Haemorrhoids
I have been told I have piles [haemorrhoids] following a recent episode of bleeding from my back passage. What treatments are there?
Answer: Conventional remedy:
Haemorrhoids are lumps of tissue containing blood vessels which lie within the anal canal \[back passage]. Haemorrhoids are usually painless; they can drop down or prolapse when the bowels are opened. If they bleed, bright red blood appears with the bowel motion or there may be traces of blood on toilet paper. Haemorrhoids do not need treatment unless they cause symptoms. Increasing dietary fibre in the form of fresh fruit and vegetables helps and Avoiding constipation is also important.
Creams and suppositories help with associated itch and discomfort. The following medical treatments are available:
Injection of haemorrhoids using a sclerosant chemical. This produces shrinking of the haemorrhoids and more than one injection session is usually necessary.
Binding of haemorrhoids, in which a tight elastic band is tied around them. Not all haemorrhoids are suitable.
Haemorrhoidectomy is the excision of the piles under general anaesthetic. A treatment reserved for large haemorrhoids, it takes up to six weeks for the scars to heal completely.
You must never assume that bleeding from the rectum is due to piles. Always see your doctor with this symptom.
Dr Muiris Houston, Medical Correspondent
Alternative remedy:
The selection of an appropriate homoeopathic remedy relies on a number of symptoms as experienced by the patient and not just their condition. The details that you include to describe your haemorrhoids (piles) are not enough to suggest a conclusive remedy.
For example, prior to prescription, a homoeopath would ask you to better describe your symptoms. and would look for some key indicators as to the cause in your lifestyle. However, in an effort to ameliorate what can be a discomforting condition, I will list some of the more common choices.
If the haemorrhoids are very tender, red and swollen and the blood is bright red, then the first remedy to choose is Bbelladonna. However, if the blood is dark and the nature of the pain is sore, bruised and worse for touch, then Hhamemelis is the remedy of choice.
If you find that the piles are bleeding after every bowel movement, and the pains are burning or splinter-like, then the remedy to choose is Nnitricum Aacidum.
Alternatively, with the remedy Aaesculus while again the piles are large and the pain splinter-like, there is also a feeling of fullness and pain is worse for standing. Female readers might take note that this situation is particularly typical during the menopause. Or again, If the haemorrhoids ensue as a result of pregnancy, with discomfort on walking, then I would choose Ssepia.
Obviously, this is not the sum of all possible solutions to your predicament. If one of these solutions does appear apt, then one tablet in a 6c potency taken three times daily for two or three days should bring relief in the short-term.
However, with haemorrhoids a reoccurrence is likely. So should the condition recur, The first option would be to repeat treatment. In addition, the use of a topical cream or ointment will reduce inflammation, ease discomfort and speed healing. In this case, the cream that I would recommend is manufactured by Nelsons and is available from a variety of pharmacies and health food shops and called simply Nelsons Haemorrhoid Cream.
This is known to be very soothing and can be applied regularly until the situation resolves. However, I have to caution that Relief will most likely be short-term.
Karen Doherty
Karen Doherty is a member of the Homoeopath The Irish Society of Homoeopahts, which can be contacted on Tel: 091 565040