Haemorrhoids/Piles
I suffer badly from haemorrhoids which swell and prolapse, but rarely itch and bleed. Can you suggest anything that will help?
Haemorrhoids are badly swollen veins located both around the anus and along the very lowest portion of the colon, in the rectum. Those that are external are commonly known as 'piles.'
The condition is unique to humans - no other animal has this problem - and since up to 75% of all adults in the Western world will suffer from them at some time, the cause is believed to be predominantly dietary.
Constipation can exacerbate the problem, so you need to step up the amount of fibre in your diet by eating more fresh fruits and vegetables. Psyllium or linseeds can also help. They work by softening stools so you do not strain, and drinking enough water (at least eight glasses a day) will do the same job.
Foods that are rich in vitamin K, which helps prevent internal bleeding and supports healthy circulation, will also help. These include yoghurt, alfalfa, fish liver oils, green leafy vegetables, and the seaweed, kelp.
Rutin is a bioflavanoid, and one of some 500 compounds that give citrus fruits and vegetables their colourings. All bioflavanoids help improve the strength of the body’s small blood vessels and capillaries, but rutin has been singled out by natural healers and has now been shown to have antivaricosity and anti-inflammatory properties. For haemorrhoids, take one 500mg capsule, twice a day.