Frequently Asked Questions About Hemorrhoids

Having a hemorrhoid is beyond our control. Most men and women when they reach the age of 50 suffer from hemorrhoids. Yes you can prevent it but in your everyday lives, you may not be aware that some of your common actions do contribute in developing hemorrhoids. And because it can be embarrassing, most people suffer the pain caused by hemorrhoids in silence.

• How can you tell that you have a hemorrhoid?

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins found in the lower rectum and in your anus. There is bleeding during a bowel movement. You will be feeling the pain and discomfort because of the swollen veins and you may feel itchy. Hemorrhoids are also called piles.

• Will hemorrhoids just disappear or heal on their own?

For most cases, the answer is NO. Some people develop hemorrhoids because of their nature of work. So the situation might only get worse if you don't seek any medical treatment. The rectum can be a sensitive part of the body and if you get a hemorrhoid, it will badly affect your daily activities. Hemorrhoids if not taken care of immediately can only get worse like getting a hard time during bowel movement.

• What is the effective way of treating hemorrhoids?

This depends on the degree of your hemorrhoid. In some cases, a surgery is required to get rid of hemorrhoids. For early stages, natural treatments using common practices like the sitz bath, using herbal medicines and using oils can be effective and can be applied at home. These kinds of hemorrhoid treatments cure the swelling veins and ease the pain and eventually eliminate the hemorrhoids. You can also use creams available in the drugstore. But if your hemorrhoids get to a certain degree in which you can't bear the pain anymore and are not healing using other treatments, it is better to consult your doctor to determine which treatment can eliminate your hemorrhoids.

• How not to get a hemorrhoid?

Common factor that contributes to the development of hemorrhoids is the way you live your life. First, your eating habits can be one. What you eat affects your bowel movement. Second, do your daily activities involve lifting heavy objects? Standing or sitting for a long period of time? These too can cause pressure to the anal area leading to hemorrhoids. Third, do you practice a clean living and a good hygiene?

• How long do hemorrhoids last?

That depends on the person who suffers a hemorrhoid. The frequency and quality of treatment greatly affects the healing process. Then if you try to avoid those things that can cause hemorrhoids then it will just disappear fast.

So if you are experiencing any symptoms that is mentioned here, it is better to seek a hemorrhoid treatment right away.

Horse Chestnut for Treating Hemorrhoids

(image from Beauty Snob)

When over the counter ointments don't work on your hemorrhoids, try relieving the pain that you are feeling using horse chestnuts. Yes, horse chestnuts are known to have ingredients that can cure hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids like varicose veins, the veins are seen as bulging or swelling. Most likely the blood cannot pass through the veins causing it to swell.

Horse chestnuts are widely popular in Europe and many people resort to this herbal remedy in treating hemorrhoids. How horse chestnuts can help cure hemorrhoids? According to study, horse chestnuts have flavonoids and saphonins, the effective substances that makes it a potent remedy for hemorrhoids. These two substances help the blood flow go smoothly thus relieving the inflammation. It also helps strengthen the blood vessel walls.

For relief of hemorrhoids, you can take the horse chestnut seed extract internally in tincture or capsule form. Some experts would also recommend using the horse chestnut extracts during sitz bath.

However using horse chestnut as a cure does not apply for everyone. Other people may have an allergic reaction to horse chestnut so they can't use it as a cure for hemorrhoids. Also if you have bleeding disorder or if you are taking blood thinners, you should not take a horse chestnut.

You have also to take note that other parts of the plant is poisonous so you have to be careful to take only the or the products that are made from the seeds or bark of the young branches. But for hemorrhoid treatment, horse chestnuts are one of the effective herbal cures.