When the veins around your anus start to stretch under pressure they become swollen. These swollen veins are known as hemorrhoids and appear due to increased pressure in the lower rectum. Increased pressure appears as a result of:
- Straining during bowel movements
- Anal intercourse
- Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
- Pregnancy
- Low-fiber diet
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Obesity
- Anal intercourse
Hemorrhoids appear more often in elderly people as the tissue around the anus and rectum weakens and stretches with aging.
Recognizing the Symptoms of External Hemorrhoids
Various symptoms can appear if you suffer from hemorrhoids. Symptoms differ and are related to the severity of hemorrhoids. Some of the symptoms are:
- lumps near or around the anus
- blood in the stool
- pain around the anus
- itching around the anus or rectal area
Bleeding can appear when you are using the bathroom. You can notice blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet. But still bleeding can also occur due to other medical conditions and that is why you should consult your doctor. After you are diagnosed with hemorrhoids then you may want to try these natural home remedies.
Here are 5 home remedies for hemorrhoids.
- Ice
Try using ice as it will constrict the blood vessels, reduce swelling and alleviate your pain instantly. You just need to put and icepack or partially melted piece of ice wrapped in a cloth directly on the hemorrhoids and keep the cloth for 10 minutes. Repeat the treatment for several times a day until the hemorrhoids retreat. If you don’t have ice at the moment you can use small package of frozen vegetables as corn or peas. Wrap the package in some clean cloth and put it on the hemorrhoids. Keep it for 20 minutes, 3 times a day.
- Aloe Vera
Aloe Vera is one of the best options for treating hemorrhoids. It has therapeutic and anti-inflammatory properties which reduce the irritation of hemorrhoids. Aloe Vera is effective against external and internal hemorrhoids.
If you have external hemorrhoids just apply the Aloe Vera gel on your anus and massage the area gently. The pain and the burning sensation will be gone soon.
For treating internal hemorrhoids you will need Aloe Vera leaves which should be cut into strips. But first you must remove the thorn-like parts of the plant. Put the leaves in a container and then freeze them. You can use the icy cold Aloe Vera strips after they are frozen. Put the icy cold aloe Vera strip on the hemorrhoid and you will get rid of pain, itching and burning sensation.
- Lemon Juice
Lemon juice is also very effective against hemorrhoids as it contains a lot of nutrients which help in strengthening the capillaries and blood vessel walls.
Soak a cotton ball in lemon juice and put it on the hemorrhoid. You may feel some burning sensation and mild tingling but soon the pain will be gone.
You can also squeeze half a lemon into a cup of hot milk and drink it. Drink this beverage on every three hours for positive results.
Prepare a mixture from one-half teaspoon each of lemon juice, ginger juice, mint juice and honey. Consume it once a day.
- Almond Oil
Almond oil is used for external hemorrhoids as it has soothing and absorbing properties. Soak a cotton ball in pure almond oil and put it on the painful area. It moisturizes and reduces inflammation, and it will also reduce the itching and burning sensation around and in the anus. Repeat the treatment several times a day.
- Olive Oil
Olive oil has antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties and is used mostly against external hemorrhoids. It will make the blood vessels more elastic which helps in reducing inflammation. It also shrinks the size of swollen blood vessels in the anal canal.
You can consume one teaspoon of olive oil every day as it will reduce inflammation and monounsaturated fats will improve the function of the excretory system.
Obtain some juice from plum leaves and mix it with olive oil. Put the mixture on the hemorrhoids. The pain and swelling will disappear soon.
Sources:
- http://www.top10homeremedies.com/home-remedies/home-remedies-hemorrhoids-piles.html
- http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/basics/causes/con-20029852
- http://www.healthline.com/health/external-hemorrhoids#Symptoms2
