The question 'Can Hemorrhoids be cured?' must have been asked a million times. If you were to ask this same question to the medical profession or the pharmaceuticals they would offer a resounding no...but is this really true?
Hemorrhoids are not fun to have so why is it so many people start to laugh as soon as they are mentioned? For years comedians have literally poked fun at the condition and it's sufferers...why?
If you have ever seen hemorrhoids treatments being advertised on TV you'll understand. The common portrayal of somebody slowly trying to sit down whilst wincing does little to encourage laughter but watching the reactions of those sitting in close proximity does,
I don't know why...it just does! Most of people close to the hemorrhoids sufferer are embarrassed and look elsewhere rather than in the sufferers general direction.
What makes hemorrhoids such a difficult complaint to talk about? Why is it that so many people choose to suffer in silence rather than consulting with their doctor?
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are simply swollen veins very similar to the condition of varicose veins. These veins are located within the lining of the lowest part of the rectum and anus and when they become distended they often become piles, another name for hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can be either located inside the bowel (internal hemorrhoids) or around the outside of the anus (external hemorrhoids).
The first sign that many people have that they have hemorrhoids is often after they have struggled emptying their bowel, due to constipation. When wiping themselves they will notice bright red spots on the stool and the paper. For those who have no knowledge of hemorrhoids this can be quite a frightening experience as thoughts of possible horrendous illnesses rush through their minds. The best thing they can do is to visit their doctor as soon as possible so he or she can, in 99.9% of cases, confirm a case of internal piles.
Constipation is regarded as the number one reason for causing hemorrhoids and is, in most cases, the result of poor diet. If, as in the vast majority of cases, all serious medical conditions have been ruled out it is probably time to look at changing your diet and how you live your life, as these will be a major factors in eventually eliminating your hemorrhoids.
As mentioned earlier, constipation is believed to be the main reason most people suffer from hemorrhoids and this is why eating correctly is very important. Including, or increasing the amount of fiber in your diet will ensure any bouts of constipation are kept to the minimum...this isn't as bad as it sounds either as foods that are high in fiber are plentiful, fresh fruit and vegetables as well as cereal and pulses are all excellent fiber providers.
Drinking 8 glasses of water a day as well as a lot of fiber, is vital as it hydrates the body and ensures that stools are soft and therefore easier to pass. If the body is dehydrated it will absorb every bit of water from waste travelling down the intestines towards the bowel making stools extremely hard and difficult to pass. It is understandable now why so many of the older generation used to drink prune juice each morning, high in fiber and water.
As with every diet regime there are foods that need to be avoided or to have their intake drastically reduced, these include dairy products, fatty meats and sugar...yeah I know...all the good stuff! There are many yoghurt now available that contain active cultures and these can also be beneficial, although not always necessary, especially if your bowels are in good working condition.
Natural supplements like psyllium, flaxseed and fenugreek are all easily purchased nowadays and will help maintain regular bowel movements. They all act in the same way as fiber and will keep everything moving along.
So, Can Hemorrhoids be Cured?
I've already mentioned changing diet to include more fiber and less fat and sugar, drinking more water and using supplements as preventative measures or long-term strategies for dealing with hemorrhoids, but there are many other ways that they can be treated including placing ice on them to soothe and shrink them, using over-the-counter shrinking creams, and warm baths etc.etc.
However, if everything you try fails to get rid of the problem you will no doubt be recommended to have the vein/hemorrhoids removed. Doctors will generally refer severe cases to a Proctologist which is the name given to a surgeon or physician that specializes in complaints and diseases of the anal area.
Unfortunately, it seems that surgery is the only "cure" available, and even after a successful surgery there is no guarantee that hemorrhoids will never return, so is it really worth going through all the intrusiveness and the pain that accompanies these procedures...or is there an alternative?
