Are Hemorrhoids Preventable?

If you see blood during bowel movements, it’s natural to be worried and indeed you should be, but this is also a normal hemorrhoid symptom. If ever you do have any anal bleeding, your very first step should be to get a complete exam to rule out any potentially more serious diseases or conditions. It may be tempting to self diagnose, but it needs to be strenuously stated that a complete exam is necessary. Yes, I know that this is embarrassing and potentially difficult but it’s really not as bad as you may think. Your doctor will probably do a quick visual exam and then maybe something more invasive like a colonoscopy to make sure that it is just hemorrhoids. A colonoscopy is a small price to pay for peace of mind and continued good health.

Now that we’ve covered diagnosing, most people want to know what causes hemorrhoids and most importantly, how to prevent them. As far as what causes hemorrhoids, there are several factors which include aging, obesity, straining during bowel movements, genetics and pregnancy. Obviously some of these we can control and others we can’t. Probably the single most common cause of hemorrhoids is straining during bowel movements and this is something that is easily controllable. With more fruits, vegetables and high fiber foods we can make bowel movements softer and easier. Not only will this help reduce symptoms you may already have but this simple step can keep you from getting hemorrhoids in the first place. If you find that these diet changes are too difficult to tackle, grab some bulk fiber and add it to your drinks and regular food, it has no taste and doesn’t have the unpleasant texture that the bulk fibers of yesteryear used to have in our grandparents day.

With two easy steps you can be well on your way to managing and preventing hemorrhoids. Step one, visit your doctor. Step two; add more fiber to your diet. These two things will get you on your way to easy hemorrhoid relief.

Naturally Treating Hemorrhoids

Depending on the severity of the hemorrhoid and the type of recovery that you need, there are various types of hemorrhoid treatment available to choose from. The recovery period is a main concern since some of the hemorrhoid treatment can take up to four weeks for full recovery. Sometimes in the most extreme cases, surgery may be the only solution to treat hemorrhoid, but surgery is not preferred by many since it is not only painful but also expensive and has side effects. But don’t worry too much about surgery, because it is only used in very severe cases and most people won’t fall into this category.

If the hemorrhoid is of mild nature, the best solution is to use a hemorrhoid cream. There are many creams available that can be purchased over the counter and will help in relieving the pain associated with hemorrhoid. However these creams do not offer a permanent solution and only eases the pain as you decide on the best hemorrhoid treatment.

Natural hemorrhoid treatment is found to be effective and sustaining. In a natural hemorrhoid treatment, vitamins, minerals and some herbs are used to ease the pain as well as to provide a permanent relief from hemorrhoid. Natural treatments are also easy to use and they provide quick relief and are inexpensive compared to other forms of hemroid treatment options.

Along with the natural treatment, having a good diet also helps in warding off hemorrhoids. Having plenty of water along with a fiber rich diet will help in curing hemorrhoid. Try to include fresh vegetables and fruits, especially those high in fiber in the daily diet. Work involving sitting for long time can also lead to hemorrhoid. Sedentary workers should try to take frequent breaks in between and be mobile. Treating hemorrhoids the natural way is the best and most sustainable solution in the long run.

Causes of Hemorrhoids

Although hemorrhoids are usually considered a malady too embarrassing to discuss, the fact is that many people suffer from them, and it is important to be aware of the various methods of hemorrhoid treatment. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum that have become inflamed. If they are external, the symptoms are pain and itching. If the hemorrhoids are internal, they are likely not felt but may cause bleeding during defecation.

The presence of hemorrhoids is usually associated with straining during defecation, generally caused by constipation. Pregnant and premenstrual women often experience them as well because their rectal veins may undergo added pressure. Hypertension is another source of the problem as is an insufficient amount of vitamin E in the diet. Overindulgence in dairy products may cause hemorrhoids by increasing not only the amount of lactic acid in the system but also the likelihood of constipation.

Prevention of hemorrhoids includes following the same regimen involved in any healthy lifestyle. That is, drink plenty of fluids, get enough exercise, and make that your diet contains a sufficient amount of fiber. These guidelines basically account for regular, easy bowel movements. Some believe that the squatting position during defecation inhibits the formation of hemorrhoids.

Hemroid treatment options vary. Topical ointments and suppositories applied after a warm bath will ease the pain and itching and may shrink swollen veins. Topical homeopathic hemorrhoid treatments include horse chestnut and Butcher’s Broom, an evergreen shrub found in Eurasia. Systemic pain relievers will lessen the symptoms, and anti-inflammatories may reduce swelling. If surgery is required, one method is to tie off the hemroid, depriving it of its blood supply. Another is using electrical current to dry up the membrane, and a third method is surgical excision. Whatever hemorrhoid treatment sufferers may chose, they may be consoled. They are not alone.

Curing Hemorrhoids

Almost 50% of people live with hemorrhoids, both men and women, but not everyone shows symptoms. Some people live with them and never know, but others experience itching, burning, bleeding, and pain in the rectal area on a daily basis. Though the prevention of hemorrhoids encompasses a broad range of topics, most preventative measures focus on removing strain from the bowel during defecation. This over exertion is the leading cause of hemorrhoid flare ups. In order to remove strain during a bowel movement it is necessary to first utilize a high fiber diet, drink plenty of water, and have regular bowel movements.

Avoid eating foods that may cause pain or discomfort such as spicy foods and pepper as well as not drinking too much alcohol, which can direct blood to flow into the peripheral vessels, bringing on a flare-up. Over using laxatives can also have an adverse effect on the body, as diarrhea can be as strenuous on the bowel as straining to go to the bathroom.  In addition, low fiber diets cause stools to be hard, scraping the bowel as it is passed; this can irritate the veins in the lower rectum as well, bringing on bleeding and discomfort.

Most cases of hemorrhoids are treatable with medication available at any drugstore. There are also a variety of homeopathic methods used to treat hemorrhoid problems nowadays, and surgery, which was considered the foremost method of removing hemorrhoids at one point in time, has now become a last resort used only in worst case scenarios.

Our bodies were designed to heal themselves and though many may not know this fact hemorrhoids can actually cure themselves.  This doesn’t happen overnight nor without a significant change in the diet of someone diagnosed with hemorrhoids, but it is probable that if a person with hemorrhoids were to adopt a high fiber diet, keep themselves well hydrated, have regular bowel movements, and take all the necessary precautions to remove strain on rectum during the passing of stools that hemorrhoids could be prevented.