Thrombosed, prolapsed or bleeding external hemorrhoids are all a living nightmare for anyone experiencing them. However, it seems that prolapsing hemorrhoids get more attention when it comes to natural treatments or surgery than internal ones.
There are very few forms of home treatment for internal hemorrhoids that are openly discussed due to the fact that external hemorrhoids seem to occur more often. Nevertheless, the symptoms of internal ones can be just as excruciatingly painful as those that form outside the anus, and finding the best internal hemorrhoids home treatment definitely becomes a priority for those who are suffering from them.
While internal hemorrhoids treatment over the counter solutions might be tempting for those who want fast relief, you should know that there are plenty of ways to achieve internal hemorrhoids treatment at home. Factors such as diet and exercise are critical for keeping internal hemorrhoids under control, but there are also remedies that can be found in your pantry or fridge almost at any given time.
Before spending lots of money on store-bought creams and pills, take these 10 home options for internal hemorrhoids treatment into consideration.
Please note that these home remedies for internal hemorrhoids treatment are not a cure for a serious medical condition that might or might not require surgery. If your internal hemorrhoids issue persists, immediately reach out to your personal doctor for treatment options.
Before Internal Hemorrhoid Treatment: Understanding the Condition
We all know that hemorrhoids are a pain in the rear, metaphorically and literally. But how do hemorrhoids form?
What are the symptoms that point out you have them? What causes them in the first place?
To get to the root of the problem, you need to understand the condition itself. To put it in a nutshell, hemorrhoids are swollen vessels in the region of the anus. They can occur inside (internal hemorrhoids) or on the outer part of the anus (external hemorrhoids).
Common symptoms of hemorrhoids
When hemorrhoids start to become severe, they result in painful bowel movements and strain in the specific area. Some of the symptoms that hemorrhoids present are:
- Irritation
- Swelling
- Bleeding
- Itching
- Bowel movements become painful
- Discomfort
- Lumps (something uncomfortable)
These are just a few of the symptoms you might experience if you are suffering from hemorrhoids. Specialists point out that there are no proven causes of hemorrhoids, but there are a few factors that could lead to their formation.
Possible causes of hemorrhoids
First of all, like many other conditions, hemorrhoids might be genetic, if your mother or father had them. Secondly, hemorrhoids might come as a result of pregnancy or obesity, but also from following a diet that is low in fiber (you will soon find out that fiber is an important part of internal hemorrhoids treatment).
Additional causes might be anal intercourse, prolonged sitting or any kind of strain while bowel movements take place. Generally speaking, hemorrhoids tend to appear when a lot of strain is put on the rectum from various causes.
Home Remedies for Relief
If you find that you have hemorrhoids, you can find quick relief with the help of numerous home remedies. They not only work for calming down the painful symptoms of hemorrhoids fast but also for long-term relief.
1. Sitz bath
Among individuals who suffer from hemorrhoids, one of the most popular forms of internal hemorrhoids treatment is the sitz bath. For those who aren’t familiar with the term, a sitz bath is a partial bath where just the lower part of the body (namely the hips and the rear) is soaked in warm water.
This is an accessible kind of internal hemorrhoid treatment that any individual can prepare quickly and that won’t increase the hemorrhoid pain in any way. Make sure that the water you use isn’t hot, only warm, and that you soak for approximately fifteen minutes for the effects to take place.
You can optionally add some apple cider vinegar to your sitz bath for a boosted effect. A sitz bath promotes the reduction of inflammation and the relief of general hemorrhoid symptoms.
When you are all done, make sure to gently dry off the area so it won’t remain moist. If you leave your skin wet, irritation might increase afterwards.
2. Lemon juice
As far as home remedies for internal hemorrhoids treatment are concerned, another safe and common alternative is to use lemon juice. This home option will work both for external and internal hemorrhoids, so you can use it for any of these situations.
For internal hemorrhoids, you can use lemon juice orally in one of two main ways. You can take some lemon, mint and ginger juice (half a teaspoon each) and combine them, adding honey to taste at the end. Drink the mixture one time a day for relief.
A fast internal hemorrhoids treatment with lemons is to juice half of one and add it to a cup of heated milk. It is recommended that you drink it several times a day for the positive effects to occur.
3. Probiotics
Another great natural alternative for internal hemorrhoids treatment is taking probiotics. You can either go for supplements, but we recommend that you boost your intake of foods that are high in probiotics.
You can tailor your diet to include more yogurt or other fermented options, such as cheese. As a brief description, probiotics are the ‘good’ kind of bacteria that can help you obtain balance in your gut.
They also are known for relieving constipation (one of the reasons why hemorrhoids become painful) and for supporting your general health. If you don’t like consuming fermented foods, you can consider probiotic supplements, but make sure that they are from a reliable source.
4. Exercise
A solution for internal hemorrhoids treatment that won’t cost you a dime is simply to exercise more. Sitting down for long periods of time can be one of the causes of hemorrhoids to begin with, so a fantastic way to combat this and stay in shape at the same time is simply to boost the amount of exercise you get.
Being active will not only help you battle hemorrhoids, but it will also help you maintain your overall health and well-being. This is a particularly helpful home option for internal hemorrhoids treatment for individuals who are overweight or obese.
5. Radish juice
A home remedy that is not that well-known but that has proven to be effective for hemorrhoids time and time again is radish juice. It is said that they can reduce inflammation and other painful symptoms associated with hemorrhoids, no matter if they are internal or external.
Try drinking half a cup of radish juice two times a daily to gain relief. We recommend that you repeat this remedy for quite some time, as it will also aid in prevention, as well as curing.
6. Just do it
The famous slogan also applies for internal hemorrhoids treatment. If you feel the need to go, just go. Holding it in will result in increased pain and uncomfortable bowel movements, so it’s best to get to the bathroom as soon as you feel the need to use it.
Try not to put too much strain on yourself during bowel movements, because any pressure might make your hemorrhoids situation worse. It is best to do so naturally and when your body tells you to.
7. Apple cider vinegar
As with countless other conditions, diseases or illnesses, apple cider vinegar really is miraculous for internal hemorrhoids treatment. Apple cider vinegar has countless properties and health benefits that will support your general health in addition to treating and preventing hemorrhoids.
If internal hemorrhoids are your problem you can take one regular glass of water (around eight ounces) and put one teaspoon of ACV in it. Mix well and drink two times every day, at least. If you feel that the taste is too strong, add a bit of honey to make it easier to wash down.
Individuals with external hemorrhoids can use apple cider vinegar topically, by dabbing a cotton pad soaked in apple cider vinegar to the painful area. It might be a bit uncomfortable at first, but it will lead to a reduction in irritation and relief.
8. Aloe vera
Just like apple cider vinegar, aloe vera is used in numerous home remedies for various health issues. When it comes to treatment for hemorrhoids, aloe vera can also be used for internal and external hemorrhoids alike.
For internal hemorrhoids treatment, simply consume aloe vera juice on a daily basis (which is actually quite delicious). It is encouraged that you drink 8 oz. of aloe vera juice every day for the results to appear.
For external use, extract the gel from an aloe vera leaf and apply it directly to the painful area, very slowly massaging it in for the skin to absorb the gel.
9. Fiber
Fiber is a fundamental addition for your diet if you are suffering from hemorrhoids, regardless if they’re external or internal. Foods that are rich in fiber – such as vegetables, whole grains or fruits – can soften your stool and make bowel movements visibly more comfortable. Fiber-packed foods will also reduce the risk of constipation, one of the causes of strain on your anus.
There are plenty of foods full of fiber available, especially bran. For example, just one ounce of raw corn bran contains a whopping 22 grams of fiber. You can also enjoy some cooked adzuki beans, elderberries or whole wheat spaghetti as tasty alternatives.
10. Water in abundance
Last but certainly not least, water is essential for combatting internal hemorrhoids. Specialists recommend that you drink at least eight full glasses of water every day, but individuals suffering from hemorrhoids should bump up their water intake to around ten glasses per day.
Drinking water will help soften your stool (just like fiber) and will promote other healthy processes in your body. A lack of hydration will lead to the painful bowel movements generally associated with hemorrhoids, so try to drink as much water as you can on a daily basis to keep your whole body happy and healthy.
The Final Word
Dealing with hemorrhoids of any type is frustrating and painful. However, internal hemorrhoid issues are often even more so annoying since many over the counter treatments are for external issues only.
If you have internal hemorrhoid issues, then you should be happy to see this long list of options you can try to find relief. Make sure that you read each entry carefully before trying it.
Also, remember that persistent issues need to be seen by a doctor to rule out something more serious. Sometimes, the only cure is surgery, so if these remedies do not give you relief, then make sure to see your doctor for additional help.