Hemorrhoids can be an embarrassing disorder to deal with, and primarily because they involve a part of the body that isn’t exactly easy to talk about. Hemorrhoids happen because a blood clot or swelling in the anus, which can be due to many different factors. However, the most immediate cause of hemorrhoids is bad bowel movement, which, translated, means hard bowels that can make the hemorrhoid pain more intense, and that can make the situation even worse.

Bad bowels can come from a bad diet that has little to no water and fiber. You can get more fibers from starchy foods and plant materials such as whole grains, rice, corn, fruits, and vegetables. However, such foods can be difficult to come by if you are in an urban area: you might be too busy working to pass by your local grocer’s, or they might be more expensive because of the shipping and care costs that go into keeping all your produce fresh.

If you have hemorrhoids, you need to see your doctor first before taking any steps to curing yourself or alleviating your pain. The symptoms of hemorrhoids are also similar to other symptoms of even more dangerous diseases such as colorectal cancer. You will need to get clearance from your doctor first before even doing anything. As soon as your hemorrhoids are diagnosed, however, you can start asking about treatment options.

You will get the usual instructions for your hemorrhoid treatment regimen. First, you will need to incorporate a good deal more water and fiber into your diet. You will also need to renovate your diet and start living a healthy lifestyle. This means no more fast foods, no more salty foods, no more spicy foods, and no more caffeine, tea, alcohol, or soda, or anything that will cause water to move faster out of your body. This diet regimen is an inevitable part of clearing your bowels out and making you hemorrhoid free, so you cannot go through any medication without supplementing it with an improved lifestyle.

There are also herbal treatments that you might be interested in, and that you might want to bring up with your doctor. A common treatment, for instance, in relieving hemorrhoid pain is the use of witch hazel cream. Barbers commonly apply witch hazel cream to their customers because witch hazel cream can reduce blood flow and contract blood vessels. Apply witch hazel cream cold to your hemorrhoid area for some pain relief.

Another emerging herbal treatment is called stoneroot, which you might also find under the name collinsonia. Stone root is known to strengthen your veins, and this can be good if you have extremely weak veins in your anal area and are prone to anal bleeding. Stone root is available in capsule form from most herbal health stores. You will need to take it twice daily, and while drinking water constantly. Before taking stone root tablets, however, consult with your doctor about health hazards that you might possibly encounter.

As with treating all other diseases, always talk to your doctor first before engaging in any herbal treatment regimens. Not all herbal treatments are approved for use and may not have any approved therapeutic claims, so read labels first and always bring your pills with you to show to your doctor. If you consult with your doctor, you might even get even more herbal treatment options that will fit in your lifestyle, budget, and needs.