| | | | Other Names | | | Hemorrhoid, Haemorrhoid, Haemorrhoids, Piles, Bleeding Piles.
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| | | These are varicosities of the veins in the anus and lower rectum.
Hemorrhoids can be either internal or external. When external,
they appear as small veinous clusters, which can be of widely variable
sizes, located near the anus. If internal, they are usually discovered
after complications or a medical examination. Hemorrhoids may also be
symptoms of other aliments.
Pain, itching and burning, especially
following bowel evacuation, are common symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Complications, such as bleeding and thromboses, can also occur. With the
former, red blood appears after evacuation. In the latter case, sudden
violent pain occurs. Remember that thromboses and hemorrhoids are clots
within the veins, and so they warrant immediate medical attention.
Hemorrhoids can be caused by heredity, lack of exercise, chronic
constipation, stress, spices, alcohol, coffee, and excessive effort while
evacuating. Pregnant women are often subject to
hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are enlarged raised veins in the anus or
rectum. Common hemorrhoids are often linked to both diarrhea1 and
constipation.
Although the belief that hemorrhoids are caused by
constipation has been questioned by researchers,2 most doctors feel that
many hemorrhoids are triggered by the straining that accompanies chronic
constipation.3 Therefore, natural approaches to hemorrhoids sometimes
focus on overcoming constipation.
What are the symptoms of
hemorrhoids? Symptoms of hemorrhoids may include painful swelling or a
lump in the anus that can bleed and become inflamed, often causing
discomfort and itching. There may also be bright red blood on the toilet
paper, the stool, or in the toilet bowl.
Conventional Treatment
Options: Conventional treatment includes the use of rectal
suppositories, stool softeners, topical preparations (Anusol, Preparation
Hr, Hemoridr), and medicated wipes (Tucks). Surgical treatment may be
recommended for hemorrhoids that become very enlarged, protrude from the
anus (prolapse), bleed frequently, or contain blood clots (thrombosis).
Common procedures include freezing the affected tissue (cryotherapy),
injecting chemicals into the hemorrhoid to shrink it (sclerosing
solutions), surgically removing the hemorrhoid (hemorrhoidectomy), or
placing rubber bands around the hemorrhoid for removal
(ligation).
Dietary changes that may be helpful: Populations
in which fiber intake is high have a very low incidence of hemorrhoids.
Insoluble fiber-the kind found primarily in whole grains and
vegetables-increases the bulk of stool. Drinking water with a high-fiber
meal or a fiber supplement results in softer, bulkier stools, which can
move more easily. As a result, most doctors believe that fiber in
combination with increased intake of liquids helps to treat people with
hemorrhoids. Nonetheless, few clinical trials compare the effects of fiber
supplementation against the effects of placebo in hemorrhoid
sufferers.
Nutritional supplements that may be helpful: A
number of flavonoids have been shown to have anti-inflammatory effects
and/or to strengthen blood vessels. These effects could, in theory, be
beneficial for people with hemorrhoids. Most,4 5 6 7 but not all,8
double-blind trials using a group of semisynthetic flavonoids
(hydroxyethylrutosides derived from rutin) have demonstrated significant
improvements in itching, bleeding, and other symptoms associated with
hemorrhoids when people used supplements of 600-4,000 mg per
day.
Other trials have evaluated Daflon, a product containing the
food-derived flavonoids diosmin (90%) and hesperidin (10%). An
uncontrolled trial reported that Daflon produced symptom relief in
two-thirds of pregnant women with hemorrhoids.9 Double-blind trials have
produced conflicting results about the effects of Daflon in people with
hemorrhoids.10 11 Amounts of flavonoids used in Daflon trials ranged from
1,000 to 3,000 mg per day. Diosmin and hesperidin are available separately
as dietary supplements.
Some doctors recommend flavonoid
supplements for people with hemorrhoids. However, many different
flavonoids occur in food and supplements, and additional research is
needed to determine which flavonoids are most effective against
hemorrhoids.
Are there any side effects or interactions?
Refer to the individual supplement for information about any side effects
or interactions.
Herbs that may be helpful: Constipation is
believed to worsen hemorrhoid symptoms, and thus, bulk-forming fibers are
often recommended for those with hemorrhoids. A double-blind trial
reported that 7 grams of psyllium, an herb high in fiber, taken three
times daily reduced the pain and bleeding associated with hemorrhoids.12
Some healthcare professionals recommend taking two tablespoons of psyllium
seeds or 1 teaspoon of psyllium husks two or three times per day mixed
with water or juice. It is important to maintain adequate fluid intake
while using psyllium.
Topically applied astringent herbs have been
used traditionally as a treatment for hemorrhoids. A leading astringent
herb for topical use is witch hazel,13 which is typically applied to
hemorrhoids three or four times per day in an ointment base.
Horse
chestnut extracts have been reported from a double-blind trial to reduce
symptoms of hemorrhoids.14 Some doctors recommend taking horse chestnut
seed extracts standardized for aescin (also known as escin) content
(16-21%), or an isolated aescin preparation, providing 90 to 150 mg of
aescin per day.
Are there any side effects or
interactions? Refer to the individual herb for information about any
side effects or interactions.
References:
1. Johanson
JF, Sonnenberg A. Constipation is not a risk factor for hemorrhoids: a
case-control study of potential etiological agents. Am J Gastroenterol
1994;89:1981-6.
2. Johanson JF, Sonnenberg A. The prevalence of
hemorrhoids and chronic constipation. Gastroenterology
1990;98:380-6.
3. Deutsch AA, Kaufman Z, Reiss R. Hemorrhoids: a
plea for nonsurgical treatment. Isr J Med Sci 1980;16:649-54.
4.
Sinnatamby CS. The treatment of hemorrhoids. Role of
hydroxyethylrutosides, troxerutin (Paroven; Varmoid; Venoruton). Clin
Trials J 1973;2:45-50.
5. Clyne MB, Freeling P, Ginsborg S.
Troxerutin in the treatment of haemorrhoids. Practitioner
1967;198:420-3.
6. Annoni F, Boccasanta P, Chiurazzi D, et al.
Treatment of acute symptoms of hemorrhoid disease with high-dose oral
O-(beta-hydroxyethyl)-rutosides. Minerva Med 1986;77:1663-8 [in
Italian].
7. Wijayanegara H, Mose JC, Achmad L, et al. A clinical
trial of hydroxyethylrutosides in the treatment of haemorrhoids of
pregnancy. J Int Med Res 1992;20:54-60.
8. Thorp RH, Hughes ESR. A
clinical trial of trihydroxyethylrutoside ("Varemoid") in the treatment of
hemorrhoids. Med J Aust 1970;2:1076-8.
9. Buckshee K, Takkar D,
Aggarwal N. Micronized flavonoid therapy in internal hemorrhoids of
pregnancy. Int J Gynaecol Obstet 1997;57:145-51.
10. Cospite M.
Double-blind, placebo-controlled evaluation of clinical activity and
safety of Daflon 500 mg in the treatment of acute hemorrhoids. Angiology
1994;45:566-73.
11. Thanapongsathorn W, Vajrabukka T. Clinical
trial of oral diosmin (Daflon) in the treatment of hemorrhoids. Dis Colon
Rectum 1992;35:1085-8.
12. Moesgaard F, Nielsen ML, Hansen JB,
Knudsen JT. High-fiber diet reduces bleeding and pain in patients with
hemorrhoids. Dis Colon Rectum 1982;25:454-6.
13. Wichtl M. Herbal
Drugs and Phytopharmaceuticals. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press, 1994,
268-70.
14. Nini G, Di Cicco CO. Controlled clinical evaluation of
a new anti-hemorrhoid drug, using a completely randomized experimental
plan. Clin Ther 1978;86:545-59 [in Italian].
Source: NOW Foods
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Please Note: This Traditional Use information is provided as a courtesy only. The products indicated above may be listed in error. This information is based on Traditional and Folklore Medicine which uses natural materials to support health. This information has not been evaluated or approved by the FDA and is not based on scientific evidence from any source. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). These products are intended to support general well being and are not intended to treat, diagnose, mitigate, prevent, or cure any condition or disease. If conditions persist, please seek advice from your medical doctor.
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Hemorrhoids - Health - Bilberry - 40 mg
60 capsules
13.89 US
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Hemorrhoids - Health - Bilberry - 100:1 - STD 25% - 40 mg
60 capsules
18.79 US
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Hemorrhoids - Health - Bilberry Extract - 40 mg
60 capsules
18.09 US
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Hemorrhoids - Health - Bilberry Extract Phytolipid Complex - 100 mg
60 capsules
19.22 US
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Hemorrhoids - Health - Bilberry Leaf - 350 mg
100 capsules
14.09 US
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Hemorrhoids - Health - Bilberry Standardized Extract 100:1 - 25% Anthocyanidin - 160 mg
100 capsules
14.98 US
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