This post is dedicated to helping people learn about and manage their piles. Post provide helpful information and resources to help people understand what piles are, how to prevent them, and how to manage them. It also provide advice and tips for dealing with the pain, swelling, and other symptoms associated with piles. My aim is to help people live a healthy and comfortable life with piles. This post provides a comprehensive overview of home remedies for treating piles, also known as hemorrhoids. It covers the causes of piles, natural remedies for relieving symptoms, lifestyle changes to prevent reoccurrence, and tips for diagnosing and treating piles. The post also includes a discussion of potential risks and complications associated with piles, as well as information on when to seek medical attention.
What Exactly is a Hemorrhoid or Piles?
Hemorrhoids, also known as “piles,” are enlarged veins in the lower rectum or anus caused by blood blockage in the hemorrhoidal complex. They can protrude and cause pain when squeezed while sitting. Estimates suggest they affect about 1/3 of Americans, approximately 75 million people. Hemorrhoids are anal varicose veins that expand during defecation and may remain swollen due to repeated straining, often from constipation. This can lead to pain, itching, and bleeding, especially common during pregnancy when increased abdominal pressure affects lower abdomen veins.
Common Names and Synonyms
Hemorrhoids is also known as Haemorrhoids / Piles (common English), Bawasir / Dhana (Hindi/Urdu), Gemorroy (Russian), Mulavyadhi (Marathi), Rasigalu (Kannada), Mula noy / Moolam Noi / Kuviyal (Tamil), Mulavyadhi (Telegu), Mulakkuru (Malayalam), Wasir (Indonesian). Piles or haemorrhoids are among the most common ailments today, especially in the Western world. They are a varicose and often inflamed condition of the veins inside or just outside the rectum. In external piles there is a lot of pain, but not much bleeding. Whereas in case of internal piles there is discharge of dark blood. In some cases the veins burst and this results in what is known as bleeding piles.
Types of Piles
Hemorrhoids can be divided into three categories.
- Internal hemorrhoids: Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum, where they cannot be seen. Because they are usually painless, you may not even be aware of them unless they bleed.
- External hemorrhoids: External hemorrhoids are located at the lower end of the anal canal, at the opening of the anus and under the skin. They are likely to become inflamed; when they do, they turn blue or purple and feel tender to the touch. Because of the high number of nerves in the anus, these hemorrhoids can be quite painful.
- Prolapsed Hemorrhoids: If an internal hemorrhoid becomes enlarged, it may collapse and descend so that it partially protrudes outside of the anus. These lumpy looking masses of tissue are called prolapsed hemorrhoids. They usually appear after a bowel movement and produce both mucus and heavy bleeding. Prolapsed hemorrhoids can be excruciating painful.
Common Symptoms
Pain at passing stools, slight bleeding in the case of internal trouble and a feeling of soreness and irritation after passing a stool are the usual symptoms of piles. The patient cannot sit comfortably due to itching, discomfort and pain in the rectal region. Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in or around the anus that cause pain, itching, and, occasionally, bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids, the most common type, develop inside the anus. You might have some bleeding, but no pain. External hemorrhoids are the painful ones, and they, too, can cause some bleeding. Either kind may turn into a prolapsed hemorrhoid, a soft lump that protrudes from the anus. Prolonged sitting, pregnancy, and aging all contribute to hemorrhoids. If you frequently have constipation and strain when you’re having a bowel movement, you can create hemorrhoids or make them worse.
- Pain or discomfort in the anus or rectal area.
- Itching or irritation in the anus.
- A lump near the anus, which may be tender.
- Bleeding from the rectum, often during bowel movements.
- Leakage of feces from the rectum.
- A sensation of incomplete evacuation of the bowels.
- Swelling around the anus.
Root Causes
Root causes includes constipation and straining, lifting heavy objects, obesity, pregnancy and childbirth, inactivity, especially standing or sitting for extended periods, poor anal hygiene, hypothyroidism, food allergies, portal hypertension and poor liver function. Most cases of hemorrhoids are linked in some way to a lack of dietary fiber. They are best treated at home with increased fiber intake, detoxification, and soothing treatments for the pain and the itching. If your hemorrhoids don’t improve with these conservative strategies, see a doctor about more aggressive treatments. In rare cases, surgery is required to remove large and very painful hemorrhoids. If you have any rectal bleeding at all, consult with a doctor so that to rule out a more serious underlying condition.
Common Causes
- Straining during bowel movements.
- Sitting for long periods of time.
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea.
- Being high on weight.
- Low-fiber diet.
- Pregnancy.
- Anal intercourse.
- Aging.
- Genetic factors.
Home Remedies for External, Internal Piles
How to cure hemorrhoids home remedies? How to cure hemorrhoids at home fast? What are top home remedies to shrink hemorrhoids? The best way to deal with hemorrhoids is to prevent them, and the best way to do that is to prevent constipation. You’ll find several herbs that are good for relieving chronic constipation in this post. Basically, staying regular boils down to eating a high fiber diet, with lots of fruits and vegetables, and drinking plenty of nonalcoholic fluids. Anyone who regularly eats five fibrous fruits and five fibrous veggies a day will not suffer from constipation. In other words, a preventive ounce of carrots or apples or prunes is worth a pound of buckthorn, an herbal laxative, taken later.
1. Figs
Fig is an excellent home remedy for hemorrhoids piles. Soak 3-4 dried fig into the warm water. Eat it morning with empty stomach and drink the same water. Soak figs in same way in morning and eat in the evening. Repeat the procedure for at least a month. Small seeds inside the fig stimulate the process of intestine. Which helps to stop constipation and hence reduces anus pressure and helps veins to get contract.
2. Sat Isabgol
It is important to keep the stools loose and soft, as hard stools irritate the hemorrhoids. Taking 1 teaspoon of sat isabgol (psyllium husks) with a glass of warm milk at night is beneficial for hemorrhoids. OR Another way to help keep the stools soft is to take ½ to 1 teaspoon of triphala powder at bedtime with warm water.
3. DIY Home Made Cream
Use the following salve after each bowel movement. One teaspoon Calendula, One teaspoon Camomile, One teaspoon Yarrow, One teaspoon Plantain, and One teaspoon St. John’s Wort. Mix each herb in powdered form with enough emollient oil (almond) to form a paste then apply.
4. Mango Seed
During mango season collect mango seeds. Dry them and make a powder. Take 1-2 gm of powder with honey twice a day. Repeat the procedure for few weeks to start showing the results.
5. Fruit Juice
If you have rectal bleeding from the hemorrhoid, drink a few ounces of cranberry juice and pomegranate juice (mixed half and half) between meals. That juice will act as a hemostatic, to stop the bleeding.
6. Oil Pack
Warm up about 3 tablespoons of oil, and pour it onto a handkerchief or other soft cloth, spreading it equally on the cloth (or dip the cloth in the oil). Prepare this warm castor oil or sesame oil pack, and sit on it for a while. Both oils are warming; castor oil especially produces a slow, sustained heat that is soothing and healing.
7. Java Plum
Syzygium cumini (jambul, jambolan, or jamun) is very helpful for hemorrhoids piles patients. But as it is seasonal fruit it is hard to get. During the season try eating lots of syzygium cumini with a small amount of salt spread on it. Try this remedy in every season to stay away from hemorrhoids piles. Drink ½ cupful of the pure juice 3 times a day. OR you can add a pinch of ginger to 1 tablespoon aloe vera gel, and take it twice a day.
8. Turmeric
Externally, you can also apply a mixture of ½ teaspoon turmeric and 1 teaspoon ghee directly to the hemorrhoid at bedtime. (But remember that the yellow color of the turmeric will stain whatever cloth it touches).
9. Radish
Another remedy with white radish. Take a 100gm grated radish and 1 tablespoon of honey. Mix it well and eat twice a day. OR Take radish grind or grate, squeeze and use juice. Drink at least 60-90 ml juice. You may add pinch of salt to taste. Also you try radish coating for external use on hemorrhoids. Grind radish with milk and make a paste. Apply this paste on the painful outer part of hemorrhoids, it will help to reduce the pain.
10. Witch Hazel
- Moisten facial or toilet tissue with the witch hazel and gently wipe the affected area. Witch hazel is high in flavonoids and tannins. The former help maintain blood vessels, reduce inflammation, and inhibit enzymes that degrade the architecture of veins. The latter have an astringent (tightening) effect.
- Witch hazel is a soothing, cooling astringent that can help relieve hemorrhoidal pain and itching. But you really don’t have to spend extra for a brand name. Simply make a compress using witch hazel, which is available at pharmacies for a much lower price. Just tuck a fresh compress in place whenever you feel the need for a little soothing. Witch hazel is also the active ingredient in Tucks, the commercial pharmaceutical product often recommended for hemorrhoids.
- Soak a cotton ball with undistilled witch hazel and apply to the hemorrhoids. It’s rich in tannins, which cause the blood vessels to contract. Witch hazel is the main ingredient in the hemorrhoid pads Tucks.
11. Horse Chestnut
Horse chestnut decoction of the spiky husk as well as the fruit can be used as a wash or added to a full bath increases blood circulation to the area immersed and eases the discomfort of haemorrhoids. Cover 1 kg/2.2 lbs of chopped husks and nuts with water and bring briefly to the boil, cover and turn off heat. Leave for 30 minutes then add strained liquid to bath water.
12. Psyllium
Psyllium is a good fiber supplement and has been shown to reduce the pain and the bleeding associated with hemorrhoids. Take 5 to 7 grams daily, along with 10 ounces of water. For external use make a paste of turmeric and olive oil and apply to area 2 times daily.
13. Apple Cider Vinegar
Bleeding hemorrhoids will stop if you take 2 teaspoons (10 ml) of apple cider vinegar in a glass of water at every meal. You can also take 1/2 to 1 teaspoon (1 to 2 g) of cayenne pepper in a glass of water at every meal for several days until the hemorrhoids are gone, then once or twice a week for a good maintenance dose. Cayenne can also be taken as 1-capsule doses. This will clear up hemorrhoids and keep them from reoccurring.
14. Sitz Bath
Fill the bathtub with 4 to 5 inches of warm water, then ease yourself into it. You should be in a seated position, but with your knees raised, allowing maximum exposure of the anal area to the warm water. You’ll find that this eases the pain. What you can’t feel is how the warm water encourages increased blood flow, and that, in turn, helps to shrink swollen veins. Rather than fill up a whole tub every time you want relief, you can purchase a “sitz bath” basin at most pharmacies and medical supply stores. Filling a small basin goes a lot faster than filling a whole tub, and since it’s more convenient, you’ll probably use it more often.
15. Mullein Flowers
Nice Remedy for Skin Problems: Soak 2 handfuls of cut dried or fresh mullein flowers and leaves in 2 cups of olive oil or sweet almond oil for 8 days. Strain, bottle and store in cool place. Makes a very useful dressing for skin ulcers, wounds, sunburn, general bums and hemorrhoids.
16. Comfrey
Comfrey is rich in allantoin, a wound healing chemical that is anti-inflammatory, stimulates the immune system and hastens the formation of new skin. You can moisten powdered comfrey with vegetable oil and apply the paste. Or you can pound the leaf to soften the fuzzy hairs it’s covered with and apply the leaf itself, topically. You don’t have to worry about washing it off, as the residue will come off the next time you shower.
17. Wet Tea Bag
For external hemorrhoids, apply a warm, wet tea bag. You can do it while sitting on the toilet. The warmth is soothing, and you get added benefit from one of tea’s main components, tannic acid. It helps reduce pain and swelling, and since it also promotes blood clotting, this treatment helps stop the bleeding.
18. Sesame Seeds
Take 3 cups of water in a pan. Bring it to boil and add 20 gms of sesame seeds. Boil it till water becomes 1 cup. Grind sesame seeds along with same water. In this paste add some fresh homemade butter. This helps to stop bleeding if any cause of hemorrhoids.
19. Cool Pack
Fill a sturdy plastic bag with ice, wrap the bag in a thin cloth, and sit on it. The cold shrinks the swollen vessels, providing enormous relief. Sit in the chilly saddle for about 20 minutes. There’s no limit on how often you can do this, but give yourself at least a ten-minute break between applications.
20. Potato
Try special potato plaster for reducing inflammations caused by hemorrhoids. Wild as it sounds, a poultice made from grated potato is astringent and soothing. To make special plasters, peel and grate ordinary potatoes and mix half of them with an equal amount of green vegetable leaves (either cabbage, radish or spinach) which had been coarsely pureed in a food blender beforehand. To this wet mass was added about 10% white flour. Everything was then thoroughly mixed in a large pan by hand. Add just enough ice-cold water and not the warm water, slowly to give the paste a wet, somewhat even and thick consistency without being runny or lumpy. Then apply this potato plaster directly to the skin. Try keep it on if possible for 3 and 1/2 hours.
21. The Keesey Technique
A procedure known as the Keesey Technique also referred to as hemorrhoidolysis is available from alternative doctors. This procedure, which takes about ten minutes per treatment, utilizes a galvanic current to shrink hemorrhoidal tissue. During this painless procedure for internal hemorrhoids, the practitioner touches the protruding hemorrhoid with an electrode probe that conducts an electrical current. The result is shrinkage of tissue over the following ten days. Severe cases may require a series of treatments.
22. Vicks VapoRub
To Ease Discomfort: Vicks VapoRub is a little known home remedy for hemorrhoids. There’s no harm in trying this, putting it on the outside of the anus. People say it doesn’t sting but you’ll have to try it for yourself to find out.
23. Lemon
Lemons can improve the peripheral circulation and, as a venous tonic, may be helpful for hemorrhoids and varicose veins. In folk medicine, lemons have always been a popular remedy for feverish chills and coughs, and numerous over-the-counter products based on honey and lemon mixtures are widely available. A homemade alternative is to combine the juice of two lemons with 1 teaspoon of honey and a cup of hot water, stir well and drink three times a day.
24. Pineapple
Some Indians of the Amazon Basin in Brazil boil the rind of ripe pineapple with rosemary, then frequently wash skin rashes and hemorrhoids with the concentrated decoction. In a quart of boiling water, simmer the cut up rind of one pineapple with 1 tbsp. of dried rosemary, uncovered, for the space of 35 minutes. In addition to washing eczema, dermatitis, psoriasis, jock itch, diaper rash, and poison ivy rashes with this solution, you can also saturate several cotton balls with it, squeeze out the excess liquid, and insert them into the rectum for hemorrhoids.
25. Herbs
- In a small bowl mix fresh juice of ginger (1/2 tablespoon), lemon (1 tablespoon), mint leaves (1 tablespoon) and honey (1 big tablespoon). Mix it and eat. Repeat it for few days.
- Drink 1 cup carrot juice mixed with 2 teaspoons cilantro juice twice a day on an empty stomach for relief of hemorrhoids.
- Grind onion with lots of water. Add some sugar in it for taste. Drink this twice a day. Repeat the procedure everyday without fail for several days.
- Rub the skin of a papaya or plantain directly over inflamed area daily.
- Externally, bilberries and cranberries can be used in creams and ointments for hemorrhoids.
Tips For Hemorrhoid Patients
Piles are more common during pregnancy and in conditions affecting the liver and upper bowel. If you’re pregnant, you have another reason to eat your leafy greens. These vegetables are high in B6, a vitamin that many pregnant women lack; a deficiency may contribute to hemorrhoids. Brewer’s yeast and wheat germ are also good sources.
Treat Constiptaion
- The primary cause of piles is chronic constipation and other bowel disorders. The pressure applied to pass a stool to evacuate constipated bowls and the congestion caused by constipation ultimately lead to piles. The use of purgatives to relieve constipation, by their irritating and weakening effect on the lining of the rectum, also result in enlargement and inflammation of veins and bleeding of the mucus lining.
- After each bowel movement, instead of using dry toilet paper, wash the anal area with warm water, and then apply some castor oil to the hemorrhoid. The dry paper may irritate the delicate mucous membrane and aggravate the hemorrhoid.
- In the shower, cleanse your anus gently with warm water and mild soap. Afterward, gently pat the area dry or dry gently with a blow dryer on low. Doing so will inhibit bacteria from becoming trapped in hemorrhoids and thereby decrease itching.
- Excuse yourself and head for the bathroom whenever you have to go. The trouble with waiting is that it leads to constipation. And that, of course, means you have to strain more when you go. And that invites hemorrhoids.
- After a bowel movement, wipe using plain, white, unscented toilet paper dampened under running water. Scented, colored toilet paper may have some aesthetic attractions, but any additional chemical can be an irritant.
Food – Dos and Don’ts
- Rice is easy to digest. For hemorrhoids patients eating butter milk – rice and ripened banana twice a day is very helpful.
- Get more roughage into your diet. Research shows that a high-fiber diet can significantly reduce hemorrhoid symptoms, including pain and bleeding. Foods that are rich in fiber include whole grain breads and cereals, fresh fruits and vegetables, brown rice, and nuts.
- Blueberries, blackberries, cranberry, raspberries, and cherries all contain flavonoids that strengthen the walls of veins. It is also often helpful to take a supplement of 500 mg of bioflavonoids plus routine daily to strengthen the capillaries.
- Drink 1 liter of water daily. When you’re getting more fiber, you need to stay well hydrated to prevent constipation. Be sure to drink enough fluids so that your urine is pale, not dark, yellow.
- Add prunes or figs to your breakfast to speed up a sluggish intestine.
- Have one cup yerba mate tea every day.
- Avoid sugars and spicy foods, as they also tend to worsen this condition.
- Have a tablespoon of flax seed oil every day to encourage elimination, or sprinkle 1 to 2 tablespoons of ground flaxseeds onto cereal or salads.
- Eliminate all animal products form the diet.
- Caffeine and alcohol are dehydrating and worsen hemorrhoids.
Physical and Mental Health
- Mental tension is also one of the main causes of harmorrioids. Persons who are always in a hurry often strain while passing stools. They rush through defecation instead of making it a relaxed affair. The pressure thus exerted by the anal muscles affect the surrounding tissues. The extra rectal pressure and the resultant congestion of veins ultimately leads to haemorrhoids.
- Outdoor exercises such as walking and swimming are excellent methods of building up general health.
- Yogic kriyas like jalneti and vamandhouti and asanas such as sarvangasana,viparit karani, halasana, gomukhasana are also useful. Sarvangasana is especially beneficial as it drains stagnant blood from the anus.
- Exercise for Healing: One of the most helpful techniques for healing hemorrhoids is Kegel exercises. Simply tighten and relax the anal sphincter. This helps to strengthen and tone the area rather than it becoming flaccid and giving out as time passes. Sets of 21 flexes 3 times a day is a good goal. Yoga postures such as the fish, plough, and shoulder stand are also helpful as a hemorrhoid preventative as well as for treatment.
- A couple of times a day, find a comfortable couch, stretch out, and put your legs up. What’s good for your frayed nerves is also good for your hemorrhoids. In this supine posture, you take the weight off your over stressed anal area. At the same time, you improve circulation to the roundabout that needs it. It’s ideal if you can get 30 minute breaks for this assignment.
Lifestyle Changes
- A patient with piles must make an all out effort to tone up the entire system. Exercise plays an important corrective role in this condition. Movements which exercise the abdominal muscles will improve circulation in the rectal region and relieve congestion.
- Prolonged periods of standing or sitting, strenuous work, obesity and general weakness of the tissues of the body are the other contributory causes of piles.
- A dab of petroleum jelly on hemorrhoids can protect them from irritation. It’s an ingredient in many commercially prepared hemorrhoid treatments.
- Crush the ice cubes, put in a sealable plastic bag, and seal. Wrap the bag in a clean washcloth. Lie in a comfortable position and apply to the anal area for 15 minutes. Apply in the morning and again at night.
- Special foam rubber pillows known as a “doughnuts” are helpful when you need to sit. They have a hole in the middle so there is less pressure on the hemorrhoids.
- Heavy lifting puts pressure on the anal area. If there’s a couch or dresser that needs lifting, claim a bad back and ask for volunteers.
- If you usually lift weights when you work out, make sure you skip the squat thrusts. Every time you crouch down, then lift up again, you put direct pressure on your rectum. Also avoid any exercise that involves sitting for long periods, such as cycling on a stationary bicycle.
- An overgrowth of candidiasis is an often overlooked aggravator of hemorrhoids. Consume soured food like unsweetened live yogurt, kefir, and sauerkraut to increase the numbers of friendly bacteria that inhibit this fungal growth. These products will also help you absorb vitamin K.
FAQs.
Q. Do piles go away naturally?
Piles, or hemorrhoids, do not usually go away on their own. However, depending on their severity, they can be treated with home remedies or medical treatments. Dietary and lifestyle changes can also help reduce the symptoms of piles.
Q. Do piles run in families?
Yes, the tendency to develop piles can run in families. Genetics and lifestyle factors can contribute to an individual’s risk for developing piles.
Q. How long will piles last?
The duration of piles, or hemorrhoids, depends on the type and severity of the condition. Mild cases may resolve within a few days, whereas more severe cases may take several weeks to a month or more to resolve.
Q. Can hemorrhoids cause infertility?
No, hemorrhoids are not known to cause infertility.
Q. What is considered a large hemorrhoid?
A large hemorrhoid is typically defined as one that is over one centimeter in size. In some cases, a hemorrhoid may be considered large if it is causing significant pain, discomfort, or other symptoms.
Q. What is the best remedy for piles?
The best remedy for piles depends on the severity of the condition. Generally speaking, healthcare providers recommend lifestyle changes to reduce pressure on the veins in the rectal area, such as eating a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of fluids, and avoiding long periods of standing or sitting. Over-the-counter topical creams may also provide relief. In more serious cases, medications and surgery may be needed. It is important to consult with a doctor to determine the best treatment plan for your individual situation.
Q. How can piles be cured without operation?
You can try a range of treatments to cure piles without surgery, including:
- Eating a high-fiber diet
- Taking stool softeners
- Taking oral medications, such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen, to reduce swelling and pain
- Doing regular exercise and stretching
- Applying cold compresses or ice packs to the area to reduce inflammation
- Taking warm baths
- Avoiding sitting for long periods of time
- Applying over-the-counter creams, ointments, or suppositories to the area
- Using a special device to hold the hemorrhoids in place
- Wearing loose-fitting, breathable clothing
Q. What is the best Ayurvedic treatment for piles?
The best Ayurvedic treatment for piles is to maintain a healthy diet and lifestyle, including regular exercise, adequate sleep, and a diet high in fiber and low in processed foods. Herbal remedies such as Triphala, Amalaki, and Guggul can be taken to provide relief from symptoms. Additionally, treatments such as Basti and Virechana can be used to help clear out toxins from the body, providing further relief.
Q. How do piles start?
Piles, or hemorrhoids, are caused by increased pressure in the veins of the rectum and anus. This can be due to straining during bowel movements, obesity, pregnancy, or prolonged sitting.
Q. Which 10 foods are beneficial for a patient with piles?
- Kale
- Apples
- Broccoli
- Spinach
- Blueberries
- Brussels Sprouts
- Oats
- Citrus fruits
- Flaxseeds
- Yogurt
Q. Can yoga cure piles and fistula permanently?
No, yoga alone cannot cure piles and fistula permanently. Yoga can help to reduce the symptoms of piles and fistula, but it cannot cure them completely. It is important to speak to a doctor to determine the best course of treatment for your specific condition.
Q. What are pregnancy Hemorrhoids?
Pregnancy hemorrhoids are a type of hemorrhoid that occurs during pregnancy due to increased pressure on the pelvic region. They are caused by the increased pressure of the uterus on the rectum and the veins in the lower rectum. Symptoms of pregnancy hemorrhoids include itching, burning, and pain. Treatment typically involves over-the-counter medications, increased fiber intake, and sitz baths.
Q. Can hemorrhoids cause constipation or make it worse?
Yes, hemorrhoids can cause constipation or make it worse. Hemorrhoids can cause difficulty with bowel movements, which can lead to constipation. This can be due to the irritation of the hemorrhoids which can cause pain and itching in the anal area. The pain can cause a person to strain during bowel movements, which can lead to constipation. In addition, hemorrhoids can cause inflammation which can lead to narrowing of the anal canal, making it harder for stools to pass.