Difference between revisions of "Get Rid of Hemorrhoids Naturally"

{{fa}}Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins that can be found either externally or internally around the anus. They are caused by increased pressure on the pelvic and rectal veins and are related to constipation, diarrhea and straining to pass a stool. The most common symptom is bleeding during a bowel movement—you may notice blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.  Hemorrhoids can also be itchy and painful. Hemorrhoids are most often caused by straining during a bowel movement. They can also be caused by obesity, lifting heavy objects, and by pregnancy. In pregnancy, hemorrhoids are due to the extra strain from carrying a baby and the resulting extra pressure on the veins of the lower abdomen.<ref name="rf15577">http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/causes-risk-factors.html</ref>

#Take warm baths.  If you don’t want to take a full bath, you can take a Sitz bath,<ref name="rf1442" /> where you sit in a few inches of water. Add about 1 cup of Epsom salts to a full bathtub and 2-3 tablespoons of Epsom salts for a few inches of water in the tub.  Keep the water warm, but not too hot. Repeat 2-3 times a day.  This may seem like a bit of a “chore”, but so are hemorrhoids!

#Shrink the hemorrhoids with an astringent. You can use a cotton pad soaked in witch hazel after a bowel movement. Witch hazel acts as an astringent and may help reduce swelling. Repeat as often as needed--at least 4-5 times a day.<ref name="rf839" />

#Clean yourself thoroughly. After having a bowel movement, be sure that you clean yourself completely to avoid irritation.  You might want to use baby wipes or a pre-moistened toilet paper product rather than dry toilet paper to clean yourself.<ref name="rf1442" />

#Apply an ice pack to your hemorrhoids.<ref name="rf1442" />  An ice pack may help reduce your hemorrhoidal swelling but it should not be left on for too long; limit the ice pack use to 5-10 minutes at most each time.

#Avoid laxatives. Laxatives can be habit forming and can also weaken the bowels, potentially leading to chronic constipation.  If you do feel as though you need a laxative, try an herbal laxative instead.<ref name="rf15578">http://healthimpactnews.com/2013/a-key-predictor-of-well-being-healthy-bowel-movements/</ref>

#*Senna and Psyllium are herbal laxative options. Senna is a natural and gentle stool softener. You can take senna as tablets (follow manufacturer’s instructions) or as a nightly tea. You can also try psyllium fiber as found in Metamucil. Psyllium<ref name="rf15579">http://www.healthy.net/Health/Essay/Use_Psyllium_Instead_of_Metamucil/726</ref> is a natural bulking agent.

#Pay attention to nature’s call. Don’t wait once you feel the urge to have a bowel movement; go as soon as you can, but don’t sit and try for too long waiting—sitting is also associated with an increased risk of hemorrhoids.<ref name="rf15580">http://familydoctor.org/familydoctor/en/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/treatment.html</ref>

#Put yourself on a regular schedule. See if you can arrange a regular time to have a bowel movement without interruptions around the same time every day.  This tends to make bowel bleeding movements easier, and it turns out that having regular bowel movements is a great predictor of overall good health.<ref name="rf15578" />

#Try baby teething gel. It may sound a bit odd, but if the hemorrhoids are very painful and uncomfortable, use a tiny bit of baby teething gel on the area.  The gel contains a local antiseptic that can decrease the pain and discomfort.<ref name="rf6319" />

#Try topical pain and itch-relieving gels or lotions.<ref name="rf1442" /> Gently clean your anal area with warm water and carefully pat dry.  Then apply a small amount of aloe vera gel or an ointment such as Preparation H  to help with hemorrhoidal pain and/or discomfort. Apply as often as needed.

#Take a pain reliever.  If you have persistent discomfort, you may want to consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen.<ref name="rf1442" /> These can help you feel more comfortable and may aid in swelling reduction as well.  As always, check with your care provider to ensure that it is safe to take a medication that you do not normally take.

#Seek medical intervention for persistent hemorrhoids. Most hemorrhoids resolve using natural methods within 3-7 days.<ref name="rf15581">http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/tc/hemorrhoids-when-to-call-a-doctor</ref> If they don’t improve, or if they worsen, call your physician. Occasionally for external hemorrhoids and more often for internal hemorrhoids, you may still need some medical intervention. The most common approaches if the described methods don’t help enough are:<ref name="rf1450" />

*If rectal bleeding is not caused by a hemorrhoid, your doctor will likely recommend a more extensive test called a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy because one of the symptoms of colon cancer is rectal bleeding.<ref name="rf15582">http://www.webmd.com/digestive-disorders/bleeding-digestive-tract</ref>