Hemorrhoids| Natural Therapies For Hemorrhoids

Harmonious Healing: Hemorrhoids Natural Therapies For Hemorrhoids

With all of today’s pressing health issues, hemorrhoids are one issue that is seen as inconvenient but not pressing. Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women, and about half of the population have them by age 50. Many people have hemorrhoids without symptoms, and those with symptoms generally see them as an inconvenience and hassle rather than a serious health issue that should not be ignored. 

Hemorrhoids are defined as "a varicosity in the lower rectum or anus caused by congestion in the veins of the hemorrhoidal plexus" by Mosby's Medical, Nursing, & Allied Health Dictionary (Fourth Edition). Hemorrhoids are categorized into internal and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids can begin above the internal sphincter of the anus, and when they become large enough, they can protrude from the anus, becoming constricted and painful. External hemorrhoids appear outside of the anus. 

Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids include bright red blood on the stool or on toilet paper. A hemorrhoid may itch, burn, sting, tear, bleed or cause discomfort. Tender and swollen lumps in the rectum are a sign of hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids also have the visible skin tags that are most often associated with the condition. 

The medical consensus of the causes of hemorrhoids include, according to Mosby's The Medical Dictionary, straining to defecate, constipation, and prolonged sitting. Pregnancy is also a common culprit, as pressure on the anal area is increased and drastic hormonal changes occur. Diet is also often seen as a main reason why hemorrhoids develop; a low: fiber diet causes dense stools that cause more straining in defecation. Prolonged sitting on the toilet (such as while reading) IS believed to cause a venus return problem in the perianal area, resulting in the development or worsening of hemorrhoids. Advanced age also causes a weakening of structures, thus making a person more prone to developing hemorrhoids. 

MEDICAL SOLUTIONS 

The medical system does not see the development of hemorrhoids as a problem until the person who has them begins to complain or experiences discomfort. Hemorrhoids are classified by symptoms in the medical system: Grade I hemorrhoids bleed, Grade II hemorrhoids prolapse and reduce spontaneously, Grade Ill requires manual replacement and Grade IV are permanently prolapsed. Most medical treatment of hemorrhoids is aimed at relieving symptoms, but more severe cases often result in surgical removal. 

Sitz baths - bathing in bathtubs with warm water eases periana. conditions and relaxes sphincter mechanism and spasms. 

Stool softeners - softeners are sometimes used to help make the passage of waste an easier task, thus reducing straining and pressure on the anal area. Decreasing straining shrinks hemorrhoids and reduces symptoms. 

Fiber - increasing fiber in the diet is often recommended, coupled with an increase in liquids. The average American diet consists of 8-15 grams of fiber per day, while a high-fiber diet includes more than 25 grams each day. 

Toilet retraining - behavior modification regarding toilet habits is sometimes needed. Those with hemorrhoids or who are at risk of developing them are "re-trained" in the bathroom and are reminded that the toilet is not a library bench. One should sit on the pot only long enough to finish the business at hand and should avoid straining and prolonged sitting. 

Rubber band ligation - internal hemorrhoids are sometimes treated in this way. A rubber band is placed around the base of the offending hemorrhoid inside the rectum. The band cuts off circulation, making the hemorrhoid wither away in just a few days. 

Sclerotherapy - a solution of chemicals is injected around the blood vessel. This shrinks the hemorrhoid. 

Infrared coagulation - hemorrhoidal tissue is burned off.

Hemorrhoidectomy - surgical removal. When done well, surgery has a 2-5% recurrence rate. 

NUTRITIONAL THERAPY 

Hemorrhoids can be treated using nutritional means coupled wil common-sense practices, such as avoiding straining, drinking plenty of water and getting enough exercise. Adding more fiber to the diet by means of food is always suggested. Apples, beets, brazil nuts, broccoli, cabbage, carrots, green beans, oat bran, lima beans, pears, peas, whole grains and psyllium seeds are all excellent sources and should be included in the daily diet. 

Bleeding - 1500 mg of calcium chelate each day will help with blood clotting and may help reduce bleeding from hemorrhoids. Vitamin C with bioflavonoids (100 mg/day) and Vitamin E (600 IU/day) also promote normal blood clotting and healing. Vitamin K is also helpful in this area: eat alfalfa, kale and dark green leafy vegetables. 

Improved Digestion - Improving digestion and reducing straining will help shrink hemorrhoids and prevent their appearance. Vitamin B complex plus vitamin B6, B12, choline and inositol taken in 50mg doses three times a day with meals will help. 

Healing of membranes - Vitamin A (15,000 IU per day) aids in healing of tissues and membranes. 600 IU per day of Vitamin D will help as well, and also aids in calcium absorption. 

HERBS 

There are many herbs that can help with hemorrhoids. Use of herbs is best done under the care of a herbalist. 

Elderberry poultice - helps relieve pain of hemorrhoids. Mash the herb into a poultice, adding water if needed, and apply to the hemorrhoid. 

Enema - this enema should be used before going to bed. Boil 8 parts of Willow bark, 8 parts of red oak bark, 3 parts each of wild sage leaves, pilewort and horseweed in one pint of water. Let it sit until it is cold, then strain. 

Hemorrhoid tea - a healing herb used internally to help relieve hemorrhoids. Fix equal parts of alder buckthorn bark, milfoil, licorice roots and fennel seed. Steep one tablespoon of mixed herbs in 1/2 cup of just boiled water for ten minutes and drink hot. Other teas are also helpful. Rose hips and green tea can help when one drinks three to four cups per day. Stone root (Collinsonia canadensis) and horse chestnut (Aesculus hippocastanum) will strengthen blood vessel walls; take 60 drops of tincture twice a day. 

Ointments - an ointment made with St. John's Wort applied several times each day will reduce pain and shrink tissues. Witch hazel (commercially available as Tuck's) will reduce swelling. A poultice made from grated potato is soothing and astringent. A salve made of comfrey) (Symphytum officinale) soothes and promotes healing. 

Herbal sitz bath - make a very strong tea of the herb and strain well. Add it to your bath or sitz bath. Try to do this as often as possible. Herbs to use are: Yarrow (Achillea millefolium) , Sage (Salvia officinalis), Bayberry (Myrica cerifera), Yellowroot (Xanthorrhiza simplicissima) or Witch hazel (Hammamelis virginian). 

Chinese herbs - some useful Chinese herbs include: Dang shen, Codonopis, Hyuang Qi, and Xuan shen. 

TRADITIONAL AFRICAN HEALING 

According to traditional African healers, hemorrhoids are a very old condition and their development is one of the oldest and most effective ways that we have in guiding us about what to eat. Traditional healers tell us that hemorrhoids occur when there is a problem in the end stage of food digestion and is caused by a combination of the blood and digestive systems. Anyone can get hemorrhoids, and they are largely due to an incompatibility between food eaten and body type. Hemorrhoids develop when the body has a difficult time processing certain foods or elements. 

Trigger foods vary from individual to individual and are determined by the individual's body processes. Common dietary causes of hemorrhoids are a low-fiber diet. When one experiences straining and tightness during bowel movements, one should pay careful attention to the foods that one has eaten prior to the occurrence. These foods are likely to be your "trigger" foods. 

Once discovered, the best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to exclude trigger foods from the diet. 

If not treated, Traditional African Healing tells us that serious complications usually arise. Hemorrhoids are a major factor in high blood pressure and heart disease. When one has hemorrhoids, a knot is created; this knot acts like a funnel and backs up blood flow, increasing blood pressure and putting the person at risk for heart conditions. Hemorrhoids worsen over time, and the veins and colon become very sensitive. The number of trigger foods also increase over time. 

Koko has been used for hemorrhoid treatment in traditional Africa for millennia. It reduces pain and itching within one day and shrinks the tissue. Once the hemorrhoid has disappeared, the person must eliminate the trigger food(s) to ensure that they do not return. (Koko is available through Ankhkasta Natural Healing at 773-722-1528 Or www.theearthcenter.com) 

Hemorrhoids are something that is very common, and their prevention relies on eating right and getting adequate exercise. Should one develop the condition, it is important to treat the hemorrhoid and take necessary steps to ensure they will not surface again. The diet may be the single most important factor to consider. If left untreated, surgery may be required, or worse, it could lead to hypertension and heart disease.