Introduction
You are here because you suffer from hemorrhoids. This is either a new journey for you or you are one who has suffered for many years and cannot seem to find the relief or cure you need. I was one of those people too. For over 15 years I suffered daily. My wish, every single day, was that my bowel movement was going to be normal. It rarely was and therefore each day was full of pain, inconvenience and embarrassment. I have had 3 tubal ligations (banding). My hemorrhoids return within a few months after each treatment.
My doctor would simply tell me that I needed more fiber in my diet. I needed to take Benefiber or I need psyllium husk fiber. For many years I took so much fiber I was nothing but a gas bag. I absolutely did not help. But, like you, I was looking for that easy solution. I was looking for that pill I could take that would make it all go away. The treatment that would make them permanently disappear. Let's face it folks, there isn't one.
Finally, after 15 years, I decided to take a very methodical approach to fixing my issue once and for all. My problem was not necessarily constipation, but never being able to complete evacuate my colon after every bowl movement. So, whether you are constipated, or you are unable to completely evacuate your colon after a bowel movement or any other reason, the following steps will guide you to your ultimate solution.
Step 1 - Identify your stool type
Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure in the veins in and around your anus and lower rectum. This can be caused for many reasons such as straining during bowel movements, sitting for long periods of time on the toilet (thank you social media), chronic constipation or diarrhea, obesity, pregnancy, childbirth, anal intercourse, aging, family history and lifting heavy objects.
For us chronic sufferers, it is typically related to our bowel movements. I was introduced to the Bristol Stool Scale and it changed my perception of how to heal my own hemorrhoids.
As you can see from the chart above, if you are a 3 or a 4, you will experience issues. I was definitely not a 3 or a 4, so I knew that I had to figure out why. If I could get to 3 or 4, then I knew I would be on my way. If you are already a 3 or 4, then the cause of your hemorrhoids is going to related to some of the other causes, such as obesity, pregnancy, childbirth, anal intercourse, aging, family history and lifting heavy objects.
Step 2 - Getting to 3 or 4 on the stool chart
There are many reasons that you are not at a 3 or 4. So how do we figure out what is causing us to be something other than 3 or 4. Let's start with some of the basics that may be causing your abnormal stools.
- 1Certain Foods/Diet
- 2Supplements/Medications
- 3Infections
- 4Stress
- 5Medical Conditions
The easiest way to determine if it is a certain food or your diet, is to perform an elimination diet. This process involves removing foods from your diet you suspect your body does not tolerate well. These foods are reintroduced, one at a time, while you look for symptoms that show a reaction. Is this easy? NO! Is it fun? NO! But, if you are serious about relieving your hemorrhoids, this is a great first step. Remember, we want to get to a stool type of 3 or 4. My hope is that you find that food or liquid that is causing your issue. For me it was caffeine. Since I was 13 years old, I have drank black coffee. As I aged, I drank more and more each day. I am now in my early 50s and up until about 6 months ago, I was drinking about 32 ounces of coffee a day. I would then switch over to iced tea or coke zero, which is even more caffeine. At some point in my life, caffeine started to cause my digestive issues. It was the very last thing I eliminated because I didn't want it to be the cause of my issue. It took a while to lower my consumption. I now drink a modest 8 ounces a day. The withdrawal from caffeine caused me violent motion sickness with nausea and vomiting. I am on the otherside of that now and my digestive system is so much better and I can now eat foods that used to cause me heartburn.
I took so many supplements to help with my digestion in the hopes of fixing my hemorrhoids. When I set out to get to the 3 or 4, I stopped taking all of the supplements. The only supplements I take now are from Rho Nutrition, which I will explain more about later. Perform an elimination diet on your supplements to see if they are causing any issues with your system.
If you have an infection, you can only get this diagnosed through your physician. If you believe this to be the case, please make an appointment with your doctor so they can diagnose you.
Stress causes all kinds of issues, especially with your digestive system. Stress can be difficult to eliminate from your life, but there are specific issues in your life that are causing stress. You probably already know, but you need to identify and deal with these issues so you can eliminate the stress. A good way to relieve stress is to start exercising. This can be as simple as walking. I will say that I would not have been able to get to a 3 or 4 without throwing in exercise. Exercising stimulates gut motility and increases blood flow to the digestive tract. This is what you want! Exercise is one of the single most important steps you can take to get to 3 or 4.
Other medical conditions may be causing you issues. Certain autoimmune diseases can wreak havoc on your digestion. It is important to get these diagnosed so you can be treated. See your physician if you suspect or display symptoms associated with these types of diseases.
Step 3 - Take a probiotic
I have taken a probiotic for years. I didn't really know what I was doing when I started taking them. I took various kinds that included up to 95 billion cfus to 8000 cfus. I eventually learned that it mattered what kind of gut bacteria was in your probiotic and how if it was able to deliver the payload to the appropriate area of your gut. After taking probiotics for many years, I realized that they were not helping me with my digestion or getting to 3 or 4. They were cheap and were not delivering the payload appropriately.
About 2 months ago, I discovered a probiotic called Seed. They have all of the good gut bacteria we need and they have a revolutionary delivery system so that the payload is delivered to the appropriate part of your gut. When I purchased my first 30 day supply I was not optimistic since I had tried so many. However, after about 2 weeks, my life was changed! This was as close as I had ever gotten to the "just take a pill and fix it". After about one and a half months I am finding even more relief and consistency and have achieve a 3 or 4. Victory! This probiotic, along with some of the liposomal supplements from Rho Nutrition have changed my life!
If you have never taken a probiotic before, please let me caution you and offer some advice. If you choose to try Seed, please only start with one capsule for a good 2 to 3 weeks until your body is used to the product. Seed will recommend only a few days of taking one capsule. I do not recommend this and have seen so many first time probiotic users stop taking it because they simply could not handle the product taking 2 capsules. After a few weeks you can start taking 2 capsules. Keep in mind, this will change your bowel movements. The first weeks will be a wild ride, but please hang in there and get to the other side. I believe it will significantly benefit you. I will post links to these various products on the products page.
I am recommending Seed because I have had great results.
Step 4 - Get a Squatty Potty
You've seen these and probably made fun of them or laughed at them. I cannot stress enough how beneficial this simple invention has become. I use it every time I go and it has lowed my time on the throne. In my own research, I have read too many times where you should not spend more that 3
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