Hemorrhoids, hemroids or piles as they are more commonly known to the layperson affect at least 50% of people at some point in their lives. Considering the world has 6 billion people, that is an astounding percentage that warrants our attention!

So, what exactly are piles, why do we get them, and what are the symptoms of hemroids?

Hemroids are engorged blood vessels that manifest as painful inflammation of the rectal area. What gives rise to them?

Several factors increase the risks of piles developing. Just everyday activities can have rather exacerbating consequences. These include:

• standing without a break for long periods of time
• sitting still for prolonged periods
• extreme straining due to constipation and interestingly, its diametrical opposite; diarrhea
• extreme obesity
• pregnancy; especially during the difficult final trimester
• anal sex
• poor diet that is deficient of high fibers
• a sedentary lifestyle that is devoid in exercise
• genetics; a cause that may be purely conjecture.

So, how can we tell that we are suffering from piles; or in other words, what are the symptoms of hemroids?

As with all medical conditions, proper diagnosis is very important for correct treatment. Piles have often been erroneously blamed for other conditions such as skin fissures, fistulae, abscesses and itches.

There are two classifications of hemroids; internal and external.

Bleeding is the most commonly experienced symptom of internal hemroids. Bright red blood can be seen coating expelled stools, coloring the toilet bowl or staining used toilet tissue. Whilst it may appear alarming, hemorrhoidal bleeding does not normally lead to life-threatening major blood loss.

Another symptom of internal hemroids is when they are described as prolapsed. This is when they protrude from the anal opening. It is quite alright to push such prolapsed piles back into the anus with a firm but gentle tuck.

As for external hemorrhoids or piles, the most common symptom is the clotting of blood that results in swollen lumps. In this state, they are classified as thrombosed. This condition calls for more attention as excessive attempts to relieve the intense pain, via physical cleaning, can result in an aggravated state.

Recognising the symptoms of hemroids is the first step to recovery. Normally, piles are very easily treated. They do away without the help of any medication or treatment by a doctor. For the more persistent variety, there are plenty of over the counter remedies at the local drugstore or even on the internet. The key thing to watch out for is when they are thrombosed, whereupon it is imperative that you seek medical attention even if the embarrassment kills you. A doctor can ascertain that you are in fact suffering from piles and not any other medical condition requiring a different form of treatment.

Home Remedies and Natural Treatments for Constipation

Natural treatments for constipation are not only easy to use and highly effective, but they support good bowel health overall. As this simple condition that is experienced by many can often lead to other more complicated issues further down the line, such as a weakened immune system, hemorroids, and toxic fecal impaction, it is enormously important that constipation be avoided at all costs. However, when constipation does occur, natural treatments are the most effective, safest way of relieving this condition.

A key component of good health is having a healthy bowel movement daily. In situations in which this doesn’t occur, it can often be a case in which the constipation is driven by less than conducive lifestyle habits. Constipation is generally defined as a person having a bowel movement between zero and three times per week.

When a person who is experiencing constipation finally does have a bowel movement, the stool is usually painful or uncomfortable in passing. The stool is also typically hard, dry and is expelled in small pieces. Even though a bowel movement may have occurred, this condition usually is linked to a bowel that is not completely emptied, which again will bring about further tummy and anal discomfort.

Although constipation is most often caused by a poor diet and poor lifestyle choices, other conditions, such as pregnancy, aging, hypothyroidism, irritable bowel syndrome, laxative abuse, certain medications, and a habit of purposely avoiding bowel movements may cause constipation. While over the counter and traditional medical interventions do well to address the condition, they are not without risk of side effects, nor do such treatments address the root cause of this condition. On the other hand, natural treatments for constipation help in addressing the symptoms, as well as help in correcting the lifestyle imbalances that originally caused the constipation.

Eating foods that are high in fiber is one of the best, most obvious ways of naturally treating constipation. Even though this may seem quite east to get on top off and carry out, many of us do not consume nearly enough fiber each day within their diet. To correct this, those prone to constipation should increase their intake of foods high in fiber, such as apples, peaches, flaxseed, oatmeal, bananas, whole grain foods and other fresh vegetables. They should also increase their fluid intake by drinking water, unsweetened fruit juices, and vegetable juices.

By supplemeting with certain foods, there are also other foods that should be utterly avoided. Some of these include processed sugar, processed flour, fast food, caffeine, alcohol, cheese, and meat. As often as you can, the foods mentioned should be replaced with foods that are high in fiber, or better yet completely removed from the diet.

Regular exercise is also crucial in maintaining a healthy bowel and treating constipation. Daily exercise that involves at least 30 minutes of movement is helpful in increasing circulation and optimizing intestinal function. Daily walking, jogging, yoga, tai chi and other mild to moderate exercise is recommended.

By treating constipation naturally, a person is able to, not only correct the bad habits that led to the original bout of constipation, but can safely avoid its recurrence. Natural treatments for constipation have been safely and effectively used for generations to treat this common discomfort and are completely without risk or side effects. In making simple diet and lifestyle changes, constipation can be corrected, as a host of other conditions can also be avoided in the process.