Hemorrhoids are as common as the cold, yet they're rarely talked about. Each year millions of Americans experience the symptoms of painful itching and burning of the rectum, along with tenderness and bleeding. Nearly half of all Americans over 50 will have hemorrhoids at one time or another.
Like varicose veins, hemorrhoids are a swelling of the blood vessels. When rectal blood vessels swell and bulge it causes a painful inflammation of the surrounding tissues and membranes. Sometimes the bulging veins remain internal and at other times they protrude externally. Either way, they are painful.
In most cases the causes of hemorrhoids are situational. Common triggers of hemorrhoids are pregnancy, constipation, sedentary lifestyle, heavy lifting and childbirth. Some of these situations are just not avoidable. That doesn't mean however, that you can't heal hemorrhoids or prevent them.
Since the triggers can often be hard to avoid, prevention to whatever degree possible is the best course of action. Two lifestyle changes can inoculate your body to prevent most episodes of hemorrhoids. They are: a high fiber diet, and plenty of exercise. A high fiber diet encourages healthy bowel movements and exercise strengthens the muscles and aids in digestion.
If symptoms of hemorrhoids are severe, a doctor should be consulted immediately. That said, in most instances you can heal hemorrhoids successfully at home. Doctors suggest taking a warm sitz bath three times a day at the earliest onset of symptoms. In addition they recommend the use of moist wipes after each bowel movement to eliminate further irritation of the painful area.
Once symptoms are present there are two approaches to heal hemorrhoids - both have high rates of success. The first and more conventional approach is to use over-the-counter ointments, such as Preparation H or similar products. In addition, the use of medicated wipes can further enhance healing. The local pharmacist can be helpful in pointing out preferred products.
Many hemorrhoid sufferers prefer the herbal approach. Herbalists and naturopaths recommend both witch hazel and aloe vera. Both come in liquid and ointment form and can be purchased in health food stores and some pharmacies. Witch hazel and aloe vera have been very effective in reducing the pain, swelling and bleeding of hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are as common as the cold and just as debilitating. Eating a high fiber diet and getting plenty of exercise can prevent most occurrences. However even with adequate prevention, outbreaks do occur, and when they do most episodes of hemorrhoids can be successfully treated at home.
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