Hemorrhoids Piles

Symptoms

Pain is usually the most obvious sign of hemorrhoids, but they can also bleed or protrude outwards from the body. Hemorrhoids develop when the veins of the anus become sluggish, swollen or inflamed. Hemorrhoids do not always produce symptoms, but when they are painful they can be excruciating, since this anal area is well supplied with nerves. If the veins become sluggish, lumps of tissue may appear outside the anus. This is most common after a bowel movement, and in some cases the lump needs to be pushed back inside. Any bleeding should be investigated to rule out more serious illnesses.

Causes

Hemorrhoids are caused by a weakness in the venous (vein) system. Constipation adds pressure on the hemorrhoidal plexus venous system; a low-fiber, high-sugar diet and poor liquid intake therefore creates problems. Obesity and pregnancy also put extra strain on the venous system, and sometimes cause hemorrhoids to appear, especially if other predisposing factors exist. A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise, or standing or sitting for long periods of time, allow the veins to become more sluggish and increase pressure in the hemorrhoidal area.

Nutrition

Hemorrhoids result from consuming refined foods without roughage or fiber. To prevent and treat hemorrhoids, a complete change from eating packaged foods to fresh whole foods is needed. Eat small meals of whole grains, fruits and vegetables, which provide plenty of fiber, taken with a generous quantity of liquid. Instead of white bread and rolls for breakfast, eat rolled oats as porridge or prepared in a Swiss-style muesli, soaked overnight and then combined with natural, plain yogurt, grated apple or other fruit, chopped or ground nuts and milk for a nutrient-rich breakfast. Add raw wheat germ to the muesli for vitamin E, which improves blood circulation and helps prevent the formation of dangerous blood clots in the veins.

Eat at least one salad of raw vegetables daily. Dark green, leafy vegetables, especially alfalfa sprouts and kale, help relieve bleeding hemorrhoids. They also provide vitamin K, which is needed for blood clotting and to prevent internal bleeding. Cultured milk products such as natural, unsweetened yogurt and kefir ensure adequate absorption of vitamin K. Broccoli, cabbage, carrots and green beans are particularly rich in fiber. Apples and pears contain pectin, a beneficial, water-soluble fiber.

Bioflavonoids found in citrus fruits and berries strengthen capillaries. Drink mineral water and herbal teas often to encourage soft stools and regular bowel movements. Avoid constipating foods such as red wine, chocolate, cola, cocoa and black tea.

A tablespoon of flax seed oil or psyllium seeds with water before each meal will help promote soft feces and combat constipation.

Nutritional Supplements

Hemorrhoids are a problem of the venous system. To strengthen blood-vessel walls, vitamin C and bioflavonoids are recommended. Bioflavo-noids strengthen capillaries and are also one of the many nutrients which help lessen the effects of food allergies and inflammation of any kind. Vitamins A and E support healing of the mucous membranes. Vitamin E helps to keep tissues elastic and helps resolve blood clots. B6 is helpful for pregnant women suffering from hemorrhoids, as this vitamin is often deficient during pregnancy.

Itchiness from hemorrhoids is usually caused by yeast or candida/fungal overgrowth and their mycotoxins. A daily supplement of a good Lactobacillus acidophilus supplement helps crowd out the fungi and eventually the itching stops. Lactobacillus acidophilus can also be inserted
rectally for healing.

Daily dosages:

Most Important

Vitamin C, with bioflavonoids, 1,000 mg

Vitamin E, with mixed tocopherols, 400 IU

Pycnogenol, 200-400mg

Helpful

Vitamin A, 25,000 IU

Vitamin B6, 25 mg

Vitamin K, consult your health care practitioner before supplementing.

Lactobacillus acidophilus, 3 capsules or 1 tsp

Herbal Remedies

Many excellent herbal remedies exist to relieve the pain and itching of hemorrhoids naturally.

Keep stools soft and the anal area meticulously clean by washing after each bowel movement with a cotton cloth soaked in warm camomile and peppermint infusion. Camomile speeds healing and peppermint relieves.

Apply cool compresses of witch hazel to shrink blood vessels.

Apply salves of calendula or plantain to relieve pain and itching.

Enemas of slippery elm help to neutralize acidity and act as a buffer against irritations.

Comfrey stimulates cell regeneration and is especially recommended for hemorrhoids with fissures. Pour 2 cups of boiling water over 2 tsp. of comfrey root, steep for fifteen minutes, strain through a fine sieve or cloth and use lukewarm as a compress, after cleansing anal area well.

Drink 1 tbsp. of nettle juice daily to cleanse the blood and facilitate bowel evacuation.

Mix 2-3 drops each of buckthorn, aloe vera and tea tree oil with 1 tsp. of olive oil or thyme oil and rub on the skin to help relieve itching.

Dandelion, taken as 1 tbsp. of juice or 1 cup of tea twice daily over a period of four to six weeks, reduces the frequency and intensity of pain and strengthens connective tissue.

Add camomile, yarrow or thyme infusions to bath water.

Silica in horsetail soothes hemorrhoidal tissue. Take as juice or tea and apply infusion externally.

Add 2 qt. oak bark infusion to sitz-bath to reduce inflammation.

Pilewort ointment has astringent properties, tones blood vessels and stops bleeding of piles.

Fast relieving topical remedies that you can experiment with are: tea tree oil, aloe vera gel, garlic oil, oregano oil, olive oil, flax seed oil and calendula cream.

Homeopathy

For pain and inflammation, choose one of the following remedies in a 6c strength, dissolving 2 tablets under the tongue every fifteen minutes for severe pain, then three times daily as needed, or for one week.

Aesculus hippocastinum is used for internal hemorrhoids with splinter-like, shooting pains, accompanied by lower-back pain and dry, hard constipation.

Alternatively, for painful, bleeding hemorrhoids that itch and cause dry constipation, choose Collinsonia.

Choose homeopathic Hamamelis, if the anus feels bruised and sore and there is bleeding.

Nux vomica will help hemorrhoids when constipation accompanies and there is an urging with the feeling of never being quite finished. The lifestyle is typically sedentary, with a tendency for excesses and a feeling of irritability.

For external hemorrhoids, leaving large bulges outside the anus, better from cold and accompanied by diarrhea, use homeopathic Aloe.

Tissue Salts

Take 4 tablets every thirty minutes for acute problems or three times daily for chronic trouble.

Ferr phos is the tissue salt to use in the acute stages of pain and heat. It will also help with bleeding and inflammation.

Calc fluor is the chief tissue salt for the relaxed venous state of hemorrhoids, especially if they are accompanied by constipation and lower back pains. There is often cracking and fissures of the anus.

If there are attacks of rectal spasms or sharp shooting pains, use Mag phos.

External/Physical Therapies

Sitting stagnates blood in the veins and will promote hemorrhoids. Exercise to promote circulation.

Take cool sitz-baths for three to five minutes.

Wear cotton underwear only.

Morning dry brush from toe to head to improve circulation and eliminate toxins through the lymphatic system.

Breathing exercises are also helpful to stimulate circulation.

To take pressure off the veins, elevate your feet by lying on the floor and resting your calves on the seat of a chair, with pillow under buttocks, a few times during the day for ten to fifteen minutes.

Sit daily for fifteen minutes on a wet towel and afterward apply a salve.

Vitamin E can be applied externally to soothe the pain.

Reflexology

Work the reflexes of the pelvic and hip region, lower back, sigmoid colon and solar plexus, as illustrated.

With thumb and index finger, pinch along the cord leading three to five inches up the back of the leg.

Other Suggestions

Avoid using ommercial preparations and suppositories may contain anesthetics and mercury, which are absorbed by the skin and can harm the fetus of an expectant mother.

Available Brand Name Products

Nutritional Supplements

Ascorbate/Non-acidic Vitamin C (Ester-C)

Bio-Berry OPC-85 Grape Seed Extract plus (Flora)

Flax Oil (Flora)

Flax-O-Mega 1000 mg (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend (Flora)

Udo’s Choice: Ultimate Oil Blend Capsules (Flora)

Rutivate (Inno-Vite)

Acidophilus & Bifidus (Natural Factors)

C Extra (Natural Factors)

E 400 IU Mixed Tocopherol 100% Natural (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil 1,00 mg (Natural Factors)

Flax Seed Oil Liquid (Natural Factors)

Mega Acidophilus Powder (Natural Factors)

Vitamin A (Natural Factors)

Grape Seed Phytosome (Nature’s Herbs)

Leucoselect 100 mg Grape Seed Phytosome (Sisu)

Pycnogenol - Pine Bark Extract (Sisu)

Other Nutritional Supplements

Aloe Vera Gel (Nature’s Herbs)

Aloe Vera Inner Leaf (Nature’s Herbs)

Aloe Vera Gel (The Real Aloe Co.)

Herbal Remedies

Floralax II Fibre with Oat Bran (Flora)

FloraSil (Flora)

Horsetail Leaves (Flora)

Salus Yarrow Tincture (Flora)

Schoenenberger Nettle Cellular Plant Juice (Flora)

Dandelion Root Extract (Natural Factors)

Ginkgo Biloba Phytosome (Natural Factors)

Silica Extract 500 mg (Natural Factors)

St. John’s Wort Extract (Natural Factors)

Alfalfa Leaves (Nature’s Herbs)

Chamomile Flowers (Nature’s Herbs)

Dandelion Root (Nature’s Herbs)

Ginkgo-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Nettle Leaf (Nature’s Herbs)

Psyllium Seeds (Nature’s Herbs)

Silica-Power (Nature’s Herbs)

Homeopathy

Hamamelis (Nelsons Homeopathy)

Nux Vomica (Nelsons Homeopathy)

External Therapies

St. John’s Wort Oil Extract Liquid (Flora)

Cypress Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Frankincense Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Juniper Berry (Karooch Essential Oils)

Myrtle Oil (Karooch Essential Oils)

Hemorrhoid Cream (Nelsons Homeopathy)