Tag Archives: hemorrhoids myth

Treating Hemorrhoids With Witch Hazel: The Rundown | Minnesota

July 3, 2018 admin

No, witch hazel isn’t some concoction brewed in a cauldron—but it most certainly can have beneficial health effects, especially on pesky hemorrhoids.

One of history’s most powerful natural healing agents, witch hazel has long existed as an anti-inflammatory compound. Dating back hundreds of years, it was used by both Native Americans and European settlers to reduce inflammation and bleeding within the body, and has since been touted for its natural astringent properties. Witch hazel has been an effective at-home remedy to treat hemorrhoid discomfort, yeast infections and acne.

In essence, witch hazel derives from the leaves and bark of the North American witch-hazel, Hamamelis virginiana. Its healing properties come from tannic acid, a chemical that can help constrict and cool the blood vessels and skin at the end of the rectum, which in turn reduces swelling and bleeding.

How Do You Use Witch Hazel?

Witch hazel can be purchased in liquid form or ointment form. Apply a pea-sized amount directly to the hemorrhoid three times daily AND after every bowel movement.

Witch hazel can also be found in products like hemorrhoidal pads and medicated wipes. For best results, use witch hazel products after taking a sitz bath (soaking the affected area in warm water for 10-15 minutes).

Are There Any Potential Risks or Side Effects?

Stomach discomfort may result if witch hazel is taken orally. Very rarely, topical witch hazel (applied directly to the skin) can cause inflammation. Overall, witch hazel is considered to be safe.

Keep in mind that while witch hazel can help alleviate hemorrhoid pain, it’s mostly used for basic, non-severe hemorrhoids. In the case of severe hemorrhoids or increased hemorrhoid flare-ups, witch hazel might not prove as effective. It is extremely important that anyone who suffers from hemorrhoid discomfort visits a doctor for a full evaluation or follow-up even after seeing signs of improvement from using witch hazel. Home remedies certainly help with symptoms, but it’s always best to see a doctor for a complete, thorough treatment method.

Posted in Hemorrhoid, Hemorrhoid Care, hemorrhoid clinic, hemorrhoid doctor, Hemorrhoid treatment, Hemorrhoid treatments, Hemorrhoids | Tagged Tagged Anal itching, hemorrhoid during pregnancy, Hemorrhoid Minneapolis, Hemorrhoid MN, Hemorrhoid St. Paul, Hemorrhoids Minneapolis, hemorrhoids myth, hemorrhoids Twin Cities

The Elephant Foot Yam: a Potential Future Hemorrhoid Treatment? | Minnesota

August 1, 2017 admin

Amorphophallus paeoniifolius, or the elephant foot yam, when cut in half, looks exactly like it’s described: an elephant foot. While it’s not a pretty looking root, there may be more than meets the eye with this humble looking root. Basically, the elephant foot yam is this wide-spread vegetable is grown in places in Africa, Southeast Asia, and tropical Pacific islands. It’s almost unheard of in America for the most part, but in the areas it is cultivated, such as India, it is often fried or cooked into delicious curries.

However, not only is it prized for its subtle, mild, taste, but it’s also coveted for its medicinal effects by those who study alternative and traditional medicine. Like many health superfoods it has a reputation for being a cure-all, with a wide variety of positive health benefits ranging from lowering cholesterol to treating diabetes to “detoxification”. While some of these unsubstantiated claims might make you roll your eyes, don’t dismiss the elephant root yam just yet- when it comes to hemorrhoids, research suggests that yam could be answer.

A recent paper from the Regional Ayurveda Research Institute suggests that extracts of the Amorphophallus paeoniifolius tuber could be effective in treating hemorrhoids. In the paper, published in the Journal of Ethnopharmacology, researchers searching for potential new drugs induced hemorrhoids in rats using croton oil, a foul smelling oil made from the seeds of the Asian croton tree. Once the rats had developed hemorrhoids, indicated by the inflamed tissue and the presence of blue dyes added by the researchers, they administered various kinds of extracts of the root as well as normal hemorrhoid medication from the drugstore. The results were quite interesting- the root resulted in reductions in hemorrhoid size and inflammation comparable to that of the medication. There was a clear healing effect observed, as the control group with no medication saw no reductions in hemorrhoid size or inflammation.

Of course, there is a long way to go before a marketable drug or even clinical testing on humans is possible, but this study could certainly result in lot of interesting follow up research. While the mechanism of how the tuber’s healing effects are not exactly known, an analysis of the compounds within the tuber give some hints as to what the secret of the tuber is. Various flavonoids and phenolic compounds were found that could potentially explain the root’s anti-inflammatory and curative effects on hemorrhoids. While no one should be holding their breath waiting for a miracle hemorrhoid drug coming anytime soon, these studies show the enormous potential of this native plant and sheds light on an interesting and uncommon medical field. In the meantime, make sure you get enough daily fiber.

Posted in External Hemorrhoid, Hemorrhoid, hemorrhoid clinic, hemorrhoid doctor, Hemorrhoid treatment, Hemorrhoidectomy, Hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids | Tagged Tagged Anal itching, Hemorrhoid Minneapolis, Hemorrhoid MN, Hemorrhoid St. Paul, Hemorrhoids Minneapolis, hemorrhoids myth, hemorrhoids Twin Cities, Infrared coagulation, IRC treatment, recovery of hemorrhoid treatment, Rectal Bleeding, Rectal Pain

Hemorrhoids and Pregnancy | Minensota

July 19, 2017 admin

Hemorrhoids are very common complaints during pregnancy. It afflicts 20 to 50 percent of all pregnant women in Minnesota. Pregnancy changes your body in more ways than you might think. Why does pregnancy make women more prone to hemorrhoids? There are several reasons on it.

1. Hemorrhoids are a type of venous disease similar to varicose veins; it is surely not perfect designing in its anatomy and physiology with intrinsic defects.

2. The enlarging uterus plus increased blood flow put pressure on the pelvic veins and other large veins that increases the pressure on the veins and causes them to become more dilated.

3. Constipation is another common problem during pregnancy, which can also aggravate hemorrhoids due to the straining.

4. An increase in progesterone hormone during pregnancy causes the walls of hemorrhoidal veins to relax, allowing them to swell more easily. Moreover, progesterone slows down women’s digestive tract and contributes to constipation.

5. The pushing process involved in labor also makes the existing hemorrhoids worse.

Many women in the Minneapolis and St Paul areas develop the new hemorrhoids during their pregnancy; others have the preexisting hemorrhoids even before they get pregnant. Some women get them in the first pregnant, others get recurrent hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids usually get worse in the third trimester, right after labor pushing or if you develop constipation.

The typical hemorrhoids symptoms during pregnancy are anal itching, rectal bleeding, pain, and bulging out. The good news is that hemorrhoids will begin to improve soon after giving birth.
The most conservative hemorrhoid treatments are usually prescribed for hemorrhoids occurring during pregnancy and soon after childbirth. Local application of over-the-counter ointments, fiber supplements, Sitz bath and cold packs are often sufficient to relieve the symptoms. If the patients develop the hemorrhoid complications, commonly painful thrombosed external hemorrhoids, then the simple surgical procedure with incision and drainage is necessary to remove the blood clots and alleviate excoriating rectal pain. Occasionally, the limited external hemorrhoidectomy is needed in some severe cases.

The patients are encouraged to see hemorrhoid doctors, family physicians or colorectal surgeons for hemorrhoid evaluation in 2-3 months after delivery if they have severe hemorrhoids during pregnancy or the symptoms linger even a few months after giving birth.

The good thing is that minimally invasive hemorrhoid procedures, such as Infrared coagulation (IRC) and banding, can effectively treat most hemorrhoids without cutting or stapling to postpartum women. For the extensive or severe hemorrhoid cases that do not respond to conservative methods, hemorrhoidectomy is needed to remove them completely. Dr. Shu prefers to perform less invasive hemorrhoidectomy, not traditional hemorrhoidectomy, in combination with banding and IRC, The patients usually have good result with quicker recovery with this approach.

Posted in Hemorrhoid, hemorrhoid clinic, hemorrhoid doctor, Hemorrhoid treatments, Hemorrhoidectomy, Hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids | Tagged Tagged Anal itching, hemorrhoid during pregnancy, Hemorrhoid Minneapolis, Hemorrhoid MN, Hemorrhoid St. Paul, Hemorrhoids Minneapolis, hemorrhoids myth, hemorrhoids Twin Cities, Infrared coagulation, IRC treatment, recovery of hemorrhoid treatment, Rectal Bleeding, Rectal Pain

9 Tips for Recovering After Infrared Coagulation (IRC) Treatment of Hemorrhoids | Minnesota

July 9, 2017 admin

If you’re suffering from hemorrhoids, Infrared coagulation (IRC) is often an initial treatment of choice, especially for early stage of internal hemorrhoids. In this procedure, an intense infrared light heats the hemorrhoidal tissue, creating scar tissue that blocks blood supply to the hemorrhoid, which shrinks and dies.

In general, IRC is a very safe office procedure that takes less than a minute in each treatment. It is relatively painless and no anesthesia or painful injections are needed. It produces very good results in the early stages of hemorrhoids with minimal complications and quick recovery. The recovery time after IRC treatment is minimal with very little pain or discomfort. It is important to take care of the rectal area after the IRC procedure to avoid a recurrence of the hemorrhoids. Here at the Procedure Clinic in Edina, MN, we offer the following tips on recovering from IRC treatments.

1. Keep the area clean and dry. Do not wipe or rub vigorously.

2. Take sitz bath in warm water for 15 min, twice a day and after every bowel movement. Sitz baths will help relieve discomfort and clean the area.

3. Good toilet habits:
a. Move your bowels as soon as you feel the urge.
b. Do not strain, bear down, or hold your breath during a bowel movement.
c. Do not sit on the toilet for long periods of time. If you cannot empty your bowel, you may re-visit the toilet at a later time.

4. Avoid constipation and straining during bowel movements:
a. You are encouraged to eat plenty of high-fiber foods, drink plenty of fluids, and exercise. The high fiber food includes vegetables , fruits, , beans, and whole grains.
b. If your diet is lack of fiber, y can also take two tablespoons of any over the counter fiber supplement such as natural wheat bran, natural oat bran, flax, Benefiber with a lot of water.
c. If you develop constipation with hard stool, you may use a stool softener with or without laxative.

5. Do not stay seated for more than two hours. Do the muscle exercise by tightening your buttock muscles 10 times and take 10 deep breaths every a couple of hours.

6. Avoid heavy lifting for a few weeks.

7. Do not drink alcohol or reduce alcohol intake.

8. Apply hemorrhoid creams when the symptoms flair up.

9. Be sure to follow your doctor’s instructions.

When to Call Your Doctor
Problems are not common with the IRC treatment. However, if there is a substantial amount of bleeding, severe pain, chills, fever or difficulty passing urine (very rare), you should call your doctor to seek medical attention.

Posted in Hemorrhoid, Hemorrhoid Care, hemorrhoid clinic, hemorrhoid doctor, Hemorrhoid prevention, Hemorrhoid treatment, Hemorrhoid treatments, Hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids | Tagged Tagged Anal itching, Hemorrhoid Minneapolis, Hemorrhoid MN, Hemorrhoid St. Paul, Hemorrhoids Minneapolis, hemorrhoids myth, hemorrhoids Twin Cities, Infrared coagulation, IRC treatment, recovery of hemorrhoid treatment, Rectal Bleeding, Rectal Pain

History of Hemorrhoid Treatments | Minnesota

June 28, 2017 admin

Hemorrhoids may be one the oldest conditions known to man. Hemorrhoids is a condition that involves swelling and inflammation of the veins and other vessels surrounding the anal canal. It is surprisingly common, especially among adults above 40. Today, common methods of treatment include infrared coagulation, rubber band ligation, surgical excision, and classic methods of conservative treatments like topical drugs, diet, Sitz baths, etc. The first mention of hemorrhoids were found on Egyptian papyrus dated 1700 BC, which gives the following advice:

“… an ointment of great protection; acacia leaves, ground, triturated and cooked together. Smear a strip of fine linen therewith and place in the anus, that he recovers immediately.”

While it was a very archaic remedy, their thinking was not unsound. Acacia leaves have been shown to exhibit anti-inflammatory properties, which may have helped relieve pain and swelling in hemorrhoids.

In 460 BC, Hippocrates described what may be the first recorded surgical treatment of hemorrhoids.

“And hemorrhoids in like manner you may treat by transfixing them with a needle and tying them with very thick and woolen thread, for application […] and always leave one behind; and when the patient recovers, let him be put on a course of Hellebore.”

This is essentially a primitive form a rubber band ligation, in which a rubber band is used instead of thread. Hellebore was a poisonous plant used as a laxative by Hippocrates. Galen (AD 129-~AD 200), a famous Greek physician, suggested severing arteries from veins to relieve pain and prevent the spread of gangrene.

In the Middle Ages, a common treatment in Europe involved cauterization of the hemorrhoid with a hot iron or cutting it with a sharp knife, and unpleasant and most likely excruciatingly painful procedure.

In the 19th century, anal stretching was used as a treatment. In the US, Carbolic acid was injected into hemorrhoids. By the 20th century, more contemporary methods like rubber band ligation, hemorrhoidectomy, etc. became commonplace.

Posted in External Hemorrhoid, Hemorrhoid, hemorrhoid clinic, hemorrhoid doctor, Hemorrhoid treatment, Hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids | Tagged Tagged Anal itching, Hemorrhoid Minneapolis, Hemorrhoid MN, Hemorrhoid St. Paul, Hemorrhoids Minneapolis, hemorrhoids myth, hemorrhoids Twin Cities, Rectal Bleeding, Rectal Pain

Hemorrhoid Myth-busting | Minnesota

June 5, 2017 admin

Hemorrhoids are uncommon
FALSE– Hemorrhoids are actually incredibly common. A whopping 75% of adults will suffer from hemorrhoids at some point in their life.

Only old people can get hemorrhoids
FALSE– While hemorrhoids are most commonly found in people aged 45-65, it’s definitely possible to find it in younger adults and even children.

Spicy foods can give me hemorrhoids.
FALSE– There is no evidence that spicy foods will cause hemorrhoids or make them worse. Those that eat spicy food while having hemorrhoids do not report any increased pain or discomfort with their bowel movements either.

Sitting on the toilet too long can give me hemorrhoids
TRUE– This is actually true. Sitting on the toilet too long, especially straining for long periods of time, puts pressure on the veins in the rectum, increasing the chances of developing hemorrhoids. Put away the phone and do your business.

Cold surfaces can give me hemorrhoids
FALSE– There’s no evidence that suggests sitting on a cold surface would increase the chances of developing hemorrhoids.

I shouldn’t exercise if I have hemorrhoids
FALSE– Exercise actually helps prevent hemorrhoids. However, weightlifting with poor form can increase the chances of developing hemorrhoids and make existing hemorrhoids worse.

Hemorrhoids could give me cancer
FALSE– There is no evidence hemorrhoids will increase the chances of cancer.