. Michael Dann, a gastroenterologist with Manhattan Gastroenterology in New York.
Pain or discomfort.
Witch Hazel To Fight Damage From Sun Exposure
No matter how hard you try to apply sunscreen and stay in the shade, it’s easy to come home from a day outside a little bit burnt. In one study, aftersun lotion with 10 percent witch hazel distillate was used on 30 volunteers who experienced sun-induced reddening of the skin. After two days of application, redness was reduced up to 27 percent in the patients who received witch hazel compared to the patients who received witch-hazel-free lotions, who saw only an 11 to 15 percent reduction in redness. I’ll definitely be giving this one a try!
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Why Is It Called Witch Hazel
While it may sound spooky or creepy, the name witch hazel makes sense if you look back at the plants origins. Witch comes from the Middle English world wiche, which is derived from the Old English word wice, meaning bendable or pliant. In England, the name Witch Hazel was also synonymous with Wych Elm, which is a wide ranging European species of Elm tree.
The American colonists, however, took the name Witch Hazel, which they were previously familiar with, and applied it to a new shrub they had discovered.
Some believe the twigs of the Witch Hazel shrub were used as divining rods, just like the twigs from Hazel trees were used in England, and that may have been why hazel was added to the witch portion of the shrubs name.
Witch Hazel: The Basics
The American witch hazel plant grows throughout the Northeast and Southeast of North America. The flowers are fragrant, very slender, and bright yellow. It’s also known as Winter Bloom or Snapping Hazelnut. Hamamelius means “together with fruit” and refers to the plant’s simultaneous production of flowers and maturing fruit, which only happens very rarely. Different parts of the witch hazel treelike its bark, twigs, and leavesare rich in polyphenols and tannins. If you’re not familiar, tannins are astringents that tighten pores and draw out liquids, and the specific tannin found in witch hazel is called hamamelitannin.
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Mix A Half Tablespoon Of Witch Hazel Tincture And A Little Bit Of Cocoa Butter
Use a small plastic wrap to contour the mixture so that you can come up with a suppository
Put the suppository in the fridge for about 30 minutes
Using gloves, remove it from the fridge. Unwrap the plastic wrap and slice it in half if you find that it is too big.
Lubricate your anus well
While bending your knees, lie on a flat surface and lift one part of your buttocks using one of your hands
Slide the suppository gently to your anus. Ensure that you slide the suppository inside until it reaches your sphincter
While pressing the sphincter, lie down, and let the suppository settle for around -10 minutes
Dispose of the cloves and use lukewarm water and soap to clean your hands.
Protects Against Skin Damage
Witch hazel is rich in tannins, a natural plant compound with powerful antioxidant properties that can help protect your skin against damage when applied topically.
One animal study found that tannins can act as a barrier, preventing inflammation-causing substances from entering your skin cells .
Whats more, a test-tube study showed that witch hazel helped neutralize harmful free radicals and prevented the spread of skin cancer cells .
Similarly, another animal study discovered that the tannins in witch hazel were able to slow skin tumor growth in mice exposed to radiation .
However, most research is currently limited to test-tube and animal studies. More studies are needed to evaluate the effects of witch hazel on humans.
Summary
Animal and test-tube studies have found that witch hazel and its components could prevent skin cancer growth and protect against skin damage.
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How Often Can I Use Tucks For Hemorrhoids
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Witch Hazel For The Skin
Historically, witch hazel has been used on the skin for general itching, inflammation, injury, insect bites, bruises and minor burns, varicose veins, and hemorrhoids. Research has shown that witch hazel has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, which explains why it might benefit the skin and various dermatological issues. In one study, damaged human skin cells were given witch hazel , and the results showed that there was a significant decrease in IL-8 and antioxidant activity. This is pretty sciencey, but these results tell us that both forms of witch hazel had a protective effect on the skin.
In addition to decreasing inflammation and infection, research has found that witch hazel can also protect against sunburn and minimize skin aging by decreasing wrinkle formation and improving skin firmness.
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Prepare The Witch Hazel Astringent
The first step on how to treat hemorrhoids with Witch Hazel is to acquire the herbal concoction from drugs stores or you can extract them by grinding the leaves and bark of the Witch Hazel plant, sieve it and mix with water. It is advisable to get the ready-made concoction to avoid the task of extracting and mixing.
Witch Hazel For Minor Bleeding
Believe it or not, this plant has the power to stop minor bleeding. Its astringent properties tighten and tone the tissues in your skin, helping it to heal. Plus, the aforementioned antibacterial and antiseptic qualities help cleanse the wound, too. Native Americans used the plant to treat wounds for this exact reason!
To use it for minor bleeding:
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Making Homemade Suppository From Witch Hazel
Using witch hazel on hemorrhoids, you also could create a homemade suppository using witch hazel as well. This type of application is suitable for hemorrhoids that occur internally and could be used three times each day. Follow these steps to use how to treat hemorrhoids at home witch hazel by creating a homemade suppository.
- Create a mix by using a little cocoa butter and a teaspoon of witch hazel tincture.
- Shape the mixture to create a suppository by using small-sized plastic wrap.
- Place it in the freezer for approximately an hour until its frozen.
- Use glove to cover your hands and remove the frozen suppository from the freezer. If you use plastic wrap, you need to unwrap it first. If the suppository is too bulky, you can slice the suppository in half.
- Apply lubrication to your anal.
- Lie down and bend your knee. Pick up one part of your buttock using one hand.
- Insert the suppository to your anal. Ensure the suppository goes in until it reaches your sphincter.
- Press your sphincter for a while and keep lying down for five to ten minutes.
- Get rid of your gloves then use soap and warm water to wash your hands.
Where To Buy Witch Hazel
You can purchase the witch hazel extract in various forms from pharmacies and drug stores around you. It is also easy to find this product from various online stores. Online stores tend to have better deals than the local stores. Furthermore, they are more convenient especially where you have the free shipment.
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Disadvantages Of Tucks Medicated Pads
If the pads are thin then it may become an issue if you do have bleeding from your hemorrhoids. Many people do not like extra inactive ingredients in Tucks Pads. Since the Medicated Pads inactive ingredients are water, glycerin, alcohol, propylene glycol, and other chemicals. They may be harmful to the skin. Always take suggestions from your doctor when using any hemorrhoid products or making your own because you might not like the results. The best thing about such wipes is that they work great in case of external hemorrhoids but not so much for internal hemorrhoids.
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Lets Talk About Hemorrhoids
Its understandable that you may feel embarrassed when it comes to talking about hemorrhoids. If youre one of those people, dont be! Hemorrhoids are pretty common. In fact, more than half of people have experienced hemorrhoids by the time theyre 50.1 Anyone can get hemorrhoids, although age, pregnancy, and straining during bowel movements are a few factors which may increase your chances.1 Despite the fact that theyre fairly common,hemorrhoids are an issue that should be taken seriously. With symptoms like pain, itching, swelling, and irritation,1 hemorrhoids can negatively impact your quality of life. Luckily, there are solutions such as witch hazel to help with your symptoms.
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Witch Hazel As A Hemorrhoids Treatment
Witch hazel is a natural remedy which has long been used to treat a variety of ailments, including hemorrhoids. It is distilled from the leaves and bark of the witch hazel plant to create creams or tinctures which can be used to shrink swollen tissue and provide relief from itching and irritation.
As a natural anti-inflammatory, witch hazel can help relieve the pain and irritation of hemroids by helping to shrink the inflamed tissue. Since hemroids are comprised of swollen veins in the anus and rectum, witch hazel can provide an immediate effect on hemorrhoidal tissue and offer relief from the itching, burning and discomfort that accompanies hemroids. Witch hazel can help relax the anal veins and reduce overall pressure in the area. That is important because it can prevent future hemroids from developing as well as relieving existing hemroids symptoms. Witch hazel can also be used to stop the bleeding of external hemroids.
Witch hazel can be found in most pharmacies and is sold as a treatment for hemroids in a number of forms including hemorrhoidal pads, lotions, tinctures and suppositories. You can also brew a witch hazel tea that can be used in compresses that are applied directly to external hemorrhoids. In addition to being used for hemorrhoids, witch hazel also has applications for varicose veins and a prolapsed uterus.