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| HEALTHY and FITNESS |
Piles, or hemorrhoids,
are enlarged veins found either externally or internally around the anus. They
are caused by increased pressure on the pelvic and rectal veins and are often
related to constipation, diarrhea, and straining to pass a stool. Piles affect
over half the population by the age of 50. Piles can be rather painful and can
make your daily life difficult and uncomfortable.
Table of Content
Causes of Piles
Piles develop when the supporting tissues of the anal
cushions disintegrate or deteriorate. There are some causing factors for piles,
including:
·
being
overweight
·
regularly
lifting heavy objects
·
aging
·
pregnancy
and giving birth
·
heredity
·
constipation
or chronic diarrhea
·
faulty
bowel function due to overuse of laxatives or enemas
·
spending
excessive periods of time on the toilet
An increase in intra-abdominal pressure during
pregnancy or when constipated and sitting on the toilet for a prolonged period
of time while straining are major contributing factors for the development of
hemorrhoids. The weakening of supporting tissue as a result of aging and genetics
may also serve as another cause.
Many dietary factors,
including a low-fiber diet, spicy foods, and alcohol intake, have been
implicated as possible causes of hemorrhoids as well.
There are natural treatments for how
to get rid of hemorrhoids, and starting there may help relieve these
literal pains in the butt. The steps below will help you naturally treat
piles; however, if you don't experience relief from piles within four to seven
days, you should consult your physician.
How to Get
Rid of Piles
1. Improve Your Diet
a) Eat
High-Fiber Foods
To
get rid of piles, it’s important that you avoid constipation and hard stool,
which can be done by eating plenty of high-fiber foods. For how to get rid of hemorrhoids, the recommendation is 30–35 grams of fiber daily. Eat foods such as avocados,
berries, figs, Brussels sprouts, acorn squash, beans, lentils, nuts, flaxseeds,
chia seeds, and quinoa. High-fiber diets reduced the risk of persisting symptoms
and bleeding by approximately 50 percent.
b) Drink
Plenty of Water
Dehydration can
lead to constipation because water or fluids are required for fiber to travel
smoothly through the digestive tract. Many studies, including one published in
the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition, indicate that fluid
loss and fluid restriction can increase constipation, which can worsen
hemorrhoid symptoms. To relieve
constipation drink at least one glass of water with each meal and
snack of the day and get rid of piles/hemorrhoids.
c) Eat
Fermented Foods
Fermented foods like
kefir, kimchi, and raw, pastured yogurt can help provide the digestive system
with healthy bacteria that are essential for proper elimination. Several
studies have shown that fermented foods and probiotics improve intestinal tract health, synthesize and
enhance the bioavailability of nutrients, modify gut pH, and aid digestion.
d) Limit
Alcohol and Spicy Foods
Alcohol
can be dehydrating and hard on the digestive system, making piles of symptoms
worse. Spicy foods can intensify the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Some studies show
that both alcohol and spicy foods consumption serve as risk factors for
hemorrhoids, although the data isn’t consistent. To be safe, limit these foods
until the piles have cleared up.
2. Practice Better “Toilet Habits”
a) Avoid
Straining
Straining
during a bowel movement can be painful and make piles problems even worse.
Don’t wait too long before going to the toilet. Pay attention to your body’s
signals, and when you feel an urge to use the bathroom, go right away.
Otherwise, the stool will
become harder, and this will automatically make you push harder. When you’re at
the toilet, take your time and relax your body.
b) Prevent
Constipation
Constipation forces you to strain
while using the bathroom, and that will increase the pain and inflammation of
the piles. To avoid constipation, drink plenty of fluids, engage in regular
physical activity, and eat high-fiber foods that make stools softer. These are
also how to get rid of hemorrhoids or prevent them in the first place.
c) Avoid
Prolonged Sitting on the Toilet
Spending too much time on the toilet
can worsen your piles. Don’t read or distract yourself while using the
bathroom; this only leads to more time spent straining.
d) Clean
Yourself Thoroughly
If the stool is left behind after you wipe, it can aggravate piles even more, which is
why it’s important to cleanse yourself thoroughly after going to the bathroom.
Do not, however, cleanse yourself too roughly or use soaps that contain harsh
chemicals, alcohol, or perfumes. Instead, use plain water to wipe yourself and
then dry your bottom afterward. Asitz bath, which involves sitting in warm
water for 10 minutes, twice daily, is helpful to patients with anal
itching, aching, or burning.
3. Take Helpful Supplements
a) Psyllium Husk
Psyllium husk is a natural source of pure fiber that’s sold in
powder form. Studies suggest that plant fibers like psyllium husk can
reduce the frequency of bleeding when using the bathroom and help avoid
constipation or straining. Make sure to drink plenty of water when using
psyllium husk.
A study on animal published (2011) in Digestive Diseases and Sciences found that psyllium husk has a
gut-stimulatory and laxative effect on mice, and at higher doses it has
antisecretory (reducing the normal rate of secretion of body fluid) and
antidiarrheal activity.
b) Pycnogenol
A study (2010) published in Phytotherapy Research investigated the efficacy of orally
and topically applied Pycnogenol for
the management of acute piles attacks in a controlled, randomized study with 84
subjects. Within less than 48 hours of an attack, patients were enrolled and
their signs and symptoms were scored. The decrease in scores was significantly
more pronounced in the Pycnogenol group than in the control group given a placebo. The study indicates that oral and topical Pycnogenol helps to heal
acute hemorrhoids.
c) Horse Chestnut
Horse
chestnut is commonly used as an herbal remedy for poor blood
flow and swelling. Horse chestnut has been shown to improve microcirculation,
capillary flow and vascular tone, all of which are helpful for how to get rid
of piles.
d) Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is
a plant that’s used for its skin-healing, astringent and antioxidant
properties. Topical application of witch hazel can help soothe piles by
reducing inflammation and pain.
e) Butcher’s Broom
Butcher’s the broom can help reduce swelling and inflammation of hemorrhoids. A 2002 study
conducted in Germany found that butcher’s broom was an effective means of
treatment for patients suffering from chronic venous insufficiency, a condition where the flow of blood
through the veins is inadequate, causing the blood to pool.
4. Try Beneficial Essential Oils
a) Cypress Oil
Cypress essential oil stops excess blood flow and promotes the clotting of
blood, due to its hemostatic and astringent properties. Cypress oil helps with
the contraction of blood vessels, and it tightens tissues. It’s also known to
reduce anxiety, which can help to relieve constipation for some people. Use
cypress topically by adding three to four drops to a cotton ball and applying it to the area of concern.
b) Helichrysum
Helichrysum essential oil helps stimulate
the secretion of gastric juices that are needed to break down food and prevent
digestive issues. It also serves as an anti-inflammatory agent when applied
topically. To use helichrysum, rub two to three drops into the abdomen or area
of inflammation.
Foods and herbal supplements that help relieve constipation can
alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoids. A high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of
fluids are the most helpful dietary changes that you can make when it comes to
how to get rid of hemorrhoids. Change in lifestyle and food habits gives relief to
painful piles, however, if you don't experience relief from piles within four
to seven days, you should consult your physician.
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