Top Homeopathic Medicines For Piles

The term piles or hemorrhoids refers to a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen.  The symptoms of piles depend on the type of piles. The sooner the patient approaches a homeopathic physician for treatment, the higher are the chances of avoiding surgery.

Why Choose Homeopathy for Treatment of Piles?

Conventional allopathic treatment of piles involves medication that makes the condition manageable but does not help treat it. These medicines offer temporary relief from the symptoms and continuous use is often necessary. Over-the-counter (OTC) medications for piles include ointments, pads, creams, and painkillers. In case of grade 4 piles (or hemorrhoids), surgery is the only option left for most patients. However, homeopathy offers effective and comprehensive treatment of piles  that helps treat the condition and ease the symptoms. Homeopathic remedies for hemorrhoids aim at correcting the internal disturbances of the venous system by making the vein valves stronger which helps in complete recovery.  Homeopathic treatment of piles can help avoid invasive procedures like surgery.

Once treated with homeopathy, piles does not recur (under conditions where lifestyle modifications are sustained for long). The length of homeopathic treatment for piles depends upon the duration of the symptoms, their intensity, and how quickly a person responds to medicines. The treatment period can range from a few weeks to a few months.

Top Homeopathic Medicines for Piles

 

The top-most important medicines for treating piles are Aesculus Hippocastanum, Nux Vomica, Aloe Socotrina, Hamamelis, Collinsonia Canadensis, Muriatic Acid, Ratanhia and Nitric Acid.

1. Aesculus Hippocastanum – For Painful, External, Non-bleeding Piles

It is the best and most frequently used medicine for painful piles. It is taken when pain is felt during or after passing stool. The pain continues for long hours after the passing of stool. Pain is very sharp that may extend from the anus to the lower back. A person may have a distinct feeling of small sticks filling up the rectum. It is a specific medicine for external piles and blind piles (non-bleeding piles). This medicine does wonders on engorged haemorrhoidal veins, brings great relief in pain and also helps in shrinking piles naturally.

Dosage: The most commonly recommended dosage, one may use 30C potency two to three times a day as per the intensity of the symptoms.

2. Nux Vomica – For Piles With Constipation And Ineffective Urge To Pass Stool

Nux Vomica is the best medicine to treat piles with constipation and ineffective urge to pass the stool.

Those who need this medicine have to go pass stool several times in a day to completely clear the bowels. They pass stool bit by bit throughout the day and yet have the urge to pass the stool. They also have marked pain and itching at the anus. Nux Vomica is recommended for piles that is non-bleeding.

For piles or constipation triggered by alcohol intake, Nux Vomica is the right medicine. It is also the best choice of medicine for people with piles who lead a sedentary lifestyle.

Dosage: Though it can be used in both low to high potencies, in the beginning, it is advised to take it in 30C potency twice or thrice a day.

3. Aloe Socotrina – For Protruding Piles

Aloe Socotrina is ranked the number one medicine when it comes to treating protruding piles (internal piles take an outward bulge from anus and can be seen as soft lumps of tissue). The protruding piles are very sore and tender and look like a bunch of grapes bluish in colour. Persons who require it may find cold applications on affected areas soothing and help during pain, soreness and tenderness. They may also have severe itching.

Dosage: Though it can be used in both low and high potency, the most often prescribed dosage is 30C potency. It can be taken three to four times a day depending on the severity.

4. Hamamelis – For Bleeding, Internal Piles

This natural medicine sourced from plant ‘witch – hazel’ is the best prescription for piles that bleeds. It controls bleeding piles in an outstanding manner. Hamamelis is useful in cases where piles is internal, painless and it bleeds. ‘Painless, non bleeding piles’ these four words are an indication to describe the use of this medicine in its entirety, and it requires no further description.

Dosage: One may take Hamamelis in 30C potency three to four times a day as per the intensity of the problem.

5. Collinsonia Canadensis – For Piles With Constipation (Dry, Hard Stool)

It is an effective medicine to treat piles with constipation when stool is dry and hard. It can be used when hemorrhoids are external or protruding and there is also marked pain. Additionally, a particular sensation of sand or sticks in rectum may be felt. This medicine is also used to treat piles which is painful, along with bleeding.

Dosage: It can be used in 30C potency twice or thrice a day.

6. Muriatic Acid – For Piles Extremely Painful To Touch

This is a leading homeopathic medicine to manage piles that is highly sensitive, and painful even on the slightest touch. It is mainly indicated for protruding piles. The piles look bluish or dark purple like a bunch of grapes.A characteristic feature is relief in soreness from warm applications.

When and How to use Muriatic Acid?

It can be prescribed in any case of piles that are intensely painful. The most frequently used potency of this medicine is 30C. Muriatic Acid 30C should be taken once a day and in severe cases two times a day, not more than that.

7. Ratanhia – For Piles With Intense Burning Sensation

This medicine is well indicated to manage piles attended with severe burning sensation. Along with this there is marked straining to pass stool. Piles may protrude out of the anus on straining for stool. Apart from these a peculiar sensation of little pieces of broken glass in rectum can be present. Pouring cold water over anus may provide relief for a while.

When and How to use Ratanhia?

For piles that have intense burning, Ratanhia is an ideal prescription. Ratanhia can be used in low as well as high potencies. In the beginning, one may start with its 30C potency twice or thrice a day. After close observation of symptoms, higher potencies can be considered if needs arises, under a homeopathic physician’s supervision.

8. Nitric Acid – When Piles Protrude During Stool Along With Bleeding

Nitric Acid is a beneficial medicine for cases where piles protrude while passing stool accompanied by bleeding. There is constipation with dry, hard stool that passes with much straining. Pain also occurs at the anus. The pain can be pricking, sharp, stitching, cutting type or burning in nature.  Constant weight and pressure is felt in the rectum.

When and How to use Nitric Acid?

This medicine can be used for protruding piles with bleeding. Nitric Acid 30C can be taken once or twice a day as per the intensity of symptoms.

Note You may continue these medicines for about 2 to 3 weeks. If symptoms persist, or if you want to continue any of these medicines beyond 3 weeks, it is strictly advised to seek consultation from a homeopath. Do not use high potencies without consulting a homeopathic doctor.

Types of Piles: Signs And Symptoms  

Piles is of different types according to their location and whether they bleed or not. External piles, internal piles, protruding/prolapsed piles and blind piles are the most common types.

1.External piles is visible on the surface of the skin around the anus and can be seen or felt from the outside. The main symptoms of external piles include painful swelling and hard lumps around the anus. These hemorrhoids cause irritation, sometimes itching or bleeding.

2. Internal piles lie deep inside the rectum and cannot be felt or seen outside. It is mostly painless, since there are no pain receptors in the region where it tends to appear. The only symptom of internal piles is bleeding while straining at the time of passing stool. However, an internal hemorrhoid may protrude through the anus, causing irritation and pain.

Different Grades Of Internal Piles According To Severity

Internal Piles can be classified into grades, according to their severity.
Grade 1 piles is marked by small inflammations that are usually found inside the lining of the anus and are not visible.

Grade 2 piles is characterized by larger hemorrhoids than the grade 1 piles, but they too remain inside the anus. These protrude outside the anus while passing stool and go back into the rectum after defecation.

Grade 3 hemorrhoids protrude during defecation and need to be manually pushed back inside the anus.

Grade 4 piles is a severe case. These cannot be pushed back inside and need immediate medical attention.

3. Protruding or prolapsed piles is a condition when hemorrhoids get pushed out towards the anus when force is applied to pass stools. They look like pink, moist pads of skin. Prolapsed or protruding hemorrhoids tend to hurt since the anus area is dense with pain-sensitive nerves. The typical symptoms of hemorrhoids are mucus discharge, itching and pain.

4. Blind piles refers to hemorrhoids that do not bleed. They feel like protruding masses, usually detectable after passing stools, at the opening of the anus.

5. Mixed/ interno – external piles refers to a condition in which internal as well as external piles simultaneously.

6. Thrombosed piles refers to external haemorrhoids in which a blood clot is formed that blocks blood flow resulting in swelling of anal tissue with severe pain.

Causes, Risk Factors That Lead To Piles

Primarily, the swollen veins that are seen in piles develop due to increased pressure in the rectum. This may cause disintegration of the tissues supporting the anal walls, leading to hemorrhoids. Various factors contribute to causing this kind of pressure which are enumerated here:

1. Irregular Bowel Movements (Constipation is the leading cause of piles): Factors like constipation, straining to pass stool, overuse of enema or laxatives, spending too much time on the toilet seat adds to the strain on the rectum and anus, leading to the development of piles. On the other hand, chronic diarrhea may also sometimes lead to piles.

 2. Diet: Lack of a fiber-rich diet, low water intake, excessive intake of alcohol, consumption of spicy food and junk food are also the contributing factors.

3. Pregnancy: There is increased pressure on the abdomen and pelvic area during pregnancy, which is a leading cause of piles during pregnancy. In some cases, hemorrhoids develop as a result of childbirth due to excessive pressure on the rectum and anus.

4. Age and Heredity: Other factors like age and heredity too may cause piles due to the weakening of the tissues supporting the rectum and anus.

5. Inactive sedentary lifestyle: Prolonged sitting with lack of physical activity or exercise, and obesity also predispose a person towards piles.

6. Portal Hypertension: Portal hypertension refers to a condition where there is an increase in the blood pressure within the veins of the portal venous system. The veins coming from the spleen, stomach, pancreas, and intestines merge into the portal vein which travels through the liver. In case of any complication due to which blood cannot flow properly through the liver, high pressure develops in the portal system. This pressure can cause the development of large, swollen veins in the stomach, esophagus, and rectum. As a result, hemorrhoids may develop in the anal area.

Complications of piles

Piles rarely cause complications, however, one may encounter certain medical problems:

1. Excessive bleeding that can cause anemia

2. Weakness from blood loss

3. Blood clot can form inside hemorrhoid (thrombosed hemorrhoid) causing extreme pain

4.  No blood supply to internal piles can lead to strangulated piles which causes intense pain

Lifestyle changes to manage piles

Some simple lifestyle modifications can help one manage and prevent piles. They can help get softer stool which makes emptying the bowels easier and lessens the pressure on hemorrhoids caused by straining. Some important dos’ and don’ts are mentioned below:

Do’s

1. Take high-fiber foods like figs, flaxseeds, quinoa, beans, lentils, and fresh fruits and vegetables that help in proper bowel movements. Avoid foods with little or no fiber that can cause constipation. Clinical research shows that in case of non-prolapsing hemorrhoids, taking a fiber supplement helps reduce the risk of persisting symptoms and bleeding by almost 50 per cent.

2. Consume a lot of fluids and stay hydrated as dehydration leads to constipation that can worsen the symptoms of hemorrhoids.

3. Sitting in warm water tub for 10-15 minutes can help relieve itching, burning and aching

4. Exercise regularly

5. Reduce alcohol and caffeine intake

Don’ts

1. Do not ignore urge to pass stool

2. Do not over-strain during defecation

3. Do not sit on the toilet seat for prolonged time period as it causes unnecessary strain on anal veins

4. Do not lift heavy weights

Case Study – Homeopathic Treatment Of Piles

For Vikram (not his real name), pain around the anus was becoming a big problem as the excruciating pain would continue for hours after passing stool. He was also passing blood along with stool. Vikram was having difficulty concentrating on his job, as the pain would continue for hours causing continuous discomfort. Each morning, passing stool was like a nightmare, and if he had to pass stool twice, then nearly the whole day would pass in pain. He finally realized that it had something to do with his constipation problem, which he was having for the last decade or so. A visit to the general practitioner confirmed that he was suffering from piles (also known as hemorrhoids). He was suggested surgery. One of Vikram’s friends suggested that he should first try homeopathy as it had really helped him in treating his piles. Vikram was put on Ratanhia and later was given Aesculus. These were the only two homeopathic medicines for hemorrhoids that were used on him. He recovered completely in four months and it has been nearly four years that he has been completely symptom-free. Vikram has also made changes to his lifestyle, like he walks for one hour everyday and drinks a lot of water.

Frequently Asked Questions

I am passing blood with stools, does it indicate piles?
Bleeding while passing stool is one of the primary symptoms of piles. However, blood in the stool may appear from many other conditions, like anal fissures and severe conditions like ulcerative colitis or any malignancy of the GIT (Gastro Intestinal Tract). Further investigation by a physician may be required to determine the exact cause of bleeding.

If I feel a mass protruding out of the rectum while passing stools, is it piles?
A mass protruding from rectum while passing stools can be indicative of two conditions – piles and rectal prolapse. A rectal examination is required to know the exact cause.

I have piles with excessive swelling around the anus and painful defecation. Will applying ointments solve my problem?
Ointments may help in temporarily reducing the discomfort and soothe the symptoms of piles. To cure piles, a proper treatment that helps reduce the engorgement of the rectal veins and ensures adequate blood circulation in the veins is required.

I am suffering from piles with constipation, can I take a laxative?
A laxative is a short-term solution for the management of constipation, but proper treatment is required for long-term treatment to improve bowel movement and reduce filling of blood in the rectal veins.

Can I avoid surgery for piles with the help of medicines?
Yes, natural medicines work to stimulate the internal healing processes of the body, and with their long-term use, they can help manage piles without surgery. It should be noted that the results vary from case to case, depending upon the severity of the problem.

For how long do I need to take medicines to get cured of piles?
The length of treatment for piles depends upon the duration of the symptoms, their intensity, and how quickly a person responds to medicines. The treatment period can range from a few weeks to a few months.

Is surgery a permanent solution for piles or do piles recur after surgery?
Surgery for piles is not a permanent solution since in most cases, chances of recurrence are high. It does not treat the cause behind piles. For a permanent solution, the cause of increased rectal pressure and poor blood circulation in the rectal veins needs to be identified and treated.