If you suffer from hemorrhoid, which is also commonly referred to as piles, you must first understand that you are not alone. You will be interested to know that hemorrhoid is not a rare disease, as a large number of people in the US and over the world are affected by this. It is believed that one in four Americans suffer from hemorrhoid, while pregnant women and old people are more likely to be the victim. However, the good news is that it is easily preventable and if you already suffer from it, there are natural hemorrhoid treatments you can try, before seeing the doctor.

What is hemorrhoid?
Let’s begin with knowing exactly what a hemorrhoid is. A hemorrhoid is like varicose veins, which are nothing but enlarged veins in your legs and feet. The only difference here is that instead of affecting your legs or feet, it affects your lower rectum or anus. These enlarged and swollen veins may not necessarily be painful, but they are itchy and are always bleeding, thereby disrupting your daily routine. Now, you need to understand that there are two types of hemorrhoids—internal hemorrhoid and external hemorrhoid.

An internal hemorrhoid is when the swollen vein is inside the lower rectum, that is, the area at the end of the large intestine, just before the anus. They are usually painless, but they cause bleeding.

External hemorrhoid, however, is more common than the internal. Here, the anus, which is the area from where feces are discarded from our body, is affected. Around the anus, swollen veins are formed, which cause extreme discomfort.

What causes hemorrhoid?
We already know that swollen and enlarged veins in the rectum and anus cause hemorrhoid. However, what causes the veins to swell and bulge? Pregnancy is one reason which causes the veins to swell. This is because when the uterus expands during pregnancy, it puts pressure on the veins of the large intestine. Moreover, when you get older, the tissues of the rectum and anus weaken, which cause the veins to swell. Other causes are spending a lot of time on the toilet seat, chronic constipation, obesity and poor low-fiber diet.
With some natural hemorrhoid treatments and lifestyle changes, hemorrhoid can be easily tackled.

What are the best natural hemorrhoid treatments?

Following a high-fiber diet
One of the best natural hemorrhoid treatment is to have a fiber-rich diet. Doctors say that a daily intake of about 20 to 30 grams of fiber can help prevent hemorrhoid. Fiber helps to soften your stool and leads to a smooth passage of stools. Researchers say that, in America, an individual is most likely to only have 15 grams of fiber every day. Therefore, you can start including fiber-rich food such as all kinds of beans, broccoli, whole grain meals, nuts, and dried fruits. Moreover, don’t forget to drink plenty of water, as this will ensure that your body discharges the stools without any obstacle.

Fiber supplements
If you feel that a high-fiber diet isn’t enough in your case, you can also consult your nutritionist and start supplements to increase your fiber intake. Two popularly used fiber supplements that you can buy from the drugstore are psyllium and methylcellulose. These help to soften your stool and avoid constipation. However, it is highly recommended to first see a doctor and discuss the use of these supplements, as it gives different results for different individuals.

Sitz bath
A sitz bath is another natural hemorrhoid treatment, which has worked for many. It is nothing but warm, shallow bath made using chemicals that are antibacterial, salt, and essential oils (optional). Sitz bath ensures that the perineum, which is the area between the anus and scrotum is properly cleansed, and it helps you stay clear of itching in the genital areas. You can buy all the ingredients you will need to set up the sitz bath from a drugstore and then set it up in your bathtub, or you can buy the ready to use plastic kit of sitz bath, which easily fits into your toilet seat.

Apply ointment and gels
Ointments, creams, and gels, which contain hydrocortisone, also act as natural hemorrhoid treatments. Make sure that you only apply a thin coat of these creams to the affected region around the anus.

Use moist towelettes
Along with avoiding using soaps around the genital area, you should also try not using dry and rough toilet papers. This is because they are harsh for the sensitive skin around your anus region. Instead, use a moist towelette after you use the loo.

Ice it up
Ice is another readily available item which serves as a natural hemorrhoid treatment. It gives you temporary relief from the pain. Along with numbing the pain, it also helps in reducing the swelling of veins.

If the above natural hemorrhoid treatments don’t seem to work for you, ensure to see your doctor immediately and get proper treatment.