Home Treatments For Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids (or piles) are swollen and enlarged veins in the anal area.  Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure in the veins in the pelvic and rectal area—the veins can get swollen and enlarged and result in a hemorrhoid. They can be internal or external. They are not always painful—often, people are unaware they have hemorrhoids, especially the internal ones. External hemorrhoids tend to be more painful—but not always. 

A person can have both internal and external hemorrhoids at the same time. Both types of hemorrhoids can range in size from very small and barely noticed to quite large and uncomfortable.  The most common signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids are blood on the toilet paper, itching and/or pain in the rectal area, especially when cleaning the anal area, and a feeling of discomfort or pain with bowel movements.  Hemorrhoids are quite common in women during pregnancy. The other common cause of hemorrhoids is straining during bowel movements—usually because of constipation or dry, hard feces.

How Can I Prevent Hemorrhoids?

One of the best things you can do to prevent hemorrhoids is to maintain healthy bowels with regular bowel movements. 

Some ways you can do this is by:

• Drink plenty of plain water—the drier the stool, the harder it is to pass
• Eat lots of high-fiber foods.  This includes whole grains like brown rice, flax and bran, fruits with the skin such as apples and plums, and vegetables such as leafy greens (Swiss chard, mustard and collard greens, spinach and beet tops).
• When you are in the bathroom—leave yourself the time!  Go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge and relax—try not to strain to pass the stools.
• Lower the acid pH of your stools by avoiding: 1) soft drinks 2) citrus fruits and juices, and 3) beer and wine.
• Avoid caffeine—especially coffee.
• Elevate your knees when sitting on the toilet—this mimics the squatting posture that was used for thousands of years before the invention of the toilet!  The theory is that it makes bowel movements easier.
• Keep active—bowels work better when you are more physically active.  If you have a desk job, see if you can take a quick walk once or twice a day.
• Most people should have 1-2 bowel movements every day.

Can I Treat my Hemorrhoids at Home?

Most hemorrhoids can be treated at home with simple prevention and home remedies.  If the hemorrhoid isn’t getting any better after a few days, make sure you get in touch with your doctor. The first approach has already been discussed—drink plenty of water, eat plenty of fiber and avoid straining during bowel movements.

If you find you have a hemorrhoid or hemorrhoids (its more common to have one, buy you can have more than one at the same time), there are a few home remedies you can use.

• Use plain white toilet paper that is slightly moistened with warm water to gently clean the area.  Blot with the toilet paper—don’t wipe, as that will further irritate the tissues. You can also clean off in the shower or by using a bidet. Avoid soaps or the pre-moistened towelettes because most soaps and towelettes will irritate—if you have a natural, glycerine based soap, great!  Vinegar can be used as a home astringent.
• Alternate hot and cold treatments in the area—use an ice pack (~5 minutes) then a warm pack for about 10 minutes, and then the ice pack again (5 minutes).  Repeat this at least a few times a day.
• Use a “sitz bath” without adding anything—just sit in the warm water for about 10 minutes. Make sure the water is comfortably warm and NOT too hot!
• Wear cotton undergarments and keep the area dry—after any of the treatments using water, make sure that you gently but completely dry the anal area.
• You can use ointments that contain vitamins A, D and E to help heal the area—you can also use these before bowel movements to lubricate and minimize the discomfort when you pass the stool.
• An enema may be useful to relieve constipation and ease stool passage—especially when the hemorrhoid is most sensitive. Plain, warm water enemas or glycerine suppositories are the best. 

Herbal Treatments For Hemorrhoids

There are a number of different herbs that have been traditionally used to alleviate the swelling, itching and discomfort of hemorrhoids.  Some you can find in your local pharmacy. Some can be compounded into gels which can be applied directly to the hemorrhoids. Some herbs can be taken internally to help hemorrhoids heal and reduce their size. The most common herbs used in the treatment of hemorrhoids are:

• Aesculus hippocastanum—the horse chestnut.  This has been traditionally used as a tonic for the veins—it strengthens the walls of the veins and makes them resistant to the swelling that makes a hemorrhoid.  Aesculus also is an anti-inflammatory and as astringent and can help to not only reduce the hemorrhoids, but reduce the pain and discomfort as well.
• Ulmus fulva—slippery elm.  The “slippery” part of the name tells part of the story—slippery elm lubricates, softens and soothes inflamed tissues.
• Hammamelis virginiana—commonly known as witch hazel—is an astringent (meaning it will reduce swelling) and an anti-inflammatory.
• Quercus alba—white oak bark.  This is another astringent and vascular toner—the tannins in the white oak bark shrink the hemorrhoid tissue and soothe the inflammation.
• Ruscus aculeatus – is also known as butcher’s broom and is used to constrict the veins of the hemorrhoid.
• Pomegranate juice- drink at least 3-4 glasses a day.

You can make a home hemorrhoid ointment

Open 1-2 capsules containing Vitamin E onto a small area of a clean dish or bowl.  Add a drop or two of slippery elm.  If you have butcher’s broom, white oak or horse chestnut in powder form, mix in a small amount (about the size of this “O”) and mix with a clean toothpick.  Pre-treat the hemorrhoid with a bit of witch hazel on a cotton ball.  Then, when dry, apply the ointment.