Amongst the many causes of hemorrhoids, the most common are obesity and stretching of the anal nerves when relieving the bowels. Usually, when an individual’s anal nerves are stretched during the process of relieving the bowels, it is a sure sign that the individual has problems with constipation. Being obese increases the chances that an individual will suffer from these digestive problems. As one would tend to conclude, constipation and obesity are in most cases (not all) the result of poor dietary habits.
Since it is said that prevention is better than cure, it is essential that we look at a few hemorrhoids prevention methods before we start delving into any natural hemorrhoids treatment methods.
Methods to Prevent Hemorrhoids
- Exercise and reduce weight – A sedentary lifestyle can quickly lead to an individual becoming overweight, and result in a rapid decline in physical health. The digestive system slows down and functions at very low levels, in some cases resulting in constipation. Once you start exercising, you reactivate the digestive tract, lose weight and the problems tend to go away.
- Increase the intake of fiber-rich foods: Eat a lot of fruit and vegetables – Because one of the major causes of strained bowel movements is constipation, eating a lot of foods that are rich in fiber content will help solve the problem. Fiber in foods assists in softening stools, and is important for the colon to function at peak levels, and the general health of the digestive system. Fiber in foods assists in cleaning out the intestines, alleviating constipation and giving the digestive system the chance to work at its peak operating level. Fiber can be obtained from foods such as: vegetables, almonds, pecans, prunes, pistachios, pears and beans.
- Eat foods that are rich in probiotics – Probiotics are organisms such as bacteria or yeast that are believed to improve your health. They are defined as good bacteria that are essential for aiding digestion in the stomach and thus prevent constipation and promote overall health. Probiotics can be obtained by either taking probiotic supplements or by eating probiotic-rich foods such as cheese, yogurt and various other fermented foods.
- Drink a lot of water – Drinking a lot of water has always been the recommended doctors as essential to good health. Water assists in cleansing the digestive system and for hydrating the body in general. Water also helps soften the stools and will definitely reduce the problem of straining of anal nerves during bowel movement.
If these hemorrhoids prevention tips are used in conjunction with natural hemorrhoids treatments, the symptoms should disappear and there should be a reversal of the issue.
There are six home remedies that are suggested for treating hemorrhoids. These are:
- Apple Cider Vinegar – This is one of the most popular natural treatments for hemorrhoids. A cotton ball or some toilet paper is soaked in apple cider vinegar and then applied to the hemorrhoid area. This process is repeated until the inflammation and the symptoms disappear. An improvement in the situation should be realized quickly. Alternatively, the apple cider vinegar (about half a cup) could be applied to a sitz bath.
- Rutin – This is a health promoting compound found in plants such as lemon, grapefruit, oranges, cranberries. Rutin is another natural remedy that is used for hemorrhoids. It can be bought and used as a supplement, and this is suggested as the best option.
- Coconut oil – This is applied directly to the hemorrhoids. It is then rinsed and the process is repeated. The symptoms should subside and the hemorrhoids should disappear within a few days.
- Witch Hazel – Witch hazel is one of the oldest known treatments for hemorrhoids. A pad or cotton ball is soaked in witch hazel and applied to the area.
- Aloe Vera – As with the other treatments that have been mentioned above, aloe vera is simply applied to the affected areas in order to relieve the symptoms.
- Do not sit, Squat – Sitting down to pass stools places a lot of strain on the rectum. While squatting straightens and relaxes the rectum. This is mostly overlooked as our modern toilets are designed for sitting rather than squatting.
Other considerations should be:
- Soak the area with warm water a few times a day to reduce inflammation.
- Keep the area clean.
- Apply ice packs or cold compresses to relieve swelling.
