Alternatives to Laxatives, Constipation in Children, Constipation Relief for Adults

Natural Remedies for Hemorrhoids Brought on by Constipation

There are natural remedies for hemorrhoids brought on by constipation.  Chronic constipation is often a cause of hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids are a very common medical problem affecting men, women and even children who have been struggling with chronic constipation.  There are safe and effective home remedies you can do to heal them and to prevent new ones from forming including Sitz baths, hemorrhoid treatment creams or sprays, herbs, and Witch Hazel.

Who is at risk for Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are usually worse with age and seem to have a great impact on people between the ages of 45 and 65. Hemorrhoids are very common during pregnancy.  Generally, the hemorrhoids associated with pregnancy are only temporary.  Anyone who struggles with chronic constipation is at risk of developing hemorrhoids.

I had them during my first pregnancy and my son had them when he was still struggling with constipation. We both used natural remedies for hemorrhoids to heal them.

It is estimated that over 80% of Americans will have some dealing with hemorrhoids in their lifetime. Over half a million people seek medical help for hemorrhoids annually in the United States, and of that half million at least ten percent undergo surgical procedures for relief of their hemorrhoids.

What Causes Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are caused when the veins around the anus and lower rectum become swollen and inflamed. This inflammation can occur from a variety of reasons but often it is caused by straining when trying to have a bowel movement or sitting for extended periods of time on the toilet.

The intestines can hold anywhere between 6-40 lbs of fecal matter in the average adult. People who experience regular bowel movements (at least once daily), typically have a lot less stool in their system.  The colon, the last major part of the digestive system, actually draws a lot of water out of the stool before it reaches the rectum. If the stool spends too much time in the colon, then too much water is drawn out of the stool, and this is when you experience a hard bowel movement that requires straining and pushing….resulting in hemorrhoids.

Many things are associated with hemorrhoids like ulcers, Crohn’s disease, and pregnancy.  When the vascular cushions become enlarged, inflamed, or protruding when they are called hemorrhoids.

Poor diet, prolonged sitting on a toilet, aging, pregnancy, straining and constipation can all cause hemorrhoids.

Internal vs External Hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids generally do not cause pain, but external can cause discomfort, pain, and bleeding. Protruding hemorrhoids can be itchy and bleed.  Internal hemorrhoids will cause discomfort and will make a person feel pressure around the abdomen and anus. Generally, internal hemorrhoids, which appear higher up in the anus are not painful, but they cause bleeding. It’s when an internal hemorrhoid prolapses, or drops outside of the anus and becomes what is known as an external hemorrhoid that it becomes painful and problematic.

The pain you may feel from internal hemorrhoids is usually caused by a spasm in the sphincter. Internal hemorrhoids are mostly painless but can cause bleeding with bowel movements. When the hemorrhoid puts pressure on the veins, they tend to break and blood will appear. Internal hemorrhoids can also produce mucus that will keep the area moist and cause the anus to itch, although this is not common.

Some prolapsed hemorrhoids will only bulge out with a bowel movement and will spontaneously go back into the rectum. Some hemorrhoids prolapse with a bowel movement and can be pushed back inside the rectum. A prolapsed hemorrhoid that cannot be pushed back into the rectum may require surgery. These severe hemorrhoids may also prolapse with coughing and sneezing. They may also have a chronic mucus type discharge.

Does My Hemorrhoid Need Treatment?

Most hemorrhoids only need to be treated if they cause any discomfort or pain. Minor hemorrhoids (internal or external) will not be painful and may go away without treatment of any kind.  They will heal, but the hemorrhoid may cause some scarring, depending on how serious your condition is.

A more serious hemorrhoid may bleed and you may notice blood in the toilet bowl, on the feces, on the toilet paper or on your undergarment.

For external hemorrhoids, you may have an extra deposit of skin that will be permanent. You may need to consult your doctor if your hemorrhoids seem to be enlarged or blood is located in your stool.

External hemorrhoids, if they are large, however, can be very painful when attempting to clean the anal area after a bowel movement, they are also subject to blood clots. If a blood clot forms a painful lump may develop and the skin around the anal area will become red. This is not a life-threatening situation but it does call for medical intervention.

Do You Have A Hemorrhoid Or An Anal Fissure?

Hemorrhoids and anal fissures are both very painful conditions. Some people who have anal fissures think their pain is caused by hemorrhoids and some who have hemorrhoids mistakenly think they suffer from an anal fissure.

An anal fissure is, simply stated, a small tear or cut in the lining of the anus. Anal fissures are generally caused by straining while on the toilet or by constipation. Sometimes fissures are related to severe bouts of diarrhea. Fissures can be quite painful, especially during a bowel movement when the fissure is stretched. There will be red blood streaking the stool if you have a fissure.

Treatment Options For Hemorrhoids to Reduce Pain and Heal

The majority of hemorrhoid suffers can be treated without any type of surgery, using natural remedies for hemorrhoids. The first thing to do is to relieve the symptoms. Sitz baths are recommended. Sit in the bath, with a few inches of warm water fifteen minutes two to three times a day. Add an organic Sitz Bath Soak or Organic Epsom Salt (Click Amazon Affiliate Links to be taken to products on Amazon for the current prices) to the water for optimal relief and healing.

Internal Hemorrhoid Treatments

If an internal hemorrhoid becomes large enough it will protrude through the anal opening. Often it can be pushed back inside if it does not go back inside by itself. These protruding internal hemorrhoids quickly become irritated and painful if they are allowed to remain outside. If it cannot be pushed back inside, a visit to the doctor is necessary.

External Hemorrhoid Treatments

If you have an external hemorrhoid, perfumed soap or toilet paper may irritate it. Use a pre-moistened towelette or an organic hemorrhoid wipe to clean your rectum and also reduce the pain and discomfort plus the ingredients can help protect and heal the hemorrhoid. An ice pack can also help to reduce swelling.

Instead of wiping the area with toilet paper, use pads that are pre-moistened with witch hazel, or cotton balls soaked in witch hazel instead. Make sure the area is dry. Avoid sitting or standing for long periods of time. If the steps above don’t help relieve the symptoms, you can try the application of an over-the-counter hemorrhoidal cream to the area which will also help relieve itching and burning.  I recommend one like Dr. Butler’s Hemorrhoid and Fissure Ointment or Organic H Salve instead of something like Preparation H which is petroleum based.  I avoid petroleum-based products, especially when it is going to be applied on the delicate tissues of your rectum.

I’m also a fan of Dr. Angela’s Hen Ease spray.  It contains Coconut Oil, Aloe Vera, Hemp Seed Oil, Witch Hazel, Apple Cider Vinegar, and 100% Pure Therapeutic Grade Essential Oils: Cannabis, Lavender, Turmeric, Tea Tree, and Cypress.  You can spray it on external hemorrhoids to soothe and heal them. These are wonderfully healing ingredients and it is a very soothing spray.

Aside from these measures, many medical professionals suggest that you increase the fiber in your diet to help to avoid constipation.  For more information on fiber and constipation, please read my article Will Fiber help my Constipation? or Will Fiber help my Constipated Child? to determine if fiber might be helpful to you or not.   Increasing your fluid intake can help make a softer stool but in some people with chronic constipation, adding fiber, especially fiber supplements can actually worsen constipation.

How to Treat Constipation That Is Causing Hemorrhoids

Avoiding constipation by regular visits to the toilet is usually a big help in healing your hemorrhoids. Not only will having soft stools, help relieve the discomfort associated with hemorrhoids, but it will also put less strain on the affected areas, allowing the body to repair some of the damage.

Drink plenty of water to help keep your stools soft. Some take Magnesium to soften the stool.

One way to train your body to empty the bowels regularly is to sit on the toilet seat around the same time each day. Make a habit of it and your body will follow.

Exercise is another major factor in improving your gut. Many experts believe that exercise assists in speeding up our metabolic rate which actually sees our digestive system work quick, thus resulting in ‘regularity’ and less stool sitting virtually idle in the digestive system.

How to Get Constipation Under Control

If chronic constipation is causing your hemorrhoids, it will be hard to heal them if you are still dealing with constipation.  My articles How To Relieve Your Chronic Constipation Naturally or How Do I Solve My Child’s Chronic Constipation? will help you to deal with the constipation so your hemorrhoids can heal.

Avoid Miralax if your doctor prescribes it.  It wipes out gut bacteria leading to more issues with constipation.  My son was put on Miralax and had horrible side effects from it. If you are interested in reading his story plus other information on Miralax safety, please read my article Is Miralax Safe to Give to My Child?  There have been over 25,000 reports of adverse events happening while children and adults have taken Miralax.  Seizures, Tics, Anxiety, Panic Attacks, Rage, Aggression, OCD, ADD, Kidney problems, Autism-like behaviors, ODD, Night Terrors, Learning Delays, Mouth Sores, Lack of Growth, Hallucinations, Speech Issues, numbness, C-Diff, homicidal and suicidal ideation are all side effects that have all been reported during Miralax use.

Any bleeding from the rectum should be checked by a physician.

It is very helpful to track your bowel movements to ensure you are avoiding constipation while healing your hemorrhoids.  I have made a free bowel movement tracker that will help you. Click on the link to receive your free BM tracker.  This will help you to make a regiment that has you going daily and keeping your stools soft to not aggravate your hemorrhoids.

Free Bowel Movement Tracker

Herbal Treatments for Hemorrhoids

There are a variety of herbs for hemorrhoids that work as well, and often better than over the counter and prescription medications. Some herbs can be applied topically, others work when inserted into the anus and serve to clean the area and reduce symptoms at the same time. Here are a few of your choices:

*  Aloe Vera Gel applied to anus takes away the pain, and helps protect and heal the tissue much like it works on a sunburn.
* Bayberry, goldenseal root, myrrh, white oak as salves are similar to many over the counter, conventional hemorrhoid treatments.
* Comfrey root made into a paste and put in a poultice is a good way to heal bleeding caused by hemorrhoids. Dr. Christopher’s is one of my favorite pre-made Comfrey salves.
* Elderberry poultice or mullein poultice held to the anal area helps to reduce swelling and inflammation.
* Yarrow boiled into a tea and applied with a cotton ball several times a day is another anti-inflammatory agent.
* Buckthorn bark, Collinsonia root, or parsley are best taken orally in capsule or tea form, and reduce pain and inflammation.

Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy or After Delivery

Even women who have never gotten hemorrhoids in the past can experience them during pregnancy.

Why do hemorrhoids occur so frequently in pregnant women? Hemorrhoids are caused by undue pressure on the veins in your rectum and intestines below the level of your uterus. When you are pregnant, the growing baby increases the pressure on those veins and arteries. This can cause hemorrhoids and clotting as well as varicose vein and other pressure related problems.

Constipation is another problem common to pregnancy and also a leading cause of hemorrhoids. Should hemorrhoids be caused by the pressure of the baby in the uterus, then constipation can aggravate the situation, inflaming hemorrhoids and possibly causing them to rupture and bleed. It is the straining during constipation that causes the anal canal to push out hemorrhoids instead of the bowel movement or both.

Another reason why pregnant women often end up with hemorrhoids is the same reason why they exhibit wild mood swings and nausea, an increase in certain hormones. The increased progesterone during pregnancy causes a breakdown in the protection mechanism in veins that usually slow or stop swelling. The walls relax and there’s nothing to stop the swelling. Progesterone also contributes to constipation, which as shown above, causes hemorrhoids and makes existing hemorrhoids even worse.

Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are par for the course.  A Sitz bath or ice pack can help to relieve the pain and irritation of hemorrhoids.  Coconut oil can be applied to the hemorrhoid to sooth and protect the delicate skin.  My coconut oil candy is a tasty way to help with constipation during pregnancy.

Natural Treatments for Relief from Hemorrhoids Caused by Chronic Constipation
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Do You Need Surgery For Your Fissure or Hemorrhoid?

Most people will not need surgery for fissures or hemorrhoids.

Both internal and external hemorrhoids left unchecked can lead to more severe cases, and ultimately surgery.  Surgery for hemorrhoids or fissures can be an excruciatingly painful experience, especially post-op. Many patients have reported days, if not weeks of pain during the healing period after surgery.  The outer rectum is one of the most sensitive parts of the body.

Small hemorrhoids can be “banded”. A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid. This band stops the blood circulation that feeds the hemorrhoid and then the hemorrhoid shrivels and withers away. Some surgeons treat hemorrhoids with sclerosing agents, which do the same thing as a band.

Laser coagulation can be performed. With laser coagulation, a small electrical current is applied to the hemorrhoid via a probe. This electrical current causes the blood flow to the hemorrhoid to stop, causing it to wither away.

With larger hemorrhoids surgical removal is performed, usually with local or spinal anesthesia. After the hemorrhoid is removed gauze packing is used to help reduce bleeding. There is generally a 4-5 day period of “downtime” following this surgery.

Your doctor will be able to advise you if surgery is necessary for your hemorrhoid or fissure.

When To See A Doctor For Your Hemorrhoid or Fissure

If you have a fissure or hemorrhoid that isn’t healing, then see your doctor.  He or she will have prescription options or surgical options that will help to heal you when natural treatments aren’t enough.  If you have bleeding from the rectum or black stools from old blood in your intestines, you should see your doctor.  If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, check with your doctor or midwife for recommendations that are safe for you and for your baby.

I would like to invite you to join my Facebook groups People Against Miralax or Natural Constipation Solutions for more information on how to treat constipation and for support on your journey.

Disclaimers

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*DISCLAIMER, I AM NOT A DOCTOR OR MEDICAL HEALTH PROFESSIONAL. ALL IDEAS DISCUSSED AND DESCRIBED IN THIS POST ARE MY OWN AND ARE NOT MEANT TO TREAT OR DIAGNOSE. IF YOU HAVE A MEDICAL CONDITION PLEASE SPEAK WITH YOUR DOCTOR.