They are an annoying and painful affliction suffered by about half of the population by age fifty. They itch, make it painful to sit, and oftentimes bleed. Though rarely deadly, some cases have been reported wherein the patient bled profusely and died. In this article, we »»]]> They are an annoying and painful affliction suffered by about half of the population by age fifty. They itch, make it painful to sit, and oftentimes bleed. Though rarely deadly, some cases have been reported wherein the patient bled profusely and died. In this article, we will discuss the different causes and cure for hemorrhoids.

By definition, these nuisances are small masses of swollen veins near the anal sphincter. They are brought on by undo pressure to the anal region, such as pregnancy, chronic constipation, or pushing too hard for too long while defecating. About fifty percent of men and women have them, but oftentimes they remain inside the body (though they do still bleed somewhat). When they protrude out of the anus, however, they become irritated and can bleed more steadily. In some severe cases, this requires surgery, but there are several ways to treat them so as to avoid those cases.

Eating a healthy diet that includes fiber will produce looser bowels, which means there will be less strain on the anus when it comes time to defecate. Exercise will also help, as it facilitates blood flow to the digestive tract, making the passing of stool much easier. Avoidance of too much strain while defecating will also relieve many of these aforementioned symptoms. Remember: A good diet means softer stool, which causes less strain on the anus. It also means an all-around better lifestyle.

Another method to control the affliction is the Sitz bath, wherein the patient takes a warm, ten-minute bath several times a day. During the bath, the patient will splash water through the anal/rectal area to flush any harmful microorganisms and to sooth the swollen veins engorged with blood. If this is done systematically, pain can drop significantly.

Finally, if they are not too debilitating, a simple suppository or cream can be a greatly soothing. These are manually applied to the anus and the surrounding area. They can be found at any local pharmacy, but some homeopathic creams can be made at home if ingredients can be found. These include Aloe Vera (to soothe the itching), Witch Hazel, and Butchers Broom (a shrub). It is recommended that a person with this irritating affliction see a doctor before making a home remedy.

Ultimately, if your situation causes acute pain, a doctor’s help should be sought. In many cases, surgery is the only option left, as the pain becomes too intense. In these scenarios, the surgeon has a variety of methods at his or her disposal, including freezing the affliction, tying it off, or even using laser surgery.

But the above tried-and-true methods will help reduce the pain. In some cases, the problem may disappear entirely. But if no treatment occurs, symptoms could escalate dramatically. A person with any anal bleeding should see their doctor about a cure for hemorrhoids.