Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are the swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus.
Types and symptoms of hemorrhoids
Two of the most common types of hemorrhoids are external and internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids are those that occur outside of the anal verge. They are usually painful, and are often accompanied by Preparation H), is sufficient to provide temporary relief. Some also find relief from a warm bath with epsom salts added.
Chronic hemorrhoids or those that flare up from time to time can be treated medically or naturally
Medical treatments
- dilation: stretching of the anal sphincter muscle. Although no longer popular, this treatment can be successfully applied to select cases of strangulated hemorrhoids.
- rubber band ligation: elastic bands are applied onto an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. Within several weeks, withered hemorrhoid is sloughed off during normal bowel movement.
- butcher's broom, horse chestnut, bromelein, and japanese pagoda tree extracts
- taking a quality natural multivitamin supplement (a high-potency brand, often with green "superfood" concentrates, that contains 1500-3000% of the RDA of the B vitamins, B-2, B-6, and B-12, along with citrus bioflavonoids and the flavinoid rutin). Some people suggest an additional rutin supplement of 500 mg once or twice daily for chronic sufferers.
- topical application of natural astringents and soothing agents, such as witch hazel, cranesbill and aloe vera
- eating fiber-rich bulking agents such as plantain and psyllium to help create soft stool that is easy to pass to lessen the irritation of existing hemorrhoids or to achieve the daily limit of well under 1 minute (ideally 10 seconds) straining at stool
