Everything about Hemorrhoids! (PILES)

Heredity, sedentary habit, bad eating habits, etc are some of the risk factors for hemorrhoids. Early intervention with milder therapies like homeopathy is possible, so that the surgery can be avoided.

The enlarged veins at the lower end of rectum and anus are termed as hemorrhoids. Enhanced pressure within the rectum and anus is the prime reason for protrusion of hemorrhoids and even per rectal bleeding. The incidence of hemorrhoids is increasing day by day, thanks to our modern lifestyles and irregular and junk eating habits. The initial signs of the hemorrhoids should be recognized so that the disease can be brought under control at an early stage with mild medicinal treatments like homeopathy and thus surgery can be averted.

Hemorrhoids- Causes, Symptomatology, and Homeopathic Treatment

Hemorrhoids called ‘piles’ in layman’s terminology are one of the growing problems faced mainly by the people of middle and old age. The two types ‘internal’ and ‘external’ hemorrhoids can be differentiated. The external variety is located under the skin that surrounds the anus. With the bowel movement, these hemorrhoids may swell, be felt, and cause pain and/or bleeding. The internal hemorrhoids however located in the inner lining of the rectum and cannot be felt. These are usually painless and can lead to bleeding per rectum with or without protrusion.

Causes of Hemorrhoids-

Though the genetic disposition is the prime factor; certain risk factors (mostly modifiable) have been identified for development, aggravation, and chronicity of hemorrhoids.

The major factor that contributes to hemorrhoids is excessive straining at stool. However, certain causative factors and/or risk factors have been described as below-

• Heredity- Our genetic make up is one of the major factors for development and aggravation of hemorrhoids. There has been found familial weakness of blood vessel wall. Large supply of arterial blood to hemorrhoidal plexus is also found in certain families.
• Pregnancy- Post-partum and/or pregnancy hemorrhoids are found in many women owing to increased tension in rectal wall due to excessive straining during child birth and expansion of uterus during pregnancy respectively.
• Untreated conditions- Certain conditions like colitis, diarrheas, dysenteries, etc can be the pre-disposing factors for hemorrhoids if left untreated for long.
• Chronic constipation- Chronic constipation has myriad of causes ranging from unhealthy eating habits to sedentary work-style. But it is by far the commonest cause of hemorrhoids.
• Sedentary habits- People working in sitting postures for long time have higher risk of developing hemorrhoids. Lack of physical activity or exercise is one of the chief pre-disposing factors.
• Some serious illnesses- Systemic or portal hypertension, inferior vena-caval congestion, rectal cancer, cardiac or pulmonary diseases, etc also may lead to hemorrhoids.

Signs, Symptoms, and Complications of Hemorrhoids-

1. If the internal hemorrhoid is prolapsed, one can feel it as a lump outside the anus. Many times, it can also be gently pushed inside the anus. But if not, it can lead to enlargement and swelling of internal hemorrhoid too. Entrapment of hemorrhoid may require immediate intervention.
2. There can be pruritus ani (itching at the anus) and tingling sensation
3. Increased desire to have repeated bowel movement is also observed in many patients
4. Thrombosed external hemorrhoid may lead to severe pain that gets aggravated with every bowel movement and prolonged sitting
5. Bleeding per rectum is one of the commonest symptoms detected first by the patient
6. Mucus discharge may accompany prolapsed hemorrhoids.
7. Complications like strangulation of piles, profuse hemorrhage, thrombosis, ulceration, and rarely gangrene may occur if hemorrhoids are left untreated for long.

Treatment of Hemorrhoids-

Most cases of hemorrhoids have good prognosis, especially if treated in time. One can diagnose hemorrhoids on clinical findings alone. However, if the hemorrhoids are associated with one or more symptoms like pain in abdomen, strangulation, excessive hemorrhage, etc, some other investigations like sigmoidoscopy, rectoscopy, or colonoscopy may be required to rule out other potential dangers.

Conventional hemorrhoid treatment comprises of stool softeners, surgery for prolapsed internal hemorrhoid, rubber-band ligation, sclerotherapy, laser therapy and/or hemorrhoidectomy. Even conventionally, medicinal treatment is commenced first and later interventional therapies are sought after if the medicinal therapies fail to achieve desired results.

Homeopathic Treatment of Hemorrhoids-

Many times, homeopathic medicines are aptly said to replace the surgeon’s knife. The homeopathic medicines work on the principle of “like cures like” and many different medicinal substances are used in varied potencies to help cure hemorrhoids (or any other disease for that matter). Homeopathy is a holistic medicine that is based on “Individualistic Approach” to any case.

As per this approach, any disease including hemorrhoids is treated individually after carefully considering the physical, mental, and emotional symptomatology of the person. Certain miasmatic dispositions are described in homeopathy and every individual has predominance of some miasm. They can also be called as pre-dispositions or susceptibilities of an individual suffering from certain disease traits. With aptly chosen constitutional homeopathic medicines, these traits can be modified positively to obtain cure from the existing problem and an overall health is achieved.

Also homeopathic medicines are extremely useful for acute symptoms of hemorrhoids. The pain, inflammation, itching, bleeding per rectum, etc can be effectively tackled with accurate simillimum chosen homeopathically.

The homeopathic medicines like Aloe soc, Collinsonia, Hamamelis, Muriatic acid, Thuja, Aesculus, Ratanhia, Nux vomica, Kali carb, Ammonium carb, Kali carb, Phosphorus, etc work marvelously when indicated homeopathically in a particular case of hemorrhoids. However, one must not treat himself on the basis of cursory knowledge of homeopathy. Expert homeopathic intervention is must, as deriving the constitutional prescription is more of an art that needs to be mastered and without the constitutional approach, it is hard to find perfect cure from hemorrhoids.

Prevention of Hemorrhoids-

The modifiable factors or risk factors of hemorrhoid can be prevented by following these things—

1. Increase the water intake. One must drink at least 10 glasses of water per day that helps keep our stools soft and improve bowel activity
2. Increase dietary fiber and it will add roughage to your food. It certainly enhances regular bowel movements
3. Avoid junk food devoid of fiber that just adds empty calories. This kind of food also adds extra pounds leading to obesity, which is another pre-disposing factors for hemorrhoids
4. Boost up your physical activity level. Especially the people with sedentary working habits have to get moving, as lack of physical movement is one of the chief factors contributing to increased incidence of hemorrhoids these days. Exercise also helps to get rid of hemorrhoids faster by reducing the tendency to constipation and pressure on hemorrhoidal veins. So keep active to prevent piles.
5. Also one should not suppress the urge for stools for long time. This step helps a great deal in hemorrhoid prevention.

Hemorrhoid and Homeopathy FAQ –

1. Can homeopathic medicines cure hemorrhoids completely?

Ans- Yes, the aptly selected homeopathic medicines can help one get rid of hemorrhoids completely. However, the treatment must be sought from an expert and one should not try to self-medicate.

2. How long homeopathic treatment should be taken for hemorrhoids?

Ans- The duration of treatment depends upon the stage of hemorrhoids and the existing signs and symptoms. Also it varies from person to person depending upon his level of remedy-compliance. However, tentatively, one should follow the homeopathic regime at least for 2 consecutive months to be able to find relief from the existing symptoms. Follow-up later with the homeopathic expert is important too.

3. Can homeopathy deal with complications of hemorrhoids like gangrene, ulceration, etc?

Ans- Treating the complications of hemorrhoids is certainly an expert’s domain. However, one must make sure to undergo all the depicted investigations and follow all the guidelines laid by the expert homeopathic physician. In emergencies like strangulation and gangrene however, one should weight the pros and cons of medicinal treatment and the expert will decide whether surgery will be needed.

4. Can one take homeopathic and conventional medicines for hemorrhoids simultaneously?

Ans- Usually this is not recommended by the homeopaths. It is better to follow a single regimen in any given case. However, if the person is already on some other regimen, homeopathic expert usually consults the concerned physician and later decides the path of course, whether to stop the earlier medication or taper the dose slowly.