
When left untreated, hemorrhoids are commonly associated with great pain and discomfort and can affect your day-to-day life. But, there’s no need to worry!
You might be surprised that hemorrhoid pain is more frequent than you think and there are some simple ways to diagnose, prevent and treat hemorrhoids even from the comfort of your home. Here, at The Body Health Guide, we believe in the power of your inner self and the strength of natural remedies that can ease your pain.
Do you want to learn more about hemorrhoids? Read this guide if you want to better understand how to ease your symptoms, prevent them from getting worse, and get rid of hemorrhoids permanently!
The Hemorrhoids Problem: A Brief Introduction
Did you know that 1 in 20 Americans is affected by hemorrhoids? Moreover, even though it’s believed to be an age-exclusive medical condition, the truth is that we all have hemorrhoidal tissue, regardless of age or physical condition.
The demand for hemorrhoid therapy is expected to increase by 23% in the next two decades and it seems to eventually affect more and more adults. So, it’s never too late to start taking action!
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen or enlarged veins or varicose veins on the exterior of your anus or in your lower rectum: the last section of the colon, leading to the anus, which is the orifice at the end of the bowel. Often associated with itching, rectal bleeding, heavy pain, and discomfort, hemorrhoids can be internal or external, depending on the types of symptoms you are experiencing.
Internal vs External Hemorrhoids: The Main Differences
Hemorrhoids may bleed from the rectums or your upper and lower abdomen. While people are looking for the best hemorrhoids treatment, some of them are trying to reduce their symptoms and stop the issue from returning, while others target the hemorrhoid problem directly. The key to understanding what suits your situation best is to differentiate between the particularities of hemorrhoids and their physical symptoms.
Simply put, internal hemorrhoids are on the outside of the anal canal, whereas external hemorrhoids are on the inside. Normally, external hemorrhoids are easier to spot because they appear as enlarged blood vessels or hard lumps that are unpleasant or uncomfortable. Those are usually manifested through strong irritation in your anal region or swelling in the area.
Internal hemorrhoids, however, are located inside the rectum, so you may be unaware of their presence. The only way to notice them is through blood in your stool or when hemorrhoids prolapse outside the anus, or through painless bleeding during bowel movements.
Causes of Hemorrhoids: What Should You Know
There are several well-known influences or life habits that increase your chance of suffering from hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure in the lower rectum, which causes swollen veins around your anus. As you put more pressure on the anal area, the surrounding tissues weaken and stretch. Some risk factors for hemorrhoids include:
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea ─ lengthy periods of sitting on the toilet can impair the blood flow in your anal canal, causing it to pool within the vessels.
- Regular heavy lifting ─ often carrying heavy objects can strain internal organs and veins near the rectum, putting pressure on them, therefore causing further irritation and heavy pain.
- Excessive pushing during bowel movement ─ consistently straining when sitting on the toiler conducts to swollen veins in your anus and can cause burning or itching, which increases the chances of external hemorrhoids.
- Pregnancy ─ women are more likely to suffer from hemorrhoids due to the heavy pressure in the pelvic veins caused by the uterus growth.
- Increased stress ─ as stress is the cause of most of our health conditions, there’s no news that it affects hemorrhoids as well. When agitated, people contract their sphincter muscles and put pressure on their rectum or make poor food choices and suffer from constipation.
All of these risk factors, combined with age, may cause complications and require medication to get rid of. However, the more you know, the more protected you are, so firstly you should try to avoid the main factors that can ultimately lead to bleeding or more swollen hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids Symptoms: How to Spot Them and The Importance of Prevention
Even though one of the biggest issues with hemorrhoids is that they cause major discomfort, most of the time this medical condition is not life-threatening and tends to go away on its own. However, there are special cases when the health condition worsens and requires medical attention.
The most common hemorrhoid symptoms include pain around the anus, mostly when sitting, heavy itching, pain around the bowel, blood clots, and uncomfortable lumps around your anus. Blood clots are linked to external hemorrhoids and are caused by thrombose, and are the most painful type of hemorrhoids.
Usually, hemorrhoid symptoms can be spotted with a visual examination of your anus, also known as a digital rectal exam. However, hemorrhoids can lead to other gastrointestinal diseases, as such, you might be asked to perform a colonoscopy or endoscopy.
Be Aware of The Risks and Complications of Hemorrhoids
Let’s talk about risks! Identifying hemorrhoids at the right time can prevent cancer and other complications that can lead to medical surgery or a heavy hemorrhoids treatment. As such, prevention is the major factor that can determine if you can get rid of hemorrhoids permanently.
- One complication may be anemia, caused by heavy bleeding which leads to headaches, and dizziness.
- Hemorrhoids can also cause certain infections due to bleeding and tissue bacteria that can conduct to fever, tissue death, or abscesses.
- Another complication that can appear is artery strangulation and clogged vessels, which can lead to excruciating pain.
Hemorrhoids While on Blood Thinners: A Few Things You Should Consider
By now, we all know that one of the most common hemorrhoid symptoms is external bleeding from your anal canal, caused by various factors when you are dealing with the hemorrhoids problem. If you suffer from external piles, and you are wondering how to treat bleeding hemorrhoids, don’t worry, the Body Health Guide has got you covered!
Taking blood thinners medication might increase your chance of bleeding, as this type of medicine aids the smooth passage of blood through your veins and arteries.
Most commonly, blood thinners are used to prevent clots from developing or growing in size and are administrated to patients with heart diseases and other conditions that may increase the risk of forming threatening blood clots.
When wondering how to treat bleeding hemorrhoids, you should know that bleeding might affect your condition, and it can become more difficult for you to get rid of hemorrhoid pain.
The reality is that blood thinners do not make your blood thinner, in fact, they alter your blood chemistry to make the clot formation process more difficult. As such, you tend to bleed more easily and the hemorrhage is harder to stop.
Recommendations for Your Hemorrhoids Treatment While on Blood Thinners
- Avoid any physical activities that could harm you. As we know that one of the causes of hemorrhoids is straining during bowel movements, try to wear clothes that do not cause you discomfort in that area and avoid heavy physical exercise that might force it and ultimately cause bleeding.
- You should avoid herbal or dietary supplements that might increase the risk of bleeding. For example, when taking Warfarin, which is one of the most common blood thinner medications, you should avoid herbs such as garlic, ginseng, thyme, or ginger, as those reduce the anticoagulation properties and raise the likelihood of blood clots.
- Don’t overconsume vitamins K or E while taking blood thinners. Vitamin K, for example, is required in the chemical process of your body forming blood clots, so it increases the chances of those appearing. On the other hand, vitamin E can speed up the effects of your blood thinners, and you will experience heavier and more constant bleeding. Don’t cut them out completely, just be more cautious with your daily intake.
Learn more about identifying hemorrhoids at the right time and read about the four types of hemorrhoid-related problems that might occur. Check out this post on our website!
6 Easy and Natural Methods To Get Rid of Hemorrhoids
When suffering from hemorrhoids, there are some non-invasive and simple natural hemorrhoids treatment options that you can follow and include in your everyday routine that can help you either prevent them or ease your pain.
From your daily water intake to a high fiber diet, aloe vera, and cold compresses—we’ve put together a list of recommendations that have proven effective and can help you get rid of hemorrhoids permanently.
1. Introduce High Fiber Foods Into Your Diet
Your hemorrhoids treatment should start with a lifestyle change. We all know that our diet determines the overall condition of our health, don’t we?
It is believed that people with a more unbalanced diet are more likely to suffer from hemorrhoids due to the lack of fibers and vitamins in their bodies. So, what should you do?
A high fiber diet can typically alleviate or help you avoid hemorrhoid problems, especially when it comes to internal hemorrhoids developing into external ones.
One of the best natural hemorrhoids treatment recommendations is to slowly increase the fiber intake in your body, as it’s been proven that fibers soften your stool, increase water retention in your colon and minimize the colon transit time, reducing constipation or straining.
An unbalanced digestive system is one of the causes of hemorrhoids, so you should start paying more attention to the food you eat. Here’s a list of food that you should incorporate into your high fiber diet:
- Lettuce, pumpkin, spinach, or green peas;
- Apples, prunes, pears, and bananas;
- Quinoa, brown rice, or lentils;
- Whole-what pasta, cereals, and bread.
Check out more details about natural foods for constipation relief on the Body Health Guide website!
2. Take Warm “Sitz” Baths
Warm bathing is an important and proven remedy for your hemorrhoids treatment.
Coming from the German word “sitz”, which means “sitting’, taking a sitz bath implies covering your perineum area in warm water. It’s a great way for you to ease your hemorrhoid pain, and reduce swelling, discomfort, or itching around the anal area.
There are special kits on the market for sitz baths, but there is no special need for you to buy one, as you can easily take a warm bath in your bathtub. Here are some steps you should follow:
- Clean your bathtub carefully before using it for a sitz bath to avoid bacteria or infections;
- After that, fill in the bath with water for three inches;
- Try to keep the temperature as low as possible, as hot water may cause burns in your swollen areas.
A sitz bath usually takes up to 15 or 20 minutes, no more than that, and you need to make sure that you’re covering your perineum area property. After the bath, use a clean cotton towel, gently pat yourself dry, and avoid rubbing or scrubbing the irritated areas to avoid further inflammation.
Learn more about the use, recommendations, and benefits of sitz baths by reading this article!
3. Apply Cold Compresses
As hemorrhoids cause blood vessels to enlarge, cold therapy can certainly alleviate pain symptoms. Applying cold compresses to the swollen area can reduce inflammation, hence lowering discomfort, and is one of the most common natural hemorrhoids treatment. Although it may seem overwhelming, don’t worry, because The Body Health Guide’s got you covered!
To alleviate hemorrhoids, fill a bag with ice and sit on it for about 20 minutes. However, always remember to use ice cloths to protect your skin from any irritation or harm caused by putting ice directly on it. Apply cold packs to the affected areas for 15-30 minutes three times a day. The sitting therapy dilates and compresses veins in the rectum and anus.
Ice packs are a great way to relieve hemorrhoid pain by numbing the affected area, lessening bleeding, and reducing swelling. We are sure that each and one of us has a pack of ice at home, so this represents one of the greatest home remedies for hemorrhoids instead of using over-the-counter medications.
Learn more about cold therapy and potential risks from this article!
4. Try Aloe Vera To Prevent Inflammations

As one of the best home remedies for hemorrhoids, aloe vera has multiple properties and can be used in different ways:
Aloe Vera Gel
You can use aloe vera gel and apply it externally to reduce pain. Due to its high acemannano concentration, the gel provides a refreshing, healing, and anti-inflammatory action when applied locally. It can help you ease itching, as well. However, never use aloe vera cream, as the other ingredients may interfere with hemorrhoids and cause side effects, try to use pure aloe vera gel.
Aloe vera juice
It is also recommended for hemorrhoids treatment, as it has an anti-inflammatory effect on the whole organism, especially the digestive system. It can help soothe inflammation on the walls of the colon, and the tissue that makes up the hemorrhoids. Moreover, aloe vera juice also has laxative qualities, that aids in the removal of feces. It also feeds the bacterial flora in the colon and regulates its function.
One of the greatest pieces of advice is to use both these methods to treat hemorrhoids naturally, as taking care of both your internal and external health will ease pain more quickly, and you will achieve immediate relief.
Find out more about the benefits of aloe vera with this short video!
5. Drink a Fair Amount of Water
A great method for preventing hemorrhoids is increasing your daily water intake. There’s no secret that dehydration can cause multiple health problems and prevents your body from functioning in a balanced way. That’s the case with hemorrhoids as well!
Dehydration can aggravate hemorrhoids by interfering with digestion and bowel motions. This is also related to not drinking enough water. To minimize further difficulties, remain hydrated and drink plenty of water.
Increasing your water intake is simple and non-invasive. Drinking at least 8 glasses of water every day is recommended by experts. Water is one of the finest dietary adjustments for hemorrhoids since it softens the feces. The need for straining is decreased by softening the stools, which aids in the prevention of constipation and minimizes the risk of hemorrhoid aggravation.
How much water do you need to drink daily? Check out this video explaining all about the water intake your body needs!
6. Increase Your Physical Activity
While heavy lifting is not advised when suffering from hemorrhoids, frequent activity is beneficial to both your physical and emotional wellbeing. Sitting for an extended period increases the pressure around the anus and contributes to hemorrhoids. Even light exercise, such as walking, can help prevent constipation and hemorrhoids.
Staying active may also aid in the loss of extra weight, which may be influencing hemorrhoid growth. The purpose of exercising is to induce regular bowel movements, enhance circulation, and strengthen the pelvic and lower back muscles. Particularly, increased blood flow improves the delivery of nutrients and oxygen to the affected area. Some recommended exercises to do as part of the hemorrhoids treatment include:
- Aerobic exercises and walking
- Swimming and water aerobics
- Exercises on a treadmill
- Yoga and other controlled-movement exercises
Increase your activity level with this 15 minutes yoga workout!
The Dos and Don’ts of Hemorrhoids Treatment
There are a few things you should consider and avoid when you want to know how to treat bleeding hemorrhoids. The Body Health Guide is here to assist you with up-to-date information for your hemorrhoids treatment!
Keep in mind that the real purpose is to prevent hemorrhoids and get rid of them permanently, and there are a few simple steps that you can implement in your daily routine, besides the recommendations mentioned above.
THE HEMORRHOIDS TREATMENT DOS
- Try using witch hazel, which is applied directly on the skin for pain or itching, and has strong anti-inflammatory properties.
- Using a warm, moist tea bag can be used to relieve external hemorrhoids. The tannin acid in tea reduces edema, relieves pain, and promotes blood coagulation to halt bleeding.
- Most people try to introduce fiber supplements, such as psyllium, into their diet to deal with a fiber deficiency, which can help you prevent hemorrhoids.
- Avoid scented toilet paper as it has extra chemicals that might irritate the area more. Plain, white toilet paper or a moist towelette are recommended.
THE HEMORRHOIDS TREATMENT DON’TS
- Apple vinegar to prevent itching because such a remedy can lead to skin burns and increase inflammation.
- Heavy exercises such as cycling, rowing, or horseback riding to avoid putting extra pressure on your sensitive areas.
- Eating high-processed foods, such as chips, meat, cheese, or fast food to prevent constipation.
- A sedentary lifestyle, as being inactive, increases the pressure on the blood vessels.
Learn More With The Body Health Guide!
Here, at the Body Health Guide, we want to ensure that you make the best decisions for your health and well-being. Our expertise backed up by a medical team, straightforward advice and multiple domains of expertise can assist you in choosing natural treatment for the most common health conditions.
Whether you want to learn more about hemorrhoids treatment, colon cleanse, detox, HPV, or thyroid solutions – The Body Health Guide will cut through the confusion with expert-reviewed solutions that fit you best!
Choose the natural options! Here, at The Body Health Guide, we are ready to help you overcome the most common medical issues and provide you with simple and easy solutions.