Hemorrhoids (piles) and Homeopathy

               Hemorrhoids (piles) and Homeopathy

   Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins in your anus and lower rectum, similar to varicose veins. Hemorrhoids have a number of causes, although often the cause is unknown. They may result from straining during bowel movements or from the increased pressure on these veins during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids may be located inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids), or they may develop under the skin around the anus(external hemorrhoids). 

  Hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes of rectal bleeding. They're rarely dangerous and usually clear up in a couple of weeks. But you should see your doctor make sure it's not a more serious condition. He can also remove hemorrhoids that won't go away or are very painful. 

  Hemorrhoids are very common, nearly three out of four adults will have hemorrhoids from time to time. Sometimes they don't cause symptoms but at other times they cause itching, discomfort, and bleeding. Occasionally, a clot may form in hemorrhoid ( a thrombosed hemorrhoid). These are not dangerous but can be externally painful and sometimes need to be lanced and drained. Fortunately, many effective options are available to treat hemorrhoids. Many people can get relief from symptoms of home treatments and lifestyle changes. 

Internal Hemorrhoids: 

  These lie inside the rectum. Usually, can't see or feel these hemorrhoids, and they rarely cause discomfort. But straining or irritation when passing stool can damage hemorrhoid's surface and cause it to bleed. Occasionally, straining can push internal hemorrhoid through the anal opening. This is known as a protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoid and can cause pain and irritation. 

Internal hemorrhoids are far enough inside the rectum that you can't usually see or feel them. They don't generally hurt because you have few pain-sensing nerves there. Bleeding may be the only sign of them. 

External Hemorrhoids: 

  These are under the skin around your anus. When irritated, external hemorrhoids can itch or bleed. 

External hemorrhoids are under the skin around the anus, where there are many more pain-sensing nerves, so they tend to hurt as well as bleed. 

Thrombosed Hemorrhoids: 

  Sometimes blood may pool in external hemorrhoids and form a clot (thrombus) that can result in severe pain, swelling, inflammation, and a hard lump near your anus. 

Sometimes hemorrhoids prolapse, or get bigger and bulge outside the anal sphincter. Then you may be able to see them as moist bumps that are pinker than the surrounding area and they're more likely to hurt, often when you poop. 

Symptoms: 

Signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids any include: 

- Painless bleeding during bowel movements you might notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet. 

- Itching or irritation in your anal region.

- Pain or discomfort.

- swelling around your anus. 

- A lump near your anus, which may be sensitive or painful(maybe a thrombosed hemorrhoid)

- Hemorrhoid symptoms usually depend on the location. 

- Bleeding is the most constant feature.

- Pain in advance cases or when associated with a fissure.

- Itching, burning, and irritation.

- Mucous discharge. 

-Anemia in long-lasting cases. 

Causes:

The veins around anus tend to stretch under pressure and may bulge or swell. Swollen veins(hemorrhoids) can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to: 

- Straining during bowel movements

- Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet

- Chronic diarrhea or constipation.

- Obesity

- Pregnancy

- Anal intercourse

- Low-fiber diet

Hemorrhoids are more likely because the tissues that support the veins in your rectum and anus can weaken and stretch. 

Pathophysiology:

 Hemorrhoid cushions are a part of normal human anatomy become a pathological disease only when they experience abnormal changes, There are three main cushions present in the normal anal canal. These are located classically in left lateral, right lateral, and right posterior positions. They are composed of neither arteries nor veins, but blood vessels called sinusoids, connective tissue, and smooth muscle. Sinusoids do not have muscle tissue in their walls, as veins do. This set of blood vessels is known as the hemorrhoidal plexus. 

  Hemorrhoid cushions are important for continence. They contribute to 15% - 20% of anal closure pressure at rest and protect the internal and external anal sphincter muscles during the passage of stool. when a person bears down, then a person down, the intraabdominal pressure grows, and hemorrhoid cushions increase in size helping maintain anal closure. Hemorrhoid symptoms are believed to result when these vascular structures slide downwards or when venous pressure may also be involved in hemorrhoid symptoms. Two types of hemorrhoids occur internally from the superior hemorrhoidal plexus and external from the inferior hemorrhoidal plexus. The dental line divides the two regions.

Gradation of Piles: 

- Grade I- Bleeding is present but there is no external mass visible. 
- Grade II - Thre is the prolapse of piles after stool. but the mass recedes automatically after defecation. 
- Grade III - Haemorrhoids prolapse during stool but they do not reduce by themselves and they have to reduce manually. 
- Grade IV - Piles cannot be reduced at all and remains always outside the anal orifice. 

  Remains always outside the anal orifice. This grade  I and II are expected to have a good result with proper homeopathic treatment, grade III may to some extent respond to homeopathy but grade IV comes extremely advanced pathology does not keep any scope for conservative treatments. Of course in all cases, the patient can expect a reduction in the severity of symptoms with homeopathy. 

When to see a doctor: 

 Bleeding during bowel movements is the most common sign of hemorrhoids. Your doctor can do a physical examination and perform other tests to confirm hemorrhoids and rule out more- serious conditions or diseases. Also, talk to your doctor if you know you have hemorrhoids and they cause pain to bleed frequently or excessively, or don't improve with home remedies. 

  Don't assume rectal bleeding is due to hemorrhoids, especially if you are over 40 years old. Rectal bleeding can occur with other diseases, including colorectal cancer and anal cancer. If you have to bleed along with a marked change in bowel habits or if your stools change in color or consistency, consult your doctor. These types of stools can single more extensive bleeding elsewhere in your digestive tract. 

Complications: 

Complications of hemorrhoids are very rare but include: 

Anemia: 
 Rarely, chronic blood loss from hemorrhoids may cause anemia, in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your cells. 

Strangulated hemorrhoid: 
  If the blood supply to internal hemorrhoids is cut off, hemorrhoids may be strangulated another cause of extreme pain. 

Prevention: 

 The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to keep your stools soft, so they pass easily. To prevent hemorrhoids and reduce symptoms of hemorrhoids follow these tips: 

 Eat high- fiber foods:
    Eat more fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Doing so softens the stool and increases its bulk, which will help you avoid the straining that can cause hemorrhoids. Add fiber to your diet slowly to avoid problems with gas. 

Drink plenty of fluids: 
   Drink six to eight glasses of water and other liquids(not alcohol) each day to help keep stools soft. 

Consider fiber supplements: 
  Most people don't get enough of the recommended amount of fiber- 25 grams a day for women and 38 grams a day for men in their diet. Studies have shown that over the counter fiber supplements such as Metamucil products help keep stools soft and regular. If you use fiber supplements, be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water or other fluids every day. Otherwise, the supplements can cause constipation or make constipation worse. 

Don't strain:
  Straining and holding your breath when trying to pass a stool creates greater pressure in the veins in the lower rectum. 

Go as soon as you feel the urge: 
  If you wait to pass a bowel movement and the urge goes away, your stool could become dry and be harder to pass. 

Exercise:
  Stay active to help prevent constipation and to reduce pressure on veins, which can occur with long periods of standing or sitting. Exercise can also help you lose excess weight that may be contributing to your hemorrhoids.  

Avoid long periods of sitting: 
  Sitting too long particularly on the toilet can increase the pressure on the veins in the anus. 

Frequently used medicines: 

Aesculus Hippocastanum: 

 Is a frequently indicated remedy in piles. There are intense dryness and heat of rectum, the sensation of knife-like pain as if of small sticks excessive burning in anus. But the main character is that the piles are mostly nonbleeding. There is a severe backache and extremely irritability which is almost always associated. 

Aloe socotrina: 

 A wonderful remedy in plies where the hemorrhoids look like a bunch of grapes(also Muriatic acid), there is constantly bearing down sensation, profuse bleeding, sore pain, and heat which is relieved by cold water. There is intense itching and burning in the anus which prevented sleep. Along with these other peculiar features of aloe like poor sphincter control excessive gas and stomach pain, diarrhea is to be searched. 

Arsenicum album: 

  Haemorrhoidal pain is like stitching when walking or sitting but not peculiarly in the stool. There is intense burning heat of rectum which is ameliorated by heat, there are extreme weakness and exhaustion in the patient. 

Collinsonia Canadensis: 

 Is an excellent medicine for piles of women. Hemorrhoids arising in later months of pregnancy or delivery. Piles are chronic, painful, and bleeding. It is associated with palpitation which often alternates with piles. 

Hammamelis verginica: 

 Medicine most frequently comes to mind when the bleeding is excessive there is burning, soreness, heaviness, anus feels raw, of bluish appearance and there is a backache. There is a tendency to hemorrhage from other orifices as well. 

Ignatia: 

 Excellent for grade II or grade III piles. There is prolapse every time after stool which has to be replaced. There are sharp stitches in the rectum, more when the stool is loose and remains for hours after stool. Prolapse is easy, even when stopping of lifting something. Mental symptoms if Ignatia is to be noted. 

Muriatic acid: 

 Piles of persons with great debility who become extremely exhausted from every attempt at stool. Hemorrhoids blue, swollen, extremely painful, and sensitive. So sensitive and sore that even least touch on the sheet is uncomfortable. Advanced cases where prolapse is easy, even when trying to urinate, There is the involuntary passage of stool when patiently urinates. 

Nitric acid: 

 Though usually used for piles, it is more popular when it is associated with fissure, as there is an intense pain after stool, so painful so as to prevent sitting in a chair. Strong smelling urine, peculiar mental irritability, and night aggravation are to be matched always it is a deep acting remedy in fact. 

Nux- vomica:

 Almost exclusively effective for all kinds of piles. Overall Nux pictures like the peculiar careless and high lifestyle, lot of addiction gastric troubles, and excessive irritability is enough to select the remedy. 

Ruta Graveolens:

  For prolapsed grade II, III, or IV piles. Prolapse is very easy, on attempting a passage, from slightest stooping, after pregnancy. More frequently indicated for colorectal carcinoma. 

Sulphur: 

 A deep acting and useful medicine used in many cases of piles when other remedies are not well responding. General indications of Sulphur armored useful in selection rather than searching particular symptoms of piles. 

Syphilinum: 

 Useful in piles with prolapse and fissure. There is a positive syphilitic history, aggravation at night, extreme forgetfulness, and extraordinary craving alcohol which is often hereditary. 

Thuja occidentalis:

 Another useful medicine indicated in cases where there is a swollen pile with fissure and excessive pain on sitting, the anus is often surrounded by flat warts. 

Besides medicine, a healthy lifestyle, a lot of fibers in diet, and minimum spices along with a regular warm water bath will help the patient a lot. Moreover, one important line for all patients is that ' Never strain at a stool to clear your bowel'.