Homeopathic Treatment
Before delving into homeopathic treatment let us first discuss the conventional or allopathic treatment available.
Modern medicine offers a range of ointments to treat hemorrhoids. These contain local anesthetics, astringents or steroids which may provide short-term relief from discomfort but are associated with serious side effects like eczema, sensitization of anal mucosa, rectal absorption and other systematic side effects.
Most importantly these ointments do not cure the underlying cause which have led to the problem. As a result, piles or hemorrhoids are not treated permanently and the problem remains.
Surgical options include infrared coagulation or cauterization, radio frequency coagulation, hemorrhoidectomy, direct current coagulation, rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, cryosurgery, scalpel surgery, laser surgery.
Most of the above surgical options have side effects in the form of severe post-operative pain, infection, bleeding, formation of adhesions (scar tissue), perineal abscess, development of fistula. And again, the underlying causes are not treated which lead to recurrence.
Homeopathy is an amazing alternative to the above-mentioned conventional medicinal or surgical treatments. The best part is remedies correct the basic cause of piles i.e. hepatoportal hypertension.
Hepatoportal circulation is the network blood vessels supplying the liver and the intestines. When there is congestion in the liver, blood pressure in hepatoportal circulation rises giving rise to hepatoportal hypertension. This leads to swelling of blood vessels in the region of rectum and anus called hemorrhoids or piles. The swelling occurs in this region because this is the area of anastomosis or joint and is therefore weak. When the pressure rises too much the blood vessels may break leading to bleeding or hemorrhage.
Why go for surgery which is a complicated procedure disturbing physical, mental, emotional and economical planes when there is simple, gentle option in the form of homeopathy.
Homeopathy is not against surgery which is an art and science in itself. Surgery is called forth in conditions where medicines have limited or no role. As hemorrhoids have excellent permanent treatment in homeopathy, surgery is not indicated at all. It offers logical, safe and extremely effective remedies.
Once the patient starts taking the medicines, from the very first day his symptomatology gradually starts improving, relieving the embarrassing anal itching, the intensity of pain, burning in and around anus, soiling of clothes, bleeding during stools and so on.
There are 278 medicines which give great relief in piles. However, the correct choice and the resulting relief is a matter of experience and right judgment on the part of the doctor. The treatment is decided after thorough case taking of the patient. Thus, homeopathic remedies are tailormade unlike allopathy.
Some of the remedies which may be used under an expert physcian are Aesculus, Aloe, Collinsonia, Hammamelis, Lachesis, Muratic acid, Nitric acid, Nux vomica and so on.
For example, Aesculus hippocastanum is used in cases with large, painful, protruding hemorrhoids or piles. Aloe socotrina is used in piles like bunch of grapes which get better by cold bathing.
The duration of treatment varies from person to person depending upon the condition of the patient, lifestyle, eating habits and so on. Usually it takes 8 to 12 months, though the patient starts feeling better within two to three weeks of treatment.
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What are Hemorrhoids or Piles
Hemorrhoids are one of the most common ailments. But most of the people suffer in silence rather than discuss with their doctor.
Hemorrhoids are varicose veins of the rectum or anus and are often called piles. These are actually enlarged bunch of blood vessels in and around the anus or rectum.
These generally develop over a period of time and come on during the middle and later stages of life, and especially during pregnancy. You may suffer from them, of course, when you are young but generally, they come on gradually from the age of about 30.
Piles can cause long-lasting discomfort, bleeding and be excruciatingly painful.
Causes
- Chronic constipation.
- Obesity.
- Jobs requiring heavy lifting.
- Standing or sitting for long periods.
- Straining from constipation or diarrhea.
- Coughing, sneezing, vomiting, and holding one’s breath while straining to do physical labor.
- Congestion of liver leading to increased hepatoportal hypertension.
Symptoms
- Anal itching and discharge can cause perianal irritation and itching.
- Anal ache or pain.
- Bright red blood on toilet tissue, stool or in toilet bevel. Excessive hemorrhoidal bleeding can cause anemia.
- Pain or tenderness during bowel movements.
- Prolapse occurs with a bowel movement; and is associated with an uncomfortable sensation of fullness and incomplete evacuation.
- Patients complain of one or more hard tender lumps near the anus.
- Soiling of clothes may occur in third or forth degree hemorrhoids as a result of impaired continence or production of mucus discharge.
- Symptoms may vary with conditions such as pregnancy, repeated straining, or change in diet or work patterns.
- Forth degree piles may become strangulated and present with acute severe pain. Progressive venous engorgement and incarceration of the acutely inflamed hemorrhoids leads to thrombosis and infarction.
Types
Internal piles
These you cannot see or feel and the first indication you have them is when they bleed. Any bleeding of bright red blood from the back passage must be investigated as other causes are tumors and pathology of lower bowels.
Prolapsed Piles or Hemorrhoids
In these the actual varicose veins hang out and can be very painful. They may not come out until you have a bowel movement and the pain associated with them will only be relieved if they are returned inside the anus or rectum. Prolapsed piles that stay out can strangulate. This produces an acute situation which can be very dangerous and is a medical emergency.
External Hemorrhoids
These lie outside the anal opening. They are masses of veins found underneath the skin at the anus. They cause itching, burning and irritation. When a blood clot form in an external pile, the skin around the anus becomes inflamed and a very painful lump develops. On rare occasions the clot will begin to bleed after a few days and leave blood on the under garments.
Lab Investigations
- Physical examination of the anal canal by the doctor with the help of proctoscope.
- Sigmoidoscopy.
- Colonoscopy.
- Barium x-ray.
Massage in Hemorrhoids
This technique moves matter through the intestines, helping to prevent the constipation that contributes to piles.
Lie on your back, and use your fingers or your palm to make long, sweeping strokes. Repeat each stroke three to six times. Begin on your left side. Just below your ribs, stroke towards your feet; then stroke across your abdomen from the right to left just below your rib cage. Finally, point your fingertips towards your feet, and drag your hand up your right side from pelvis to ribs.
Diet & Nutrition
A diet adequate in fibre, consisting of fresh fruits, vegetables, whole-grain cereals and bran should be taken. Drinking 10 to 12 glasses of fluids daily is very important.
One should avoid diet rich in refined or junk foods.
A low-fibre diet or inadequate fluid intake causes constipation, which contributes to hemorrhoids in two ways: It encourages straining to have a bowel movement, and it also aggravates the piles by producing hard stools that further irritate the swollen veins.
Excessive salt in the diet causes fluid retention, which means swelling in all veins, including hemorrhoids.
Home Remedies
It is important to get into the habit of answering the CALL OF NATURE so that stools are passed easily without much strain.
Try not to sit for hours at a time. Take breaks and move around every hour for at least 5 minutes.
When performing any task that requires exertion, be sure to breathe evenly.
Regular exercise is also important, especially if you work a sedentary job. Exercise helps in several ways: Keeping weight in check, making constipation less likely, and enhancing muscle tone.
As you grow older it is wise to have a regular examination of your rectum and anus to eliminate the possibility of cancer or malignancy appearing in association with long-standing hemorrhoids.