Hemorrhoids

Diet and Nutrition: (references)

• Reduce all fats, especially saturated fats (animal products)
• Eat more high-fiber foods
• Avoid chocolate, coffee, colas, spicy foods, fried foods and salty foods
• Eliminate sugar, white flour, and all refined foods
• Drink large amounts of filtered water every day (6-8 glasses)
• Eat lots of blueberries, cherries, and blackberries

Vitamins and Minerals: (references)

• Vitamin A: 25,000 I.U.
• Vitamin C: 2 - 5 gm.
• Vitamin E: 800 I.U.
• Vitamin B-Complex: take vitamin complex according to B6 dosage -100 mg.
• Choline: 1 gm.
• Selenium: 200 - 300 mcg.
• Zinc: 45 mg.
• Copper: 2 - 4 mg.

Supplements: (references)

• L-Methionine: 1 gm.
• Quercetin: 500 - 1000 mg. TID between meals
• Omega-3 Fatty Acids: 1 - 5 gm. TID
• Omega-6 Fatty Acids: 500 mg. TID
• Fiber: 5 - 45 gm. taken in divided doses with 12 ounces of water at meal time

Botanicals: (references)

• Dry Herbs - *Collinsonia canadensis (314 mg.), Ruscus aculeatus (236 mg.), *Hamamelis virginiana (156 mg.), *Achillea millefolium (156 mg.), *Cinnamomum spp. (156 mg.), *Aesculus hippocastanum (78 mg.), *Corydalis bulbosa (34 mg.): 1 capsule TID

• Individual botanicals to be considered for this condtion:
  Achillea millefolium (Yarrow)
  Aesculus hippocastanum (Horsechestnut)
  Arctostaphylos uva ursi (Bearberry)
  Centella asiatica (Gota kola)
  Cinnamomum saigonicum (Saigon cinnamon, Ceylon cinnamon)
  Collinsonia canadensis (Stone root)
  Corydalis bulbosa (Corydalis)
  Hamamelis virginiana (Witch hazel)
  Hypericum perforatum (St. John's wort)
  Linum usitatissimum (Flax, Linseed)
  Ruscus aculeatus (Butcher's broom)
  Stillingia sylvatica (Queen's root, Queen's delight)

Homeopathic Remedies: (references)

• General hemorrhoids:
  Aesc., Agar., Aloe, Ars., Carb-An., Carb-V., Caust., Coll., Graph., Ham., Kali-Ar., Kali-C., Kali-S., Lach., Lyc., Merc-Ir., Mur-Ac., Nit-Ac., Nux-V., Paeon., Phos., Puls., Rat., Sep., Sulph.
• Hemorrhoids in alcoholics:
  Ars., Carb-V., Lach., Nux-V., Sul-Ac., Sulph.
• Hemorrhoids since childbirth:
  Aloe., Ign., Kali-C., Lil-T., Mur-Ac., Podo., Puls., Sep., Sulph.
• Chronic hemorrhoids:
  Aesc., Coll., Ham., Merc-I-R., Nux-V., Sulph.
• External hemorrhoids:
  Aesc., Aloe, Ham., Lach., Mur-Ac., Rat., Sulph.
• Internal hemorrhoids:
  Aesc., Aloe, Ars., Brom., Cham., Coloc., Ham., Ign., Nux-V., Podo., Puls., Sulph.
• Protruding like grapes:
  Aesc., Aloe., Carb-V., Caust., Coll., Dios., Mur-Ac., Nux-V.

(For an overview of Homeopathy, click here.)   

Other Therapies: (references)

• Warm sitz baths (100 - 105°F)
• No smoking
• Daily exercise (walking, cycling, yoga, etc.)
• Don't sit too long at one time
• Use cotton or cloth swabs instead of toilet paper
• Use a damp washcloth to apply granulated sugar to the hemorrhoid

Recommended Labs:

• Check for hemorrhoids: Anoscopy
• Rule out anal fissure: Anoscopy
• Rule out anal fistula: Anoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy
• Rule out colorectal cancer: Colonoscopy, Guiac, Barium Enema, Transrectal Ultrasound, CT of Abdomen and Pelvis, CEA, Biopsy
• Rule out condyloma acuminata: Acetowhitening, Biopsy
• Rule out pedunculated polyp: Colonoscopy, Guiac
• Rule out perianal abcess: Anoscopy
• Rule out pruritus ani: Stool Acidity
• Rule out rectal prolapse: Rectal Exam, Sigmoidoscopy, Barium Enema, Anorectal Manometry

*  The recommended use of this supplement or therapy is based on a physiological mechanism or empirical data and is not necessarily supported by peer-reviewed research studies.

Copyright 1998 - 2008 by L. Vicky Crouse, ND and James S. Reiley, ND. All rights reserved (ISSN 1527-0661).