7 Tips to Relieve Hemorrhoids from Home

Here are some remedies to take into consideration when constructing a home treatment regimen:

1. Eat foods that are high in dietary fiber, such as wheat bran, fresh fruits, and nearly all vegetables. Apples, beets, brazil nuts, broccoli, foods in the cabbage family, carrots, green beans, guar gum, oat bran, lima beans, pears, peas, psyllium seed, and whole grains are recommended. A high-fiber diet is probably the most important consideration in the treatment and prevention of hemorrhoids.
2. Drink plenty of liquids, especially water. Water is the best, most natural stool softener in existence. It also helps prevent constipation.
3. Reduce intake of coffee, alcohol, and hot spices. Red meat and high-protein diets are especially hard on the lower digestive tract.
4. Use supplements such as Avatrol and fiber supplements. If you decide to incorporate a fiber supplement, start with a moderate amount and increase your intake gradually. If you take to much at first, this will cause painful bloating, gas, and possibly diarrhea.
    
   • Note: Always take supplemental fiber separately from other supplements and medications.
5. Use cayenne (capsicum) and garlic enemas to keep the bowels clean. A plain warm water enema is fast acting and relieves discomfort in most cases.
6. Get regular moderate exercise.
7. Avoid strong or harsh laxatives. Most of these products induce unnecessary straining at the bowel movements and often "overdo" their jobs by creating a condition similar to diarrhea. Also, using chemical laxatives does not provide the healthful benefits that natural substances provide. Laxative products can also cause the bowels to become dependent upon them for normal functioning, much like an addiction. Instead of chemical preparations, use a stool softener such as aloe vera or prune juice if constipation or defecation are a problem.

Read about other natural hemorrhoid treatments if the ones listed above are not suited for you.

If home treatment brings no relief, consult your health care provider, especially if the problem is recurrent and bleeding persists for more than three days. Although the amount of blood loss might seem insignificant, even a slow loss of blood will eventually result in anemia and its associated problems.

In addition, persistent rectal bleeding can lead to infections and even a compromised immune system. If the blood is dark red, it can indicate a more serious problem such as an abscess, an anal fissure, a fistula, or cancer.

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