Hemorrhoids, also called piles, refers to a condition in which the veins around the end of the colon  called anus or rectum are swollen and inflamed. Dietary adjustments are known to help relieve hemorrhoids.

Origins
Ten million people in the United States have this colon disease or condition called hemorrhoids, leading to a prevalence greater than 4%. Up to a third of these people require medical treatment, resulting in 1.5 million prescriptions per year. The peak age for hemorrhoids is 45–65 years. The term hemorrhoid is usually related to symptoms caused by hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids occur in healthy individuals. It is when they become enlarged, inflamed, or prolapsed, that most people refer to the condition as hemorrhoids. They are rarely a serious risk to health, and result from too much pressure on the hemorrhoidal veins in the rectum. The strain of constipation, diarrhea and pregnancy can cause the veins to swell.Other factors such as obesity and liver disease can also increase pressure and cause hemorrhoids.

Natures Remedy

When it comes time to go, humans instinctively squat. Squatting is natures way of aligning your body for proper elimination of waste and toxins. It wasn’t until relatively recently that humans started sitting to poop. While in the sitting position the lower rectum is actually kinked, which requires more pressure and straining to eliminate. This kinked passageway leads to incomplete elimination. Fecal matter left behind will dry and harden and leads to bloating, gas and constipation. Constipation requires more straining and effort which is the major cause of hemorrhoids.

There are three types of hemorrhoids:

Internal hemorrhoids: Internal hemorrhoids can not be seen, they are inside the colon. Straining or irritation from passing stool can injure a hemorrhoid’s delicate surface and cause bleeding. Because colon membranes lack pain-sensitive nerve endings, these hemorrhoids usually do not cause discomfort.

External hemorrhoids: These hemorrhoids are under the skin around the anus and tend to be painful. Sometimes blood may collect in an external hemorrhoid and form a clot, causing severe pain, swelling and inflammation. When irritated, external hemorrhoids can itch or bleed.

Prolapsed hemorrhoids: These are internal hemorrhoids that are so distended that they are pushed outside the anus.

In the absence of complications, treatment usually involves over-the-counter corticosteroid creams that can reduce the pain and swelling of hemorrhoids and bathing in tubs with warm water to ease painful perianal conditions. Another important step in treating hemorrhoids is to relieve anal pressure and straining. This can often be done by controlling constipation with a high-fiber diet.