How Do I Cure Hemorrhoids?

The answer to the question above depends on the symptoms and the severity of the problem. Hemorrhoids are a condition of the veins in the anus similar to varicose veins in which the anal veins enlarge and their supporting pads of tissue tend to lose their natural elasticity. Reversing this process, a total cure for hemorrhoids, would be akin to reversing aging and though might one day be possible, using stem cells for instance, is unlikely in the foreseeable future. As people enter middle age the chance of this condition increases and there is good evidence that at least 50% of the population show some signs of recognizable anal pathology.

Though rejuvenation of the anal veins is not currently possible curing the symptoms involved such as itching, swelling and bleeding is feasible. In fact, a hemorrhoid can have four levels of severity as assigned by physicians and any kind of treatment other than the application of creams and ointments and advice to make life-style changes reserved for the two highest categories. Other non-surgical methods include rubber band ligation as well as so called infrared coagulation and bipolar diathermy.

Home Cures Suitable for the Majority of Hemorrhoids

Treatments such as creams and ointment can play a significant role in reducing pain and swelling in many cases. Even those creams that function principally through their anesthetic effect have a valuable role not only in reducing acute itching but also reducing the need to scratch and therefore worsen the condition. The old fashioned recourse to bathing makes a helpful contribution to treatment by reducing pain and bleeding and accelerating the healing process. Both conventional pharmaceuticals and natural treatments can work successfully to reduce inflammation and swelling . The exception to this is homeopathic methods which offer, at best, a placebo effect effective only for a few.

Clinical Procedure More Serious Cases

Rubber band based technique used normally for the second grade of hemorrhoids and involves the placement of rubber band around its base in order to strangle the blood supply and cause it to fall off. This technique is simple and effective, classed as a non-surgical method of removal, and has less chance for complications than the surgical methods used for more serious conditions. The method is highly successful with one study showing an 80% success rate after five years

Only a small percentage of people will, fortunately, require invasive treatment beyond this point which generally means total excision. Historically the classical methods used for surgical removal  have been associated with considerable postoperative pain though surgeons have devised a whole range of methods to reduce this pain with varying degrees of success. Every few years a new hemorrhoid cure arrives heralding a new age of painless procedures usually only to disappear some time later.

Surgical Excision for Serious Hemorrhoidal Conditions

These methods have involved total excision through laser light (carbon dioxide, neodymium lasers), as well as freezing and vibrating (ultrasound) of the offending vein. As well as these different methods a whole range of surgical tools devised in order to reduce pain. Most serious scientific studies of these different techniques have proved inconclusive at best. There is some evidence that diathermy removal is associated with less severe pain than a scissors removal though even this subsequently disputed. It may be that there are pluses and minuses for all the techniques (such as the amount of pain immediately following surgery compared with pain a few days after and likelihood of urinary retention due to acute pain) but this is far from clearly the case. Laser methods were associated with longer healing in a number of trials.

One of the problems with total removal is the damage caused to the tissue and blood supply around it. Though none of the techniques developed is a silver bullet (or at least a painless hemorrhoid cure) surgical techniques have improved greatly in recent years for instance PPH (Longo-Milito procedure used in cases of prolapsing) where the blood supply cut off while the arterial and venous malformations remaining intact.

Will There Ever Be a Complete Hemorrhoidal Cure

There is no complete cure at present because the vein related condition involved is a natural part of aging for the majority of us. The anatomy of the anus is itself a reason for this because it is so richly lined with blood supply and nerves. It can sense temperature, distinguish between liquid, sold and gas, detect smells and recognize it’s state of stretch. This means it is exquisitely sensitive to irritants and inflammation and it very vulnerable to surgery and trauma. There are fortunately many off the shelf cures including hemorrhoidal creams that can improve the condition and reduce irritation and bleeding. Surgical techniques are far from perfect but the pain and side effects are far less than they once were.

Hemorrhoids Briefing

Wondered how do you get hemorrhoids? It is a fact that some people are much more predisposed to them than others. For instance, Caucasians particularly seem to be prone to them. On the other hand they are so common amongst all populations (50%) that nobody is truly immune. Unfortunately scientists don’t wholly agree on the causes and there is much conflicting evidence. One common view is that long term constipation is a primary cause. This makes sense because the strong pushing against the anus could obviously make it liable to physical damage. Another possibility is having diarrhea on a regular basis can make you more likely to get them and there is some increasing indication that this is a significant cause in many cases.

Anal Ultra-Slow-Wave, USW

A curious discovery by Hiroyuki Kayaba of the Akita University Graduate School of Medicine in Japan is that the sphincter muscle in hemorrhoid suffers may be more active than in those who have a healthy anus–a condition called USW. The original view of this was that hemorrhoids could CAUSE the hyperactivity but the evidence now suggests the USW itself leads to the condition. Some patients with USW and without hemorrhoids also exhibit chronic constipation and anal fissure. USW is like very slow but continuous waves of pressure arising in the anus every minute or so. In fact, of the many studies done on hemorrhoid suffers a higher maximum anal pressure (increased up to 50%) has been discovered compared with those who do not suffer the condition.

Straining on a Stall

In fact, there are three kinds of pressure wave occurring in the anus. The first are the high frequency ones resulting from changes of vascular pressure related to blood circulation. Then there are slow waves that take place in the sphincter muscle every ten to twenty minutes and that are perfectly normal. Finally the USW’s which are associated with the hemorrhoidal condition and which may involve abnormally strong anal contractions.

The presence of USW is associated with straining on a stool which is also believe to be a trigger for hemorrhoids or at least a worsened hemorrhoidal condition. The treatment options for USW are limited but include the possibility of glyceryl trinitrate ointment or forceful dilatation of the anal canal as a surgical alternative. The existence of an obscure condition such as USW highlights the difficulty at answering definitively “how do you get hemorrhoids” particularly as this condition is so common and probably involves numerous contributory factors. Most commonly people strain on their stool not because of USW but simply because they are constipated. Fortunate because constipation results from unhealthy diet and low levels of exercise and can be solved without medical treatment.

Hemorrhoids and Obesity

High anal pressure is also involved during pregnancy because of the additional weight born around the area of the anus. Interestingly hemorrhoids caused this way generally spontaneously heal following the pregnancy. This also points to the fact that hemorrhoids can arise from being overweight: treat it in this case by losing weight and the result can be similar to following a pregnancy.

Portal Hypertension

Another factor that causes high pressure in the anus involves raised portal blood pressure. Portal hypertension is raised blood pressure from the digestive system to the liver. This can be a result of liver damage such as cirrhosis of the liver and is treatable by dietary changes as well as surgery.

Good Anal Health

There is no short answer to how do you get hemorrhoids. There are many factors that may dispose you to the condition but regardless of this you can achieve a great deal to get rid of them and improve anal health by adopting a good diet, losing any excess weight and adopting fastidious hygiene habits.

Diet for Hemorrhoids

What foods to eat when you have hemorrhoids? In fact, diet is a vital factor in achieving success in reducing hemorrhoidal symptoms. Not only this the things that are good for your hemorrhoids because they produce a good quality stall are also good for your weight. Since achieving a healthy weight itself can benefit your condition switching to a good diet can have considerable benefit. What does a good diet entail? Here are five factors to consider:

Eat plenty of roughage

Increase the amount of fiber including green vegetables and fruit. Eat whole grains such as porridge and bran.

Eat white meat, fish and some occasional lean red meat

Protein should ideally come from white meat and fish. A couple of times a week eat lean red meat but keep the portion size modest.

Drink plenty of water

Ensure you good hydration by drinking plenty of water while reducing caffeine laden tea and sugar. Cut out sugary soft drinks or even those with artificial sweeteners. Adequate hydration is as important as the foods you eat when you have hemorrhoids.

Eat selected fruits, berries and fruit juices

A high consumption of flavonoids is particularly beneficial for hemorrhoid treatment. In particular choose dark berries such as cherries, blackberries and blue berries and drinks containing them. Anthocyanin and proanthocyadin are both kinds of flavonoids contained in these berries which can tone up anal blood vessels as well as reduce swelling in this region.

Berries such as blackcurrants and cranberries also contain a fatty acid by the name of GLA which in turn converts into prostaglandin in the body. This substance can have a powerful effect on reducing itching as it is involved as a messenger substance in the pain signaling system.  Not only will you reduce the itch but you will reduce the reflex to scratch which will help to stop bleeding.

These berries as well as fruits such as apples and oranges also contain vitamin C which is also beneficial when naturally consumed.

Eat onion, garlic and ginger but do so in moderation so as not to inflame the anal areas

These flavorings help break down fibrin. This promotes natural repair of tissues and fibrin gets broken down more easily. This helps to reduce inflammation around your hemorrhoid.

The extent to which you adapt the foods to eat when you have hemorrhoids will play a major factor in managing your condition.

The length of time hemorrhoids take to heal will depend on a variety of factors. For most people they come and the inflammation and bleeding may last a few days or a number of weeks. Persistent bleeding hemorrhoids that do not respond to treatment after 10 days or so should be seen by a physician as there is always a chance that they may have a more serious underlying cause. Hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy normally disappear spontaneously when the pregnancy is over. Generally, in this instance, no specific treatment is required.

The healing time depends on your diet, your weight, how long you have had them, how chronic they have become and what complications are present. Most hemorrhoids respond to creams, ointments and other simple treatments. In order to ensure that they do not persist or reoccur long term it is necessary to make lifestyle changes in combination with treatment — simply being overweight for instance is a contributory factor to persistent hemorrhoids as it places strain around the anus. Losing weight can greatly accelerate the speed with which the hemorrhoid heals. Straining on the loo can cause further damage and delay or prevent healing so ensure your stool is neither too loose or too hard and can be passed easily in order to accelerate healing and avoid a more serious condition. A diet with increased fiber can help you feel healthier as well as help your hemorrhoids to heal.

In short there is no single answer to the question “how long do hemorrhoids take to heal”. Like all manner of conditions they come and go and sometimes be infuriatingly persistent. Even in this later case only a very small percentage require surgical treatment and conservative treatment is generally considered best. Persistent bleeding is however something that is important to get checked-out.

How you naturally treat bleeding hemorrhoids and the benefit obtained will depend on the level of severity of the hemorrhoid. For most overwhelming majority of hemorrhoids a conservative approach is best and this normally means involves changes to lifestyle and diet. In addition to this natural ingredients can be used to reduce inflammation and swelling and encourage the anal healing required to stop bleeding.

A primary aim is to create a soft stool which eliminates straining and further damage to the anus. While doing this you need to avoid diarrhea; recent evidence suggests this also causes bleeding hemorrhoids. The required stool consistency is achievable by ensuring an adequate intake of liquids while avoiding alcohol and adopting a diet high in fiber.

Most important thing therefore is to eat lots of fruit and vegetable and some grain such as unprocessed oats or bran. If you don’t like oats or bran you could try a couple of teaspoon-full of psyllium seed with water. You cannot get more natural than that and this has the potential to have a highly positive effect on your problem and reduce or stop bleeding. As well as creating a much less damaging stool the flavonoids in fruit can also have a strongly beneficial effect in reducing the inflammation involved.

There are also a range of natural products that aim to reduce hemorrhoidal swelling and itching and that can work well in conjunction with dietary changes. Ideally the best approach is natural medication including hemorrhoid cream or hemorrhoid ointment combined with the dietary changes described above. Here are four ingredients to look out for when seeking a natural cure for bleeding hemorrhoids relief.

1. Mullein is reputed to be one of the safest remedies to try. It contains an active ingredient in its leaves called
capsaicin used to treat a variety of ailments including respiratory and skin irritations which respond well – in the case of bleeding hemorrhoids apply in the form of a pre-prepared leaf poultice to the area involved.

2. Butcher’s Broom is a popular herbal remedy. Made from a Mediterranean shrub having the appearance of asparagus it has strong anti-properties. In some ways it works like a natural steroid containing steroidal saponins. As well as the anti-inflammatory effect it tightens veins and strengthens capillary walls.

3. Horse Chestnut is both an astringent and anti-inflammatory containing aescin. Aescin is an active substance believed to improve the tone of the vein tissues and reduce swelling around them by interacting with the collagen.

4. Cayenne. Less commonly used for hemorrhoids amongst the natural cures but recommended by an increasing number of herbal experts and generally is reputed to have a beneficial effect on the circulatory system. Again like its better known relative mullein it contains capsaicin as an active ingredient but additionally combined with Vitamin C and Vitamin E as well as carotenoids.

Try out some natural remedies and see which ones suit you best as there is no universal panacea. The most effective strategy natural treatment of bleeding hemorrhoids in conjunction with dietary and lifestyle changes.

If you have bleeding from your anal area that is continuous and literally will not stop then you need to seek immediate medical advice. In contrast the normal problem with a hemorrhoid that won’t stop bleeding is that blood flows each time you pass a motion, scratch it, or even, from time-to-time, for no obvious reason at all. Note that though often described as swollen veins hemorrhoids are not actually veins at all. In fact, the blood is arterial and this is the reason the blood involved is so bright red.

In another article How to Naturally Treat Bleeding Hemorrhoids we look at conservative ways of treating bleeding hemorrhoids including dietary and life style factors along with natural products that reduce inflammation and bleeding. These treatments work in many if not most cases. However, occasionally the state of the hemorrhoid goes beyond the point that the more conservative and natural treatments, or even the use of strong medically prescribed hydrocortisone creams, are effective. Use of the latter must be only short-term due to potentially serious side effects.

There are sometimes alternative approaches to surgery though. In her ground-breaking book Hemorrhoid No More Jessica Wright explains how she had persistently bleeding and serious hemorrhoids with intensely embarrassing consequences. After unsuccessfully undergoing surgery (a Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy) she ultimately used a diet based holistic method to bring long-term relief.

This demonstrates the potential power of dietary and lifestyle changes to provide relief in some resistant cases where surgery may seem the only way forward. In some other cases particularly when the hemorrhoid reaches stage III or IV there may be highly specific physical reasons why surgery is essential. Let’s next consider some of the implications of when things get to this stage and what you should expect.

As first step when your physician refers you to a surgeon they will need to confirm that the problem really is hemorrhoids and not something else as many other diseases of the rectum have quite similar symptoms such as anal fissures and abscesses. To do this the specialist will examine your anus both outside and inside while you adopt a prone position on a specially equipped proctology table.

Following this an instrument called a flexible sigmoidoscope, which is a flexible tube with a light allows a view of the inside your rectum and colon, will be inserted. This procedure is painless and can detect inflamed tissue as well as problems such as ulcers, polyps, and abnormal growth. This may be an unenticing prospect but will be all in a day’s work for the man or women examining you.

Depending on the results of the investigations and the severity and character of the hemorrhoid there are a number of surgical treatments available to the surgeon. The most common of the by far is the Elastic Band Ligation (EBL). This is one of the considered a simple, safe and quick to perform procedure which is not as invasive as most other methods. This involves an elastic band tied around the hemorrhoid using a special device called a rubber band ligator. This starves it of blood and after seven to ten days it falls off leaving a small ulcer that heals naturally. If you have several hemorrhoids the surgeon may carry out the procedure during a single session while others prefer to ligate them individually over the course of a number of weeks.

This simple operation has an excellent chance of success with up to up to 85% of patients finding that their symptoms are relieved. After a few years some patients find their symptoms return though repeat of the procedure is normally successful in this case. Few patients (<5%) require a more invasive treatment such as a hemorrhoidectomy following rubber band ligation.

There are some other ways of achieving a similar effect including injecting chemicals into the hemorrhoid and electro-coagulation. The first of these methods tends to be painful and second time-consuming and they are less often used. Some surgeons also use lasers but the equipment is expensive and does not necessarily offer advantages over other methods. In some more serious cases a more conventional hemorrhoidectomy may be required in which the hemorrhoid removed by surgical incision. This is a more major procedure with greater associated pain than those described above but has a good chance of curing the problem permanently.

A Stapled Hemorrhoidoplexy is a relatively new procedure used to staple a prolapsed hemorrhoid back in position. This requires a very experienced surgeon but is quick and with very little pain. A specially developed stapling gun is used and it is sometimes possible to carry it out under a local anesthetic. The technique is not widely available.

Diet and Hemorrhoids

The worst food to eat when you have hemorrhoids can be highly detrimental to the speed with which they heal. Here are some important examples.

Avoid foods that give you constipation

Avoiding constipation must be a primary aim to treat hemorrhoids. Constipation can cause inflammation and bleeding and is considered a leading cause of hemorrhoids. In particular bleached white flour, sugar, fructose and those with high sodium content. In practice this rules out white bread and many convenience foods. Large quantities of red meat should be avoided though may be eaten a couple of times a week. Avoid breakfast cereals loaded with sugar. Cut out all energy-dense food like cakes and cookies.

Avoid foods that give you diarrhea

That Friday night curry can have an explosive effect the following morning. There is good research showing that diarrhea is just as bad as constipation at causing hemorrhoids in the first place and then making them worse when you have them. The aim is therefore to adopt a good quality diet that produces a formed stool that is not too hard but easy to pass.

Avoid food that increase inflammation

Hot foods play an aggravating role here. Spices are fine but eat them in moderation. A mild curry is better than burning hot one. Gradually decrease your taste for salt by adding smaller and smaller portions until you add none at all. Don’t eat Mexican too often. French, Italian and Japanese food is generally much better for your hemorrhoid health.Avoid foods that can case direct physical damage to the anus. The worst foods to eat when you have hemorrhoids include all foods causing inflammation.

Anything that leaves a hard and potentially damaging residue in the stool. Nuts are a good example. In general chew your food well to insure that it is well broken down before you digest it.

Avoid drinks which cause dehydration

Dehydration is another cause of constipation and drinks like strong tea and coffee can cause it. Cut down on coffee and drink more water. Avoid alcohol.

General rule for hemorrhoid sufferers

Adopt a healthy diet with plenty of fruit and vegetables. Move away from eating lots of prepackaged food with unhealthy ingredients. The worst foods to eat when you have hemorrhoids include those giving you constipation,diarrhea and inflammation. When your stool reaches the correct soft consistency you know you are making progress. Regular constipation or diarrhea will make your hemorrhoids worse. If you sit reading on the loo you are a candidate for a hemorrhoidectomy at some future date  It is much easier to modify your diet than have to undergo hemorrhoid surgery. A good diet also impacts your weight which will again directly contribute to your hemorrhoid health.

When I was a boy I suffered from slight dyslexia. It was not that bad but sometimes my mind would go completely blank when I tried to spell a word. Later on I tried to visualize the word before I spelled it and in most cases that worked a treat. In the case of hemorrhoids my old technique has proved a complete failure. If hemorrhoids is one of the most common ailments known to man (with 50% of us having some kind of abnormality) then the word hemorrhoid, hemroid, hemoroid, heamorrhoid must be one of the commonest misspellings.

The first reference to hemorrhoids was by Aristotle about the year 360BC. I have no idea how he spelt it but by 1350AD they started to spell it emoroides in old English. This came from the Latin haimorroida which means discharging blood. At least that is spot on. Why can’t it just be piles though?

In modern spelling this has become correctly hemorrhoid for the noun and hemorrhoidal for the adjective though the spellchecker in Microsoft Word still does not recognize this second form. Dictionaries normally define the word something like “an abnormally enlarged vein in the anal sphincter” even though the word also applies medically to the normal un-enlarged structure.

If you have difficulty remembering the spelling split the word in two hemor.rhoid and then spell and visualize the two parts separately. You could even give up and call it a hemroid as everybody will know what you mean. Incidentally this spelling is keyed into Google with similar frequency to the technically correct spelling so you will be in good company.

The only good thing to know about hemorrhoids is that they are normally not particularly serious and most people do not need surgery. Using a good quality hemorrhoidal cream when symptoms first appear is a excellent start to treating them.

What Causes Hemorrhoids?

Conventional Medical Opinion on Hemorrhoid Causes

The answer to what causes hemorrhoids is normally that constipation and hemorrhoids go together as day follows night. It is also widely held that it’s not just hemorrhoids that are caused by constipation but also anal fissures and other anal pathologies. Is this true though or is the reality about anal health more complex than this? The conventional medical view has recently been questioned as some other researchers have come to different conclusions. In a related article how do you get hemorrhoids we consider this more deeply.

Revised View on Hemorrhoid Causes

In one particular study undertaken by the Medical  College of Wisconsin 325 patients who underwent proctoscopy were reviewed. As part of this they were asked detailed questions about their symptoms and bowel habits. It was discovered that about half the patients actually had signs of hemorrhoids which is similar to the results of another major study carried out a couple of decades ago at the Mayo Clinic. The strongest relationships involved a connection between hemorrhoids and either being overweight or having regular diarrhea. This conflicted with the conventional view that constipation was the major factor. At the same time there was  little evidence  to support the idea that varicose veins or cirrhosis of the liver were causal agents as had previously believed.

This was a one off study and taken alone cannot be considered definitive. Nevertheless most sources of information on hemorrhoids nearly always emphasizes the importance of constipation without mentioning diarrhea. The work at Wisconsin at least suggests that this factor is at least as important as constipation. The major recommendation following from this is that it is vital to have a stall of appropriate consistency whatever causes your hemorrhoids — neither too loose nor too hard. Having the correct consistency will almost certainly reduce the chance of further damage to the anus either way. Adopting a healthy diet cannot only help reduce your weight – another primary cause of hemorrhoids, but also directly improve your anal health. Taking action with a hemorrhoid cream is preferable to leaving symptoms unattended.