Haemorrhoids also commonly known by the name of “Piles”, is a disease of the venous system. These are swollen veins in and around the anal opening and lower rectum. Haemorrhoids or piles are extremely painful and may hamper day to day activity of an individual. Hence, it is very important to hinder its progress as soon as the first symptom manifests.

Today, we will learn more about haemorrhoids, their development, and management through homoeopathy. A deeper look into the obvious causes of haemorrhoids reflect the importance of maintaining good gut health and lifestyle to prevent the development and progress of piles. Hence, the integrative approach has a vital role to play and support the management of haemorrhoids.

Causes for development of haemorrhoids or piles:

The main causes and predisposing factors resulting in the formation of haemorrhoids are the ones that cause too much pressure on the lower rectum or intra-abdomen because of which tissues that support the veins around the anus weakens. We need to understand that anything that will lead to excessive stretching of anal veins will enhance the chances of piles. To mention few of them are:

1. Chronic constipation ( as there is too much straining to void the stool, also hard stool exerts pressure while passing the rectum & anal canal).
2. Prolonged sitting lifestyle ( results in stasis of venous blood and leads to a maintained pressure on veins around the anus).
3. Obesity is a major cause. Obesity occurs due to a faulty lifestyle including diet, physical activity, and slow metabolism. Obesity in turn precipitates many lifestyle disorders one of them being Piles.
4. IBD ( Inflammatory Bowel Disease )
5. Pregnancy ( intra-abdominal pressure increases )

As the etiology of haemorrhoids indicates, they are largely dependent on the lifestyle and can be managed very well by a holistic integrative approach of homeopathy with necessary dietary changes. The use of steroids, local anesthetic to reduce pain, cauterization, and ligation are short-term palliative treatments. At this hour we need a cure to lead a healthy life and reverse the harm we have done through faulty lifestyle.

Types of haemorrhoids & their stages:

1. Internal haemorrhoid
2. External haemorrhoidTypes of haemorrhoids & their stages:

Internal haemorrhoids are the ones found in the rectum. They are not visible as they are deep within the rectal tissue. These are considered not so serious and disappear after sometimes on their own, only a few cases need treatment. They manifest themselves with general symptoms of pain, discomfort, itching around the region of their presence, and noticeable swelling when the size increases. You can always see a trained physician if the discomfort rises.

External haemorrhoids are located on the anus, not always visible but sometimes felt as a lump on the surface as the anal skin is thin and sensitive. They are visible as a bunch of swelling and bluish-purple discoloration. Symptoms of external haemorrhoids are more grave than internal haemorrhoids and they mostly cause bleeding along with pain and discomfort. People often fear looking at the fresh blood discharged through the swelled veins but don’t panic instead seek proper treatment without a delay.

Management of haemorrhoids:

Haemorrhoids are usually diagnosed when they have already been familiar with us for years, I mean you get aware of its existence when it is already chronic ( that has lasted for a long time). So, once you know you are suffering from piles it is important to manage it with an integrative approach with homoeopathy, which supports cure and not palliation and inculcates a holistic lifestyle. We will look at it one by one.

Scope of homoeopathy:

Homoeopathy a system of medicine having its origin dated back to 1796, supports a holistic approach and believes in the overall wellness of man including the body, spirit, and mind. Homoeopathy works on forming a symptom similarity between the sufferer ( symptoms of diseases & mental state of the person) and the drug picture.

Master Hahnemann after hard work of 12 years finally introduced “The theory of chronic diseases”, where he puts in the importance of removing the root cause so there is no recurrence of chronic diseases and it can be uprooted once and for all. Haemorrhoids lie in the same category of chronic diseases, he categorized the causes for chronic diseases into 3 wide groups of psora, sycosis, & syphilis and called them collectively “miasm“.

Haemorrhoids fall in the group of psoro-sycotic miasm which may progress into syphilitic if left untreated, which is a severe stage. Hence, homoeopathy principle deals with the symptoms classified in a well-arranged manner derive the reason for the origin of such disturbances that shifted the balance or harmony of the vital force and finds the lingering miasma to generate a similimum (remedy). You can see it is a step-by-step process and no one can jump from first to the last one, thus homoeopathy has a great importance of case taking. There’s a saying- ” A case well taken is the half cure”.

Homoeopathic remedies for haemorrhoids are varied and the right one for you can be suggested by your homoeopath with the doses to start the action and relieve you of the suffering. Some important homeopathic remedies for piles are:

• Aesculus hippocastanum
• Nux vomica
• Aloe socotrina
• Graphites
• Calcarea fluor
• Phosphorous

Lifestyle changes:

Of all the changes you are asked to make for your haemorrhoids, the most important one is dietary changes. Your gut health is important. Keeping it clean and healthy is the key to the management of haemorrhoids. Eat more fibers and fruits, try to keep the source natural. You can’t neglect hydration if you want good and healthy bowel movements. Avoid spicy and oily foods it will cause much burning, flatulence and add to the suffering.

Don’t restrict your bowel movements and attend nature’s call as soon as it arrives, don’t try to play with your body clock. Plan a work schedule that doesn’t include long sitting hours. Remember wake up, shake up and keep moving at intervals for healthy living.

Haemorrhoids are quite painful at times and won’t allow you to concentrate on your work. Hence, choose to not let it grow or if it has bloomed, choose homoeopathy and integrative approach to get rid of the suffering.