Hemorrhoids by Ray Sahelian, M.D. Natural treatment for internal and external hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are a very common problem caused by enlarged and swollen veins in the anus or rectum. Hemorrhoids appear when blood vessels of the hemorrhoidal plexus, which is found in the lower rectum, become enlarged. The condition has become more widespread recently as people spend more time seated at work and generally follow a less active and healthy lifestyle. About 10 million Americans suffer from hemorrhoids.

Cause of hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are often caused by straining during bowel movements, especially with constipation. Pregnancy, lack of exercise, immobility, age, certain medical conditions, and medications are among other causes of constipation and hemorrhoids.

Natural treatment for hemorrhoids
You can reduce your chances of getting hemorrhoids by eating more fiber, drinking plenty of water, and exercise. If you are constipated, try prunes. Consider the following natural supplements. Psyllium is a great fiber that can soften stools and ease symptoms of hemorrhoids. Another option is a natural supplement called Daflon which has a flavonoid called diosmin.

Hemorrhoid symptom
Hemorrhoids typically cause pain, itching, and sometimes bleeding. External hemorrhoids often cause symptoms of pain and itching when irritated. Internal hemorrhoids are usually painless but can cause bleeding. Hemorrhoids can cause bright red rectal bleeding, but bleeding can be caused by other conditions, not just hemorrhoids. Colon and rectal cancer can also cause rectal bleeding.
   Other hemorrhoid symptoms include mucus drainage. A blood clot that forms within a hemorrhoid, called a thrombosed hemorrhoid. This can be very painful.

Traditional Hemorrhoid treatment
Hemorrhoids can usually be treated with topical medications. In severe cases, such as those that bleed and protrude outside of the anus, hemorrhoid surgery is required.

Hemorrhoid Surgery
While stapled hemorrhoidopexy may be less painful and easier to recover from than excisional surgery -- the "gold standard" treatment for severe hemorrhoids -- the newer operation carries higher long-term risks of hemorrhoid recurrence and prolapse. Proponents of staple hemorrhoidopexy argue it provides similar results to the open procedure with less pain, less disability and more rapid return to work. The decreased pain and disability may entail increased risk of recurrence.

Additional links
Cissus quadrangularis, a medicinal plant indigenous to Asia and Africa, is used for many ailments, especially for the treatment of hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoid questions
Q. What do you recommend for internal hemorroids? What about external hemorroids?
   A. Psyllium is a fiber that can be very helpful.

Q. I have noticed that hemorroids tend to bleed after eating cocoa (and after drinking red wine) ... Is that a good thing ... or not? I read this on a web page, "Eating dark chocolate, or taking a cocoa supplement, which have plenty of flavonoids, improves healthy blood flow. Chocolate improves the function of blood vessels, allowing them to dilate, thereby preventing the formation of potentially damaging clots."
   A. Cacao, cocoa, red wine, have blood thinning potential. As to whether bleeding hemorroids is a good thing or not has to be evaluated on a case by case basis.