What are hemorrhoids? Well, for many people they are a real pain in the backside, that’s for sure.  But to be more precise, Hemorrhoids refer to swellings and inflammation of veins that are located in the rectum and anus.

They are actually mass of tissues infused with blood vessels which if not attended to on time will cause itching, bleeding and in extreme cases severe pain. The bowel movements are hampered and the patient goes through a lot of discomfort.

What Causes Hemorrhoids

Besides knowing what hemorrhoids are, if you want to get rid of them, it is essential to know what causes them. The primary cause is constipation. This anomaly is particularly evident in women, as a fall out of water retention during menstruation. Excessive exertion from bowel movement is therefore a primary cause.

Hypertension is another major reason, which strains the link between the vena cava and the portal vein in the rectal wall. Obesity, prolonged sitting, poor posture and muscle tone that create undue pressure in the rectal area will lead to hemorrhoids. Pregnant women with hypertension are prone to it. Consumption of caffeine and even alcohol can help cause it.

Hemorrhoids Misdiagnoses

Hemorrhoids must not be confused with fistulae or fissures though they exhibit similar symptoms. Hemorrhoids are normally temporary and not fatal. They disappear through proper treatment. The symptoms too are not always apparent. You may notice blood in your stools and sense itching and pain. In such a case of ‘thrombosed hemorrhoids’, the patient will find a stiff lump in the anus.

The Importance of Healthy Diet and Exercise

Vitamin E deficiency and lack of fluid along with excess intake of dairy products are responsible for hemorrhoids. However ‘probiotic’ food like yogurt may prevent inflammation. Since internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum and are not painful, the patient may not even be aware of it. However irritation may cause it to bleed.

By exercising, increasing fluid and fiber intake, and correcting posture one can prevent hemorrhoids. Use of laxatives and wearing of tight underwear will aggravate the condition. Women should increase their intake of fluids and dietary fiber just before menstruation. The use of squat toilets also brings relief.

Approach to hemorrhoids varies from person-to-person and even culture-to-culture. To many, hemorrhoids are temporary. Mild and homely treatments are enough. Bidet, warm bath, analgesic are used for relief.
In the case of external hemorrhoids a warm compress can be applied which causes the rectal area to relax. Treating Hemorrhoids, in the early stages, with medicated cream proves beneficial. You might want to avoid steroid preparations, as they may aggravate the condition. The affected area should be kept dry and clean with adequate lubrication. Suppositories will also help.

Natural or herbal remedies should be tried under proper guidance to avoid drug interaction. Use of horse chestnut, witch hazel, aloe vera, Japanese pagoda plant extracts, and honey has proved to be effective. Consumption of plantain, seed husks, chamomile tea is encouraged for soft stool. Surgical treatments for Hemorrhoids include ‘Galvanic electrotherapy, rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, cryosurgery etc.

Just knowing the answer to the question, what are hemorrhoids is not enough. A thorough knowledge of its causes is essential if one intends to avoid it.

Hemorrhoids can be a very painful condition afflicting the rectum and anus and though people are embarrassed to talk about it, the fact is that it can turn very nasty.

Various treatments are recommended for this condition.  Finding a natural cure for hemorrhoids might provide the best option if the condition is in its initial stages and can be more easily controlled. This web page gives information, tips and advice, to anyone who is looking to find these types of cures for hemorrhoids.

Many over-the-counter medicines promise instant relief and the catch is that they deliver exactly that; ‘instant’ relief but not a long-term solution. These medicines do not tackle the root cause of hemorrhoids but merely reduce the pain. Natural remedies and lifestyle changes are the best ways to tackle this problem.

Hemorrhoids and Your Bowel Movements

Since most hemorrhoids have their beginnings in constipation, having a diet rich in fibers and grains will encourage bowel movements and reduce constipation. This in turn will not give rise to those painful bumps on the anus which make sitting and passing stool so difficult. A healthy daily dose of fresh fruits and vegetables is essential to prevent constipation and in turn treating hemorrhoids.

Excessive alcohol consumption also is one of the culprits leading to constipation or worsening existing constipation. Avoiding or reducing the intake of alcohol is necessary to avoid constipation and existing mild hemorrhoids can be redressed. Caffeine can also worsen the hemorrhoids as caffeine dehydrates the body depriving it of fluids and thus aggravating constipation. Drinking plenty of fluids throughout the day is one type of natural cure for hemorrhoids.

Herbal Remedies for Hemorrhoids

Zenmed ziro and venapro are two natural treatments for hemorrhoids and these herbal remedies have been found to be very effective in healing hemorrhoids. Another natural cure for hemorrhoids is to include flavonoids in the diet. Flavonoids are found in many fruits and vegetables and are known to give relief from the pain, reduce inflammation and strengthen the veins.

A herbal remedy called the ‘butcher’s broom’ helps shrink the swollen tissues and provides relief from the pain. This can be made into an ointment by mixing it with tincture or powder and applying it to the affected area. Done in conjunction with the oral intake of butcher’s broom tea or capsules, it speeds up the healing process.

The reason many people form hemorrhoids is because of difficulty in passing stool which may be very hard. Taking Psyllium seeds daily will help soften the stool and improve the bowel movement. This will help the hemorrhoids to heal faster. Increasing the intake of beets and beet greens in the diet can also work wonders. Beets are rich in manganese, potassium and folate which reduce inflammation and its fiber reduces constipation.

The hydrotherapy method of sitting in a tub of warm water for 10-15 minutes thrice a day will tremendously help in easing the inflammation and pain. Warm water is therapeutic and the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids will lessen noticeably.

It is better to tackle this condition in the initial stages itself to prevent future surgery and finding a natural cure for hemorrhoids is very often the best course of action as it can be done by anyone simply by following certain dietary precautions and unlike in medicines, less side-effects, in fact there are generally no side effects at all.

For an indepth guide on natural cures for hemorrhoids and also about changing your lifestyle to prevent hemorrhoids from ever coming back again, you might want to take a look at the hemorrhoid miracle system.