The human body is complex, and sometimes it breaks… literally! In the case of hemorrhoids, the veins around your anus can swell or protrude, causing intense pain and discomfort, not to mention embarrassment!
They’re the butt of certain low-brow jokes (pun intended), but they’re far from rare – in fact, most people get them from time to time. Yet despite their frequency, many people don’t know how to treat hemorrhoids or why they get them in the first place.
Today, let’s break down where hemorrhoids come from and explore some natural remedies you can rely on before turning to medication.
How Are Hemorrhoids Caused?
In simple terms, a hemorrhoid is a swollen vein in your lower rectum and/or anus. You can get hemorrhoids either inside the rectum, in which case they are called internal hemorrhoids or under the skin around your anus, in which case they are external hemorrhoids.
Either way, hemorrhoids are very uncomfortable and can significantly impact your ability to perform everyday functions, or even sit comfortably! So it’s important to know how to tackle hemorrhoids without necessarily enduring an embarrassing visit to the doctor.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
- Itching and irritation in the general region where they crop up
- Painful lump
- General pain and discomfort
- Rectal bleeding if the swelling breaks the skin
- Bleeding during a bowel movement (bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl)
Why Do Hemorrhoids Occur?
Basically, the veins around the anal region are regularly subjected to a lot of pressure. Sometimes, those veins can stretch. Instead of flexing like normal, they can swell up or bulge. They may also occur because of increased pressure, which can occur from:
- Having a higher than average body weight
- Having chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
- Straining during your normal bowel movements
- Not eating enough fiber
- Straining too much during heavy lifting sessions at the gym
- Being pregnant
While swollen veins lead to hemorrhoids, a tear in the lining of the anus causes an anal fissure. Just like hemorrhoids, an anal fissure, crohn’s disease, and ulcerative colitis can also lead to blood in the stool among other things.
As you can see, there are lots of ways in which you might develop one or more hemorrhoids. In fact, three out of four adults will eventually develop them for one reason or another! So don’t feel embarrassed if you experience this issue from time to time.
Remedies for Hemorrhoids
Fortunately, there are lots of ways to remedy one or more hemorrhoids through home or natural solutions. Let’s take a look at some of these therapies and treatments now.
Use Optimal Positioning When on the Toilet
One of the best ways to minimize discomfort if you already have hemorrhoids and to decrease more from cropping up is to change your position when you’re on the toilet. The standard position with your feet flat on the ground and your knees at waist level is actually suboptimal.
Instead, elevate your feet with a step stool when you sit on the toilet. This will change the position of your rectum and help your stools to pass a little more easily. It’s a small change, but one you might consider adopting for overall comfort even after your hemorrhoids have passed!
Apply Witch Hazel to Reduce Discomfort
Witch hazel is a popular herbal remedy for a variety of illnesses and ailments, including hemorrhoids. Witch hazel, when used as an ointment or cream, can reduce irritations and help soothe the discomfort inherent with hemorrhoid development.
In many ways, a witch hazel cream or ointment may be a better choice if you need a topical solution for your problem. OTC creams with synthetic additives can irritate the skin around hemorrhoid or make things even worse. Witch hazel doesn’t have these potential side effects to worry about.
Don’t Over-Wipe with Dry TP
When wiping after a bowel movement, be sure not to over-wipe with dry toilet paper, either by scrubbing too hard or using too much. In fact, for the best results, try to use wet wipes (which are gentler and even clean better than their dry counterparts) and only wipe gently.
Wiping too roughly with dry TP can exacerbate hemorrhoid symptoms and make you feel even more uncomfortable.
Focus on Gut Health
You can also relieve some of your symptoms by prioritizing gut health. Remember, everything you eat that isn’t absorbed eventually passes as stool. It’s a good idea to eat lots of high-fiber foods, as these foods can soften stool and increase its bulk. In turn, this will prevent any straining that causes hemorrhoids in the first place.
Plus, eating more fiber-rich foods can increase the health of your gut microbiome: the collection of healthy bacteria in your gut that can affect how your stool passes and how healthy your overall digestive tract is.
Use Natural Supplements/Ingredients
One last thing you can try is prioritizing certain key nutrients or supplementary ingredients. Eating certain foods can reduce inflammation and improve overall digestive health. For example:
- Collagen is a key protein needed for both skin repair and for the fabrication of new proteins. In some cases, collagen can repair cell walls in and around your rectum, reducing the likelihood of more hemorrhoids cropping up
- L glutamine, is a key amino acid that can also repair cell walls and help you recover from hemorrhoids more quickly
- Various digestive enzymes and probiotics. Digestive enzymes can help your digestive tract be healthier and improve the quality of your stool, minimizing the need for straining during bowel movements. Probiotics are helpful bacteria that add to your gut microbiome, as well as make your stool softer and less acidic. Try Livingood Daily GI Support and pair it with Livingood Daily Pre + Pro + Post Biotics Blend for digestive enzymes and to help rebalance your good gut bacteria.
Self Treatment
Hemorrhoids can typically be treated successfully without complications if you start treatment early. Some self remedies include:
- Sitz bath (warm water bath for the buttocks)
- Livingood Daily Silver Serum or witch hazel to assist with itching and burning.
- Livingood Daily Omegas + Turmeric to help reduce pain and swelling.
Summary
Overall, treating hemorrhoids is something everyone should know how to do, especially since most folks will get at least one at some point in their lives! Fortunately, there are plenty of ways to treat these issues without having to take medication or even visit a doctor if your hemorrhoids are minor enough.
Need more information about helpful supplements or general wellness? Check out Dr. Livingood’s guides and articles today!
Sources
Definition & Facts of Hemorrhoids | NIDDK
Harvard Health Hemorrhoids and what to do about them | Harvard Health
Daniel Pendick 6 self-help tips for hemorrhoid flare-ups | Harvard Health
7 Best and Worst Home Remedies for Your Hemorrhoids | Cleveland Clinic
The Roles of Glutamine in the Intestine and Its Implication in Intestinal Diseases | NCBI
