This exceedingly unpleasant physical condition can be caused by anything from heredity to acute constipation. You know you have hemorrhoids when the lower rectum and anal canal veins lining swell up, and you can’t pass bowels due to bleeding and pain. Piles bleeding can also induce severe anemia. Piles can afflict people of all ages, although they are most common in the elderly, pregnant women, bedridden patients, and those with spinal cord injuries. It can be treated at home in its initial stage. In this article, we have explained everything about piles, its causes, home remedies to get rid of piles, and more. Keep reading!
What Is A Hemorrhoid?
Hemorrhoids are blood vessels that are located in the muscles of the walls of the anus and the rectum. These are generally in the form of masses, clumps, or cushions of tissue in the anal canal (1).
Why Do Piles Happen?
The term “piles” is used to refer to the condition of swollen and inflamed hemorrhoids. It is characterized by a hard lump in the anal canal and is accompanied by pain, itchiness, and bleeding (1). Chronic constipation, lifting heavy weights, pregnancy, and straining while passing stools can aggravate piles. According to a survey conducted by the HD Treatment Center, it was suggested that around half of US adults develop hemorrhoids by time they reach the age of 50. However, not many are known to seek medical treatment for the condition. About 10.4 million people in the US are estimated to be suffering from hemorrhoids and about 1 million new cases are found every year. Among these new cases approximately 10% to 20% are in need of surgery. According to a study published in the Surgery Journal (New York), the incidence of piles was highest among smokers compared to nonsmokers. 242 subjects comprising smokers as well as non-smokers were tested as part of the study, wherein 72% of smokers as opposed to 52% of non-smokers had colonoscopic findings of hemorrhoids, as documented in the graph.
Comparison Of Incidence Of Hemorrhoids Between Smokers And Nonsmokers
Natural Remedies To Treat Piles (Hemorrhoids)
Many people feel shy to approach a doctor with this problem since it can involve an uncomfortable examination. If you are on the lookout for a cure, you can try the following hemorrhoids home remedies.
Home Remedies For Piles
1. Sitz Bath For Hemorrhoids
A bathtub Lukewarm water
Soak up to three times a day. A shallow bath that you can soak in is called a sitz bath. The warmth of this antipruritic will help in soothing and relaxing the anal muscles and give you relief from the itchiness (2).
2. Witch Hazel For Hemorrhoids
Witch hazel water Cotton ball
Soak the cotton ball in the witch hazel water and place this on your anal area for a few minutes. Use this remedy three to four times a day. Witch hazel is often used for inflammation reduction and to relieve irritation. It will have a cooling effect when applied to the affected area. It is also an astringenti A chemical agent or substance that helps shrink tissues and dry up secretions to cleanse the skin, tighten pores, or dry oils. and will prevent the development of infections (3). This remedy works well for external hemorrhoids.
3. Tea Tree Oil For Hemorrhoids
2-3 drops tea tree oil 1 teaspoon olive oil Cotton ball
Repeat this thrice a day. Also known as melaleuca oil, tea tree oil is an excellent remedy for skin inflammation and itching. As one of the essential oils to treat hemorrhoids, its anti-bacterial, anti-viral, and anti-fungal properties will keep the area clean and germ-free (4). As tea tree oil is a strong essential oil, it can slightly sting even after dilution.
4. Aloe Vera For Hemorrhoids
Aloe vera leaf Do this twice or thrice every day. This plant is well-known for its medicinal values. Its therapeutic and anti-inflammatory properties can help relieve hemorrhoids (5). You can also consume aloe vera juice for swelling reduction when suffering from piles.
5. Coconut Oil For Piles
Virgin coconut oil Using clean fingers, apply coconut oil to the affected area. You can apply it twice or thrice a day until the pain or lumps disappear. Applying coconut oil gives relief from the burning and itching caused by piles. It reduces inflammation and helps with pain management (6). It is also a wide-range antimicrobial agent (7).
6. Radish Juice For Piles
Fresh radishes Try drinking radish juice twice a day. Radish juice is a great natural remedy for piles. It will help you in flushing out and detoxifying your system, reducing the painful discomfort of piles. It improves digestion and relieves constipation, which is one of the main underlying causes of piles (8).
7. Garlic For Piles
Garlic cloves A cup of water Gauze
- For external hemorrhoids, peel three to four garlic cloves and boil them in the water for 10 minutes. Strain and cool this water in the refrigerator. Soak the cotton pad in this water and place it on the anus for 10 to 15 minutes. 2. For internal hemorrhoids, peel a garlic clove and press it a little so that the juices are oozing out slightly. Place this inside the rectum and leave it overnight. You can repeat the garlic water gauze application thrice a day. The anti-inflammatory and antibiotic properties of garlic will help bring relief and comfort from pain and swelling in no time (9).
8. Jatyadi Oil For Piles
5-6 drops Jatyadi oil Lukewarm water A bathtub
Repeat this twice or thrice a day. This Ayurvedic remedy is often prescribed by naturopathic doctors as an alternative medicine for treating piles and anal fissuresi A tear in the lining of the anal canal caused mainly due to passing hard stools. It may also cause pain and bleeding. . The therapeutic, wound-healing properties of this herbal oil come into play when treating piles and anal fissures (10).
9. Olive Oil For Piles
Extra virgin olive oil Warm up the oil slightly and apply on the affected area for relief. Apply olive oil twice or thrice a day and also before going to bed. In addition to its various properties for hydrating and nourishing skin, hair, and health, olive oil is effective in easing pain and swelling caused by piles. This is because it possesses anti-inflammatory properties (11). You can also consume one teaspoon of the oil daily.
10. Fiber-Rich Food For Piles
One of the main problems faced during hemorrhoids is the problem of passing stools. Passing stools can be difficult and can cause bleeding. If you have enough roughage (fiber) in your diet, the process can become easier. And if constipation is the cause of your problem, hemorrhoids can subside. It is advisable to consume 30 to 35 gms of fiber in a day to treat piles. Have ample amount of fiber-rich foods like vegetables, fruits, whole grains, etc. to keep piles at bay (12).
11. Tea Bags For Hemorrhoids
Black tea bags Hot water
Repeat this twice or thrice daily until you get relief from piles. Black tea is a natural astringent and also contains antioxidants. Placing tea bags can help in reducing the symptoms of piles (13). Tea also possesses anti-inflammatory properties and will reduce the swelling of the hemorrhoid muscles (14).
12. Black Seed Oil For Hemorrhoids
1/2 teaspoon black seed oil 1 teaspoon vinegar
Apply the oil-vinegar mixture thrice a day and drink the decoction (with oil) twice a day. Known otherwise as Kalonji oil, this potent herbal oil derived from black cumin seeds is used in the treatment of a number of internal and external health problems. Its therapeutic properties are mainly due to the compound calledthymoquinonei A phytochemical compound found commonly in black seed oil and has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. present in it. Its key properties include anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, analgesic, and immune support It regulates the digestive process (15).
13. Green Tea For Piles
Green tea bag or leaves A cup of hot water 1/2 teaspoon honey 1/2 teaspoon lemon juice
Drink two cups of green tea in a day. The antioxidant properties of green tea fasten the healing process of hemorrhoids. Both ingestion and external application will reduce the swelling. Also, green tea enhances the digestive process and will give relief from constipation (16, 17).
14. Dried Figs For Hemorrhoids
3-4 figs A glass of water
- Wash the figs and soak them in the water overnight. 2. Eat two of these on an empty stomach early in the morning and the other two at night. 3. You can also drink the water the figs were soaked in. Do this on a daily basis until the piles go away. This remedy will definitely relieve the pain and swelling of the inflamed hemorrhoids. Figs exert a laxative effect on the digestive system and give relief from constipation (20). Hemorrhoids or piles can definitely be a nuisance and cause extreme discomfort. If using the above-mentioned remedies has had zero to minimum effects on your body, and there is bleeding, please consult your doctor immediately or try proper medical treatment as suggested below.
Treatment For Hemorrhoid
Treatment options for hemorrhoids vary based on severity. For mild cases, lifestyle changes such as high-fiber diets, adequate hydration, and regular exercise can alleviate symptoms. Shailja Dwivedi, a blogger, faced unexpected internal hemorrhoids despite her healthy lifestyle. She researched remedies diligently and has documented the best practices to avoid hemorrhoids in her blog, emphasizing lifestyle changes, such as daily walks, increased water intake, and more fiber. She shares, “Hemorrhoids are swelled-up blood vessels around the hip & anus region. This gets swelled because of a sedentary lifestyle. So I decided to walk everyday…. Started having more fiber in my diet. Drinking 9–10 glasses of water. No packaged food. Only homemade food. Most importantly reduced screen time from 12 hrs to 8 hrs…. Most importantly don’t take stress, smile more and spend more time with your family (i).” Over-the-counter creams and suppositories offer relief by reducing inflammation and easing discomfort. In more severe cases, medical procedures like sclerotherapy, or surgical hemorrhoidectomy might be necessary to remove or shrink the hemorrhoids (21). Rubber band ligation is one of the most common non-surgical, minimally invasive procedures for treating hemorrhoids. In this method, a small rubber band is tied at the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off blood flow. Within days, the hemorrhoid shrinks, reducing pain (22). However, be cautious and maintain proper hygiene, avoid prolonged sitting, and manage constipation after this procedure. Learn about natural remedies for piles or hemorrhoids. The video below gives you tips to manage and reduce the symptoms of the condition without surgery. Watch it now!
Expert’s Answers for Reader’s Questions
What foods to avoid and what foods to eat for piles? Apart from trying the self-care remedies for piles given above, it is important to incorporate certain dietary changes in your routine to get quick relief from this painful disease. If you are suffering from piles, you need to follow a dietary pattern that is conducive to the treatment and therapy of piles.
Piles patients should stay away from spicy food and chillies as they can aggravate the symptoms Artificially flavored foods containing preservatives should also be avoided They should incorporate fruits and vegetables in their diet as it may have anti-hemorrhoidal effects Besides banana, berries like blackberries and grapes are quite helpful in curing piles. Berries have anti-inflammatory properties, which aid the free passage of bowels. They also cure pain and swelling. Vegetables that are beneficial in this regard include papaya, cabbage, and colocasia Bioflavonoids are a type of plant compounds that can stabilize and strengthen the blood vessel walls by decreasing inflammation. They are mostly found in citrus fruits and are recommended for treating hemorrhoids in pregnancy. It is advised to increase the consumption of citrus fruits for successful pain, itchiness, discharge, and bleeding reduction. Patients affected by piles should have a water intake of at least 3 liters during the entire day. Water intake in the form of buttermilk, non sweetened fruit or vegetable smoothies, and coconut water is also acceptable.
What are the symptoms of piles? Symptoms of piles include:
Blood or mucus discharge after a bowel movement Pain during defecation Red and swollen anus Formation of a hard lump of coagulated blood called thrombosed external hemorrhoid
Best yoga asanas for piles(hemorrhoids) relief Make some lifestyle changes and start practicing yoga on a regular basis as it can help in reducing the symptoms of piles. Yoga is stress-reducing, it regulates the body’s functioning and brings about a healthy balance. Include these yoga asanas in your daily workout routine for relief from piles (hemorrhoids):
Sarvangasana – Also known as the Candle Pose, this asana will improve blood flow and help in reducing the clots in the anus. Matsyasana – This asana will reduce the discomfort and pain of hemorrhoids. It is also called the Fish Pose. Balasana – Known as the Child Pose, this asana enhances blood circulation to the anus and reduces constipation.
Do hemorrhoids hurt? Yes, they do! Hemorrhoids hurt especially when you are trying to pass stools. But there may also be a mild pain throughout the day as an after effect of the pressure applied during defecation. Can hemorrhoids cause stomach cramps? Abdominal pain or cramps in the stomach may be experienced in hemorrhoids. This is mainly because of the constipated tummy. Tips to prevent hemorrhoids • Lack of fluids can be a major problem. If you keep having sufficient water, your digestive tract will remain clear, and you will not have any problems in passing stools. So, always have plenty of water. • Since the veins in and around your anus are swollen beyond their natural state, it is best not to strain them. So, do not perform any kind of exercise that will cause excess strain on the lower half of your body. • Let your body rest and heal • A healthy diet with enough amount of fiber will ensure healthy functioning of the digestive system and help in hemorrhoid prevention • Practice simple, anxiety-reducing yoga asanas every day to further help your body in regulating the digestive process How long do hemorrhoids take to heal? Small hemorrhoids may heal on their own within a few days to a week. Larger or chronic hemorrhoids may last for weeks and need medical intervention. Is Vaseline good for hemorrhoids? While Vaseline (petroleum jelly) will not help heal hemorrhoids, it can lessen the pain and inflammation. Can you pop hemorrhoid? No. You should not pop hemorrhoids, as it can lead to an open wound and severe bleeding. Will ice packs shrink hemorrhoids? Anecdotal evidence suggests that applying an ice pack or cold compress for a short duration can help reduce swelling and pain associated with hemorrhoids.
Illustration: Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids (Piles)
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