Soothing the Pain
Avoid medicinal laxatives. Laxatives can be habit forming and can also weaken the bowels, potentially leading to chronic constipation. Instead, use dietary changes and herbal supplements to stimulate your bowels, if necessary.
Take a Sitz bath. Sitz baths technically only have a few inches of water to soak the anus but if you prefer a full bath, it can accomplish the same thing. If you prefer the traditional Sitz bath, just fill the tub with a few inches of water or buy a Sitz bath at any pharmacy or medical supply store. Some of the commercial bags come with tubing and vents to allow water to constantly circulate. These provide a constant supply of water that is useful but not essential; the same effects can be accomplished at home using the tub. These baths allow for better circulation in the anal area and for relaxation and healing of the tissues around the anus. Add about one cup of epsom salts to a full bathtub or two to three tablespoons of epsom salts for a few inches of water in the tub. Keep the water warm, but not too hot. Repeat two to three times a day. Fill your bathtub with about 6 inches (15 cm) of warm water and add a handful of Epsom salt to the mix, stirring it up so it dissolves. Now sit in the bathtub with your knees flexed for fifteen minutes. Flexing the knees will expose your anus to the water and the warm water will soothe the pain and the inflammation.
Try a warm compress. Get a clean, cotton wash towel and soak it in warm (but not hot) water. Apply the compress for about 10 to 15 minutes, directly on the pile. Repeat four to five times a day. Warning: Don’t sit on a heating pad, as it may burn your skin.
Use ice. Ice packs can help reduce the swelling of piles. You can use already-made ice packs or place some ice into a plastic bag and wrap in a piece of cloth. Place it onto the hemorrhoid region. Only use ice packs for five to ten minutes at a time. Do not apply ice directly onto skin as doing so could produce harmful effects (such as frostbite).
Use unscented moistened wipes. Maintaining hygiene is important for someone who is suffering from hemorrhoids because it prevents complications from forming, such as infection or blistering of anal mucosa due to excessive dryness. To prevent such complications, one may use unscented cotton wet wipes, often called "baby wipes" (can be purchased in many common types of stores) to gently wipe the anal region after every bowel movement. After a Sitz bath—and in general—avoid wiping with regular toilet paper or hard towels. Only use soft and gentle methods of cleaning. A baby wipe is an effective and soothing product. In addition, avoid perfumed or colored toilet paper. Although they may seem pleasing, the chemical additives that create scent and color can cause local irritation on the body.
Apply an astringent to the affected area. Pharmaceutical witch hazel is a naturally-derived antioxidant and astringent, which can help soothe engorged hemorrhoids and make them feel less sore, and may significantly help to reduce itching of piles. Witch hazel can be applied directly--gently and in moderate amounts--with cotton swabs or cotton pads; soaked pads can be bought in stores. However, know that witch hazel and other astringents will likely need to be avoided in the presence of auto-immune disorders such as moderate to severe dermal sensitivity (i.e. rosacea, eczema), and, of course, allergy to a substance in question; always consider your overall health and other known or suspected health conditions before using medicinal products. Repeat as often as needed. Try to apply witch hazel at least 4 to 5 times a day. Warm olive oil is an alternative to witch hazel. Olive oil will additionally remedy the dryness of the affected area as it is a rich lubricant containing antioxidants. For non-dietary use, choose non-virgin oil for lower price and better resource allocation. Warm, wet tea bags can also be used to soothe pain in the anal region. Tea contains a natural astringent which helps to reduce swelling, while the warmth of the tea bag can relieve pain. Before use, ensure that the tea (not "tisane") bag is not hot.
Try pain- and itch-relieving topical applications. After a bath and fully drying off, use a small amount of aloe vera gel or Preparation H ointment to help with hemorrhoidal pain and discomfort. Apply as often as needed (also consult directions and ingredients written on labels). Aloe vera gel contains components that have been shown to inhibit infection and help in healing minor wounds. You can use the gel straight from an aloe plant by taking a large leaf and cutting it open to release the gel. Alternatively, you can purchase 100% natural aloe vera gel from a drug store. Preparation H ointment, available in most grocery stores, contains petroleum jelly, mineral oil, shark liver oil and phenylephrine—phenylephrine acts as a decongestant and helps shrink the hemorrhoid.
Extract and apply vegetable juice. Beetroot and carrots can be crushed to extract their juice. A thick piece of cotton or a large piece of gauze can be soaked with the juice and applied on the swollen veins. Initial research has shown beetroot can reduce high blood pressure and might help reduce swelling of the engorged hemorrhoids.
Consider taking herbal supplements. There are different types of herbs that can act as natural laxatives. Some good options include: Senna: A natural and gentle stool softener. You can take senna as tablets (following manufacturer’s instructions) or as a nightly tea. Psyllium: A natural bulking and softening agent. Adults can take between 1/2 and 2 teaspoons of psyllium (such as Metamucil) in 8 ounces of water once daily. The psyllium should be added to the water, stirred and drunk immediately (the mixture thickens quickly). You may want to start with 1/2 teaspoon and increase the dose by 1/2 teaspoon the next day if passing stool is still uncomfortable. Flaxseed: Add as a bulking agent to foods such as cereals, salads, soups and smoothies. Adding 2 to 3 tablespoons of flaxseed daily can ease the passage of stools.
Explore other natural relief remedies. You might have a few things in your kitchen that you didn't know could help with piles. Here are some ideas: Bitter gourd leaves, when crushed, can be applied locally to relieve the pain caused by piles. Baking soda can be applied as a powder or as a paste on the swollen veins (use 1 tablespoon of baking soda and mix with water). Make sure to only leave it on for 15 minutes as the paste could dry out the area and worsen the situation. About 5 milliliters of the latex or juice of the banyan tree, when added to a serving of milk and consumed once daily (especially in the morning), is beneficial for patients with piles. A mixture of ginger and honey, boiled to make a decoction (an extraction through boiling) and then spiced with a dash of sweet lime and mint leaves helps detoxify the body and cool the body system. It will ensure a good blood supply to the piles. 3 teaspoons of honey boiled with 2 teaspoons of pepper and 2 teaspoons of fennel along with 500 millimeters of water makes an excellent decoction that can be consumed over the day.
Use essential oils. Essential oil must be diluted in carrier oil before applying to skin. To create a dilution, add 2 to 4 drops of a chosen essential oil to 2 fluid ounces (59.1 ml) of a base, such as jojoba oil, castor oil, almond oil or avocado oil. Mix well and apply directly to external piles. Use 1 essential oil or up to 2 to 3 in a mixture. Lavender oil can help relieve pain and itching. Cypress oil is used to soothe and help in healing tissue. Tea tree oil is an antiseptic and is anti-inflammatory. Avocado oil can be used as a base or added to other oils. It moisturizes, soothes and accelerates healing.
Changing Diet
Eat more fiber. Preventing difficult or straining bowel movements by softening the stool is a major method of both preventing and getting rid of piles. Fiber is very important in this regard. It helps keep water in the stool and bulks it up so that the stool passes through the rectum and anus more easily and, in the case of hemorrhoids, with less pain. (Note: determine ingredient sensitivity and allergy prior to following any consumption advice.) Good sources of fiber include: Whole grains, including brown rice, barley, corn, rye, bulgur wheat, kasha (buckwheat) and oatmeal. (Note: consuming grain while having auto-immune disorders or sensitivity to gluten or starches can cause bloating, cramping, diarrhea, intestinal damage and other ailments.) Fruits, especially cherries, blueberries, plums, prunes, apricots, raspberries and strawberries. Vegetables, such as leafy vegetables like Swiss chard, collard greens, spinach, lettuce, beet greens. Beans and legumes. (Note: eating beans and legumes can increase intestinal gas.)
Drink more water. An adequate consumption of water cannot be emphasized enough. A minimum of 8 to 10 8-ounce servings per day is recommended. Sufficient water intake helps keep bowel movement soft and keeps organs properly hydrated and lubricated.
Get more vitamin C. Vitamin C can tone and shrink veins, keeping them from becoming lax, prolapsing, or bleeding easily. Vitamin C along with anthocyanins helps keep your veins strong and can protect against straining or tearing in the anus. Citrus and other fruits often also contain bioflavonoids, which help strengthen your veins. Fruits rich in flavonoids are lemons and limes, apples and tomatoes. Anthocyanin-rich foods include onions, red cabbage and carrots and fruits like berries, grapes and cherries. (Note: most of the aforementioned foods in this section are noted cautionary items in auto-immune diet protocols, and they can disrupt digestion, blood pressure and immune response in sensitive individuals with compromised auto-immunity.) All varieties of berries, owing to their anti-inflammatory properties and being rich in vitamin C and flavonoids, ensure smooth passage for the stool. They're also excellent sources of antioxidants.
Try drinking more vegetable juices. Drinking beetroot juice has shown to reduce blood pressure by about 2% and may be helpful in reducing the swelling of hemorrhoids. You might try having a glass each week or eat a boiled beetroot each day for a month and see if you notice the difference. Alternatively, radish juice is one of the best options to flush out the toxins from the body as well as ensure that the stool passes through without any pain and discomfort. One must be careful with the quantity consumed, as ¼ cup of radish juice once a day is more than enough. More than ½ a cup can aggravate the symptoms. A little juice of turnip leaves can also be added to the radish juice or can be had by itself too.
Know what foods to avoid. Piles can easily be aggravated by certain foods. For example, heavily seasoned food with spices and chilies must be avoided at all costs as it can greatly increase the discomfort and bleeding of piles. Processed food, canned food, and food with preservatives should also be avoided as they are very low in fiber and typically contain chemical additives that can aggravate the condition of piles. Fatty or deep fried food like meat, fast food, and french fries can also intensify the symptoms of piles due to their poor fiber, high-fat content and chemical additives involved.
Making Lifestyle Changes
Don’t strain. Straining is one of the main causes of hemorrhoids. Allow gravity to help, but let your bowels do most of the work. If nothing happens, put it off for an hour or so, but most importantly, don’t strain!
Try to routinize your bowel movements. See if you can arrange a regular time to use the bathroom without interruptions. Regular bowel movements at around the same time every day tend to make bowel movements easier. Moreover, having regular bowel movements is a great predictor of overall good health. Use baby wipes to clean yourself after a bowel movement.Warning: Don’t wait once you feel the urge to have a bowel movement. Go as soon as you can, but don’t sit for too long waiting since sitting is associated with an increased risk of hemorrhoids.
Wear cotton underwear. If you suffer from piles or hemorrhoids you should use 100% cotton underwear. Cotton is very gentle on the skin, which means it will minimize any irritation that you may feel from other materials such as polyester or silk. Cotton prevents itching in the piles, is absorptive and gentle on the sensitive piles. Avoid wearing thongs which may irritate the tissue surrounding the piles.
Exercise. The exercise can be aerobic, endurance, cardiovascular or just walking. The idea is that body movement can help keep your bowels moving by essentially massaging them. In other words, as your body moves, your internal organs move and get massaged as well. This can help with circulation to the piles and also help keep your bowels regular in general. It is essential that a healthy circulation be maintained in the piles, which are nothing but engorged anal veins. If the blood supply reduces, they might become gangrenous and lead to an emergency.
Avoid sitting for long periods of time. Not sitting for long periods of time can be beneficial for people who suffer from hemorrhoids. Sitting can actually develop excessive intra-abdominal pressure and may aggravate the hemorrhoids. If you have a desk job, get up every hour and go for a short walk. Find a foam cushion or a doughnut cushion (a coccyx cushion) to sit on if you do need to sit for a bit of time. This can help relieve some of the pressure.
Cut back on alcohol. Alcohol is one of the first things you should cut down on because it dehydrates you and causes your stools to be hard. Alcohol use can negatively affect piles and will not only hamper the chances of recovery but can increase the bleeding as well. It has been proven that prolonged use of alcohol leads to portal hypertension (swelling of the liver) and hemorrhoids. Try to limit yourself to a maximum of one to two drinks per day. This is the recommended amount, but you might want to try to drink even less than that if you are currently battling piles.
When to Seek Medical Treatment
See your doctor immediately if you experience bleeding. Although this may not be a cause for concern, it’s always best to see a doctor if you have rectal bleeding. Your doctor will make sure you don’t have another condition, and they’ll check that your hemorrhoids aren’t at risk for infection. Your doctor may prescribe you something to relieve the cause of your bleeding.Tip: If your hemorrhoids are interfering with your life, don’t hesitate to see your doctor. This is a completely normal condition, so there’s no need to be embarrassed.
Check with your doctor for chronic hemorrhoids or if they persist longer than 4-7 days. Although hemorrhoids are normal, you may need a doctor’s care if they’re becoming frequent or don’t go away with home treatment. You may need to make some changes to your diet or lifestyle, which your doctor can help you identify. Additionally, your doctor may recommend using a cream or ointment to relieve your symptoms.
Get a diagnosis with a physical exam. In most cases, your doctor can quickly and easily diagnose hemorrhoids by just looking at the area. Additionally, they’ll ask you questions about the symptoms you’ve been experiencing and how long they’ve been happening. If you may have hemorrhoids inside your rectum, your doctor may use their gloved finger to check. This is often simple and quick.
Consider medical treatments if nothing else helps. Most hemorrhoids go away on their own, but you may consider other options if yours won’t go away with home treatment. If your hemorrhoid is very large or painful, ask your doctor about your options. They may recommend one of the following treatments to help you find relief: Creams, Ointments, or Suppositories: These treatments are often available over-the-counter at your pharmacy. However, your doctor can also prescribe you a stronger version. Banding: This is a simple procedure where your doctor puts a tight elastic band at the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply. After a few days, your hemorrhoid should fall off. Surgery: While you’re under anesthesia, your doctor can remove or shrink a large hemorrhoid.
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