Herbal Treatments:

Butcher’s broom is one of the most popular herbal cures for hemorrhoids. This plant has been known to have curative effects for hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Butcher’s broom, in addition, has the ability to narrow the veins, which in turn can alleviate any discomfort one feels while suffering from the condition.

Horse chestnut is another natural hemorrhoid treatment. This herbal treatment has been known to strengthen the veins, thus making them extra resistant to swelling and inflammation. Taking the extract internally can help treat hemorrhoids, though external use is also effective.

Barberry is famous for promoting a healthy intestinal microbial balance. This unique ability of the plant makes it a great hemorrhoid treatment.

Witch hazel, on the other hand, has astringent qualities known to help reduce inflammation and swelling. The plant is also effective in reducing bleeding by stopping blood flow to the hemorrhoids.

Treatment for the symptoms:

Aside from herbal medications, there are also other hemorrhoid treatments used to alleviate the several various symptoms of the condition. Also known as homeophatic remedy, this approach serves as an aid the body’s natural self-healing abilities.

Sulphur is one example of this type of treatment method. Sulphur is mainly used around the affected area to reduce burning and itching. If the condition is protruding, applying sulphur can help reduce the pressure in the abdomen.

Aloe, on the other hand, can help reduce soreness and bleeding.

Calendula is another excellent treatment, which generally helps promote rapid healing. This ointment is used for open wounds and hemorrhoids that take time to heal.

Collinsonia Canadensis is a great hemorrhoid treatment for pregnant women. The remedy helps relieve pruritus and anal itching.

Lastly, for itching, anal ulceration, burning sensation during defecation, peony is a great remedy. Paeonia Officinalis is an excellent way to treat hemorrhoid and alleviate its symptoms.

These are just some of the ways on how to treat hemorrhoids. Natural treatment approaches are great for those who want ways to treat the condition at home. But remember that if the hemorrhoids have worsen, see your doctor immediately.

But not everyone is quite keen on seeking the help of their doctors when they are under this condition. In fact, many find it embarrassing to expose their backside even if it is their family doctor to begin with. If you won't let a medical expert take a look at the problem, who can you trust to get rid of it for you?

Rectal Exam

A rectal exam is one method used by doctors today to examine your hemorrhoid, as well as other possible complications in your rectum. Keep in mind that there is a possibility that what you are experiencing may not be hemorrhoid at all -- it could be a tumor, cancer, or worse. A rectal exam will help find out what the problem your doctor can find a solution to get it treated or removed as soon as possible before it poses a risk.

Preparation is important before undergoing a rectal exam. You will be asked by your doctor to clean your bowel. You may be advised to use colon cleansers or am enema a day before the examination. Liquid diet or taking laxatives may also be suggested as well.

Physical Examination

There might be some discomfort attributed to a rectal exam, especially if you're not used to it. You just need to remind yourself that this is an important examination to determine whether you are at risk or not.

First, the doctor will be doing a visual examination of the anus and its surrounding areas. This is to determine if there are any problems on the outside that might lead to complications. Your doctor will then insert a gloved and well-lubricated finger into your anal opening. They will let their finger relax on the anal opening until you get used to it before proceeding any further.

After a few second, the doctor will then proceed to insert the finger deeper to check on a man's prostate or a woman's cervix. This is to determine if there are any bulges for possible conditions, like tumor, abscesses, enlarged prostate, or other objects trapped inside that might become a problem if left unchecked. 

Your doctor may use certain medical devices for a thorough examination to determine the problem.  They may use an anoscope for a visual examination of your rectum. You may be referred to other medical experts if there are problems that are out of their field.

There are different factors that cause hemorrhoids; and knowing these factors in advance can help us prevent this condition from occurring in our system. Here are some of them.

1. Genetics

Hemorrhoids may be acquired by an individual through genetics. A father who has weak rectal veins on the lower rectum can easily pass it on to his son or daughter. Though this has been a proven case by medical experts, hereditary hemorrhoids are very rare.  

But aside from the physical characteristics we inherited from the earlier generation, it is possible that some of the habits and lifestyle we got from them may also trigger hemorrhoids from happening -- like the habit of smoking in the bathroom during bowel movement might be something we have learned from our parents.

2.  Straining Bowel Movement

The number one cause of hemorrhoids is straining bowel movement. Keep in mind that our rectal area is not equipped with valves that can handle extra pressure in our veins. Too much straining during bowel movement can cause these veins to swell up that will eventually lead to hemorrhoids.

It is common to get hemorrhoids when you force yourself during constipation or diarrhea. The design of the toilet too is said to be a bad bathroom habit that leads to this condition. Smoking during bowel movement or reading magazines and newspapers makes us stay in the position longer than necessary which leads to hemorrhoids.

3. Pregnancy

Pregnant women are prone to hemorrhoids than any other individuals. The extra weight they carry during pregnancy increases the pressure on the rectal veins, which causes it to swell up and resulting to hemorrhoids.

Keep in mind, however, that not all pregnant women acquire hemorrhoids when they are still pregnant. There some cases that they got it after childbirth, especially with natural birthing that involves a lot of straining and pushing. Constipation after childbirth may also cause this problem.

4. Western Diet

A Westerner's diet is filled with sugar, starch, animal protein -- virtually less or no fiber. Asian and African countries however are mostly on a high-fiber diet, which includes rice, fruits, vegetables, and so on.  

People who eat a lot of fiber rarely suffer from hemorrhoid; which is why Western countries tend to get them a lot. Less fiber diet tends to end up with stools that are hard to release from the system, where an individual needs to force the stool out with a lot of straining. Because of today's rapid Westernization, quite of lot of hemorrhoid cases have been sprouting up worldwide -- and that is because of the food we eat.

5. Postponing Bowel Movement

There are times that we need to postpone going to the bathroom for many reasons -- either there is no toilet nearby that we can use or in the middle of a very important meeting. This is not harmful, unless done regularly.

The longer the fecal matter stays inside the digestive system, the harder it becomes. Hard stools are not easy to bring out and this involves a lot of straining and forcing just to get rid of it. Again, to much strain on your veins can cause hemorrhoids.

6. Diarrhea and Constipation

Diarrhea is the body's natural way of getting rid of bacteria in the digestive system. Contaminated food containing bacteria can be very harmful to our body and the best way to get rid of it is as fecal matter. The only problem with this condition, however, is that our digestive system will continue to release watery stools until there are no more problems in it.

Constipation, on the other hand, is the opposite of diarrhea. This is characterized by infrequent bowel movements and difficulty in removing fecal matter from your digestive system.

Despite being total opposites, both diarrhea and constipation can cause hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids in diarrhea is caused by too much straining or continuous straining during bowel movement, which is a few times every hour, that can damage our rectal veins. In constipation, stool that remains longer in the digestive systems becomes hard; requiring a lot of force to expel from the body -- thus leading to hemorrhoids.

7. Excessive Physical Exertion

Lifting heavy objects is a cause of hemorrhoids. If you check out surveys, individuals who acquire this condition are those who are into hard labor as their job description -- construction workers lifting heavy objects are on the top of the list. The pressure when you carry heavy objects is evident to all parts of the body -- straining up every piece of organ in your body, including the rectal walls all the way down to your anus.

It would be safe to ask why weightlifters rarely get hemorrhoids. It is simply because they have too much animal protein in their body to help them grow in mass and bulk up. Even if they carry too much weight over their heads for a prolonged period of time, the protein in their system will make for an easy bathroom break.