In the last post, I mentioned the conversation I had with my friend regarding homeopathic remedies. During this conversation was revealed the source of my friend’s strange and firm beliefs in this quackery. He presented several anecdotes about members of his family as living proofs of the benefits of homeopathy.
Well, it turns out that the symptom – that homeopathy had apparently helped him and others to be rid of – was the occurrence and persistence of painful hemorrhoids (a.k.a “piles”). The usual treatment in most cases, according to him, is surgical removal of the hemorrhoids (N.B. I discovered that this is not completely correct; see below), but they recur. Homeopathy “cured” him and people he knew. He asked me to explain how this was possible, if there was nothing in the homeopathic remedies.
I decided to dig a little deeper into the problem and the claims. The source that I chose to research the issue is the Hemorrhoids information page at the National Digestive Diseases Information Clearinghouse (NDDIC), a service of the National Institute of Diabetes, Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK) of the NIH.
Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins around the anus or in the lower rectum […] External hemorrhoids are located under the skin around the anus. Internal hemorrhoids develop in the lower rectum. Internal hemorrhoids may protrude, or prolapse, through the anus. Most prolapsed hemorrhoids shrink back inside the rectum on their own. Severely prolapsed hemorrhoids may protrude permanently and require treatment.
This was an A-ha! moment, because, as you can see, right there it says, “Most prolapsed hemorrhoids shrink back inside the rectum on their own.” Could this be responsible for the observation of homeopathy’s miraculous effect? I read on and gathered the following points.
- Internal hemorrhoids occur just inside the anus, at the rectal beginning; external hemorrhoids, on the other hand, occur at the anal opening and may hang outside the anus.
- The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood on stool, on toilet tissue, or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement.
- Internal hemorrhoids that are not prolapsed (protruding through the anus) are usually not painful; however, prolapsed hemorrhoids often cause pain, discomfort, and anal itching.
- Thrombosed (veins with clotted blood) external hemorrhoids cause bleeding, painful swelling, or a hard lump around the anus; when the blood clot dissolves, extra skin is left behind that can become irritated or itch.
- At the appearance of any such symptom, it is advisable to consult a physician, who has various means of visualizing and confirming the diagnosis of hemorrhoids.
Several factors may be responsible for the swelling in the anorectal veins leading to hemorrhoids, including:
- chronic constipation or diarrhea.
- excessive straining during bowel movements, which may be a behavioral consequence of chronic constipation.
- similarly, sitting on the toilet for long periods of time.
- fiber-poor diet.
- weakening of anorectal connective tissue with age (45-65yrs).
- pregnancy, which increases abdominal pressure, sometimes leading to an enlargement of veins in the lower rectum and anus; the hemorrhoids usually disappear postpartum.
But by far, the most significant information I found was one that pertained to the treatment:
- Hemorrhoids are not dangerous or life threatening; symptoms usually go away within a few days, and some people with hemorrhoids never have symptoms.
- Simple home remedies may suffice to treat hemorrhoids and prevent recurrence.
- Simple diet and lifestyle changes (more fibers, more fluids; exercise; less sitting and/or straining during bowel movement; sitting in a tub of warm water) often reduce the swelling of hemorrhoids and relieve hemorrhoid symptoms.
- Use of bulk stool softener or a fiber supplement such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel) may help with the constipation.
- Over the counter corticosteroids or creams with topical analgesics (such as lidocaine) may reduce the itch.
- Medical treatment options are considered only when these home remedies don’t alleviate the symptoms. Even then, the physician may be able to shrink the hemorrhoid with relatively non-invasive techniques. Only in cases of large external or internal hemorrhoids, not amenable to other treatments, causing severe pain and bleeding, surgical removal (“hemorrhoidectomy”) may be required.
So much for my friend’s theory of “almost always requiring surgery”! Here, then, we have a clinical situation that may be largely asymptomatic and/or self-correcting, or amenable to rather simple, easily do-able home remedies. Sounds familiar? It should, because these are the ideal situations in which homeopathic quackery flourishes and homeopaths cry themselves hoarse claiming success.
What are these homeopathic remedies, then? I plumbed the murky depths of the world of woo (IOW, various alt med websites) to find out.
One herbal remedy that is topically applied is Witch Hazel (Hamamelis spp.), a flowering plant containing a flavonoid astringent in its bark and leaves. Because of the presence of the active principle in the prepared distillates used as medicine, I don’t consider this “homeopathic”. There appears to be some evidence for efficacy of micronized flavonoids as treatment for hemorrhoids, and at least one Cochrane Review found flavonoids effective in conservative management of symptomatic and/or complicated hemorrhoids in pregnancy; another meta-analysis acknowledged the apparent beneficial effect while expressing concerns about limitations in methodological quality, heterogeneity and potential publication bias in the reviewed studies.
Truly ‘homeopathic’ remedies for hemorrhoids, on the other hand, use the absurd dilutions (30C, 200C) with the fancy names: Aesculus hippocastanum, Aloe socotrina, Collinsonia, Arsenic album, Nux Vomica, and – surprise! – Hamamelis. Of course, at those dilutions, nothing of the original substance (presumably herbal preparations, like Witch Hazel) remains. However, other suggested remedies are prima facie even more absurd and border on crazy – but are probably safe because they are diluted to homeopathic proportions (whew!); these include Muriatic acid (that’s Hydrochloric acid, HCl for you!), Nitric acid, phosphorus and sulfur, as well as the so-called homeopathic/biochemic medicines, Kalium carbonicum (Potassium carbonate), Calcarea fluorica (Calcium fluoride), et cetera.
In the end, it boils down to the same old problem: extraordinary claims of efficacy from an implausible, pseudoscientific modality such as homeopathy should require extraordinary evidence in order to be considered valid. Such evidence is severely lacking. In the meantime, homeopaths focus on various self-correcting ailments or expressions of the nonspecific placebo effects to claim ‘treatment success’ with their quack remedies. Belief in homeopathy may be culturally driven, and often feeds off ignorance and desperation of hapless patients.
As a particularly egregious example that I came across while researching for this post, there is an Indian homeopath with a spiffy website; he offers online treatment for a price to patients from India, US and Canada. Apart from suggesting homeopathic remedies for hemorrhoids, this self-styled “homeopathic specialist” also offers homeopathic treatment for autism, touting “miraculous cures”! I was too disgusted to read on and left the website, but not before realizing how this despicable man is capitalizing on the desperation of gullible parents of autistic children, in order to peddle his brand of quackery to them. The section of his website featuring “cured cases” has, unsurprisingly, a few photos, a couple of testimonials, and a YouTube video – but no link to any proper empirically-derived evidentiary basis of his claims.
Sadly, homeopathy is popular in India and even has complete official sanction for operation; faith in homeopathy as “popular medicine” is deeply entrenched in the Indian psyche, not to be displaced in foreseeable future – not even, apparently, if one studies science and chemistry and molecular biology, and makes out a career in biomedical research.
Talking of non-surgical treatments for haemorrhoids, one major one these days is applying nitroglycerin ointment (Yes, that stuff, aka "GTN" in medicine) to the affected bits.
The running joke (or perhaps "wind-up", as we English might say) is that immediately after application of the same you have to be careful not to sit down too suddenly on a hard chair…
Another fine shot in the bows of a fraudulent industry, Kausik.
A couple of things have occurred to me.
Here in Spain, "Homeopathy" basically means something different. Many "Homeopathic
o" preparations sold in pharmacies here contain trace and greater concentrations of the active ingredient, so they are probably more like "herbal" remedies. That confused me at first, but language can do that. Perhaps the locals aren’t as gullible as the rest of the world seems to be.You might also be interested in the "New Yorker article":http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/12/13/101213fa_fact_lehrer?currentPage=all on the decline effect that I just "posted about":http://blogs.nature.com/mike/2011/01/24/negative-results—-who-needs-them. This should be mandatory reading for all homeopathic trialists.
Kausik, you deserve a medal for these last couple of posts, both enlightening and damning at the same time! If any of you are interested in a more general defence of science, and can access BBC content, check out the Horizon from last night in which Sir Paul Nurse landed a few telling blows, particularly on climate deniers. Might blog on it later…
Thanks for the comments, everyone.
Austin, I tried visualizing the scenario you brought up. Ouch. Very ouch. However, as far as I know, topical Glyceryl Tri-Nitrate is being considered for preventing poor vascularization and spasms of the internal anal sphincter, which leads to chronic anal fissures. Hemorrhoids, by my reading, are a clinically distinct entity. Please correct me if I am wrong.
Mike, that difference in language bothers me, too. In India, ‘homeopathy’ also embraces something called ‘biochemic’ remedies, which are in essence various compounds such as Magnesium phosphate (Mag Phos), Calcium fluoride (Calc Fluor), Potassium chloride (Kali Mur), and so forth. The doses at which these are sold are usually 3X and 6X, which means, respectively, a thousand times, and a million times diluted. I, of course, have no clue what their starting concentration is, but at least for these two dilutions, it is theoretically possible to have nanomolar or picomolar concentrations of the ions when they are taken. Whether that has any biological effect as claimed, I don’t know. But at least these are plausible compared to the other (authentic) homeopathic remedies stemming from Hahnemann.
It is interesting that you mention the Decline Effect article, Mike. Have you by any chance seen the discussion on this article from PZ Myers (here) and Brother Orac (here and here)?
Tom, you’re too kind. Although I haven’t yet been able to check out Paul Nurse’s lecture (I know he speaks well; I’ve heard him earlier), it appears that the reaction was mixed, especially regarding Fred Singer and GM. I have to figure out a way to listen to the entire lecture.
You might be interested in this Science Magazine news feature on traditional chinese medicine. some analytical chemists and biochemists are attempting to identify the active ingredients in the herbs etc.
you make a good point about how messy and imprecise homeopathy can be. but i’m just going to put out there, that we can’t really underestimate what’s in the herbs either (until we know for sure what’s in them). we still rely on secondary metabolites (‘active ingredients’) from plants all the time for clinical medicine. i.e. morphine, which still needs to be extracted from poppies.
also..hemorrhoids..can i say ‘ewww’? tmi. lol.
Linda, I am going to ignore your obvious disgust. Pointedly. Because I love TMIs. LOL!!!
But seriously, you have brought up an important point, and a bit of a strawman, I’m afraid, when you say: "we can’t really underestimate what’s in the herbs either (until we know for sure what’s in them)".
Let me explain why. No scientist (broadly, including physicians, too) who works with or practises science- and evidence-based medicine underestimates the impact of herbs. As you have yourself noted, many of the modern medicines depend upon biological or chemically-resynthesized active principles of various medicinal herbs. It is for the same reason you are often asked to fill out a form at your doctor’s office what medicines you have taken lately, including herbal medications, because there are known drug-drug interactions between various modern drugs and the said active principles.
However, there are two important points to be made here. First, the traditional medicine systems (such as TCM, Ayurvedic, Yunani, and so forth) are inherently dangerous because – although they use the same herbs – there is no regulation of the purity and concentration (let alone dose-related PK/PD parameters) of the active principles in a given herbal medicine preparation; there is no regulation of other active principles (from same or other herbs) possibly contaminating the said preparation. There have been instances of steroids being liberally mixed with Ayurvedic medicines, and no one was the wiser until steroid-related symptoms started popping up, and the Indian manufacturer was investigated. It is not difficult to see how that can happen anywhere.
Secondly, your statement about homeopathy ("you make a good point about how messy and imprecise homeopathy can be") is erroneous IMO; perhaps you are conflating homeopathy and herbal medicine? Or perhaps it is a cultural/linguistic thing as Mike Fowler pointed out above:
Homeopathy in Spain
Apparently gains
By embracing herbal
(mucho dinero, not just verbal)-
It pours, when it rains.
There is nothing ‘messy’ and ‘imprecise’ about homeopathy – simply because there is nothing in it.
HAHA..well, love the attitude ("Because I love the TMIs" and you sound proud of it). Nice rap too.
My apologies on going after the straw man ~ what comes of staying up all night and overdoing the legally addictive stimulants (caffeine..). Thanks for the response. Lack of regulation over concentrations and purity is a worry. Also, almost anyone can be an uncertified ‘naturopath’ or homeopath at a nutritional supplement store (I’ve worked for one). Pretty much, you just have to be hired by a retailer who sells herbal and homeopathic remedies. Bit of a worry when they hire eager 20 y.o. footballers, who wind up recommending solutions to people with acute conditions like diabetes or arthritis. But, at least, there’s nothing in homeopathy. Can’t wait to see what comes of the 10:23 campaign.
Okay…special-K(Kausik) is dead on. The herbs have chemical properties or compound of some sort that make them effective. Take horse chestnut seed for example…We know the chemical compound aescin is in the seed and that it makes ingestion of the seed effective at treating hemorrhoid. That’s why you got companies like hemrid out there that I’m sure are raking in the $$$. Because its risk free and takes care of those nasty bumbs.
Speaking of TMI……there is a testimonial video that would crack you up Linda of a guy named “Steve”!(www.hemrid.com) Anyways…the point is there are a lot of herbs that we just dont know why they do what they do because we have not identified their chemical composition yet….we just have to wait………..
Great post all!-Bernie
Flavonoids are an excellent astringent and a great way to cure hemorrhoids. It’d be awesome if flavonoids can be extracted and used individually as a treatment, instead of relying on vegetables and herbs; it skips the breaking down process and the astringent effect is immediately applied. Hope the research eventually becomes successful!
Firstly, my answer would be “ouch” 🙂 No matter how common Hemorrhoids are, if left unattended it could result in more complicated health issues. I like your post. Will be visiting here often.
Surely, everyone has hemorrhoids. But the one with healthy hemorrhoids won’t get any discomfort or swollen feelings.
Even today the underlying cause of hemorrhoids is not understood so “official” medical treatments are only treating the symptoms, as most likely are home remedies. Homeopathic treatments are, as you point out, nothing more than just water and would have no impact on the (or any) condition (unless being dehydrated is a factor). Dietary and/or lifestyle change may all be that’s required to prevent “piles” from reoccurring. In my own case, stress at work brought on my first bout of piles. Changing my job eventually solved the problem (reduced stress).
People tend to forget that modern medicines have evolved from old home remedies that have been proven to work over time and be efficacious. Quackery is involved with all the remedies that didn’t work but still appeal to people for some reason – hope of a cure in the face of conflicting evidence being the prime motivator.
Modern medicines will help,some people do get lucky and get rid of hemorrhoids, usually it is only temporary.
A lot of people have to be reminded that the cure for hemorrhoids takes a change in your everyday lifestyle.
Home remedies can work if you stick with it.
The natural treatment is the best option for this problem.
Even though the above is a spam comment, I shall allow it with the response:
[citation needed]
Although as you say hemorrhoids are not life threatening or dangerous, they are pretty uncomfortable and quite painful. Using an all natural product does tend to have a more lasting effect, also increasing your fiber intake as well as drinking water helps. I realize its not ideal drinking water, prefer a glass of wine myself, but that’s not as good for hemorrhoid treatment, more enjoyable though.
[citation needed]
Dear Kaushik,
No Natural Remedy can be said to 100% safe and even our Ayurveda has given in great details plus/minus points of all herbs…(Rasa-Guna of Drvya) its possible effect on individual having various other or specific problems.. e.g. the person who is suffering from cough & cold, ayurveda will prescribe only the hot & dry remedies like Ginger etc…& and prohibit Ghee, Salt, Sugar for the patient….There is no concept of “mass manufacture of medicine” in Ayurveda…. each and every person is taken as a distinctly different entity due to Three Dosha’s rules…and treated individually keepin in mind his/her specific problems…and most certainly brings about good results…
regards,
AJAY – INDIA
I deleted your duplicate comment on this.
“… most certainly brings about good results…”
This is a matter of your belief without a shred of factual evidence. Sorry, it doesn’t wash.
Ice and cold in this article, write about that ice and cold water to help with hemorrhoids.
but, let’s face it. Homeopathy doesn’t have any potential to do damage. Western medicine however can do much much damage. take fore example Chemotherapy.
The damage caused by homeopathy may not always be readily apparent, but it exists and affects the victims as well as bystanders. A good place to start understanding this harm would be the homeopathy-related page of WhatsTheHarm.net.
know your words before you speak, just disrespecting something inspite of lack of knowledge about it isn’t going to make you great. You first need to know the science to comment about it. anywayz God knows best.
…Aaaaand a troll breezes in, leaves droppings of no discernible value whatsoever, and leaves. Sigh.
Dear Kaushik,
I am a 58 years old student of Alternative Medicines…Ayurveda, Biochemic Remedies, Dr. Back Remedies, Yoga, Spiritual Sciences etc…
The point against the Homeopathy is that some 90%+ basic drugs/herbs used are of poisionous origin, there is no concept of “drug purification” like Ayurveda or Siddha Medicines, so irrespective of potentization, some traces of poision will always remain with the remedy… that is one of the major reason for aggrevations even when taken in extremely diluted dosages… I have a large personal library of Homeo Classical Books which I had purchased previously… but now… I am not even touching them !!!
As on date we are using only ayurveda, yoga breathing excercises, biochemic drugs & dr. bach remedies…. with great results for our own family !!! I am not a practicener but a student only… always willing to learn & experiment & decide its usefulness…
Keep up your good job…with best regards,
Ajay – Gujarat – India
Ajay, I have no doubt that you believe firmly in what you just wrote, and I am equally sure that I shall be unable to dispel most of these notions. Let me simply put in a few sentences (knowing fully well that they will not lead to your edification):
“…point against the Homeopathy is that some 90%+ basic drugs/herbs used are of poisionous origin, there is no concept of “drug purification”…”
The point against homeopathy is that there is no medicinal substance left in any “remedy” beyond the 6C or 12X dilution. Nothing, no trace, no “memory”, zilch. It is not possible for homeopathy (or anything) to go against the fundamental laws of physics and chemistry.
“…so irrespective of potentization, some traces of poision (sic) will always remain with the remedy…”
Nope. There is nothing. No medicine, no “poison”, nothing.
“…ayurveda, yoga breathing excercises, biochemic drugs & dr. bach remedies…”
Yoga breathing exercises are not “alternative medicine”. They are just that, exercises, with questionable, but possible benefits. “Biochemic drugs” are diluted chemical substances; the dilution is sometimes reasonable (say, 6X), but there is no evidence that random chemical substances, like magnesium phosphate (“Mag Phos”), potassium chloride (“Kali Mur”), sodium sulfate (“Natrum sulf”) et cetera can suddenly, magically provide medical benefits to a wide range of disorders as claimed. “Bach flower remedies” are pure undiluted quackery, with no evidence of medical efficacy beyond wishful thinking.
Ayurveda, on the other hand, deals with medicinal plants and herbal substances, but its tall claims about efficacy are often over-exaggerated. It is true that many medicinal herbs and plants are the source of pharmacoactive substances, but it has often required semi-synthetic processes to generate the medicinal substances and test extensively to eliminate the side effects of the raw material. Let me take two examples that Ayurveda-believers often cite, the NSAID/painkiller Aspirin (related to Willow bark) and cancer drug Taxol/Paclitaxel (related to Yew tree).
Salicin, the pharmacoactive agent in Willow bark extract, was identified in mid-nineteenth century, but it took more than 70 years for it appear in the market as acetylsalicylate (“aspirin”), a chemical modification which provides the pain-relieving, anti-inflammatory benefits of salicin without the severe side effects. Taxol is present in Pacific Yew tree needles in a precursor form (deacetylbaccatin); for any appreciable medicinal use, it needed to be extracted and chemical converted to the active form. However, the amount present is so small, the many trees had be harvested to get enough raw material. As a result, the manufacturers have now moved production to a plant cell culture based facility and semi-synthetic processes.
Needless to say, Ayurveda was not involved, nor required, in any of these.
Dear Kaushik,
My Valid Clarifications:
“The point against homeopathy is that there is no medicinal substance left in any “remedy” beyond the 6C or 12X dilution. Nothing, no trace, no “memory”, zilch. It is not possible for homeopathy (or anything) to go against the fundamental laws of physics and chemistry”
MY REPLY – There is in fact a ULTRA subtle energy in the universe… which is much beyond the science of physics & chemistry… which is know as “PRANA ENERGY”.. not Oxygen but much beyond Oxygen… entire Yogic Science is based on correcting & manipulating & refining this PRANA ENERGY…
In the 1930s British Medical Society made the same mistake and cancelled the Medical Licence of Dr. Edward Back…. later this very BMA… had to both ACCEPT & RESTORE back the Medical Licence of Dr. Back…there is written proofs available from BMA… if you wants to verify …… or else you cab contact Edward Bach Center London for more guidance…..& proofs….. why should I tell any lies ???
Homeopathy works on a Principle of Vibrational Remedies… if any one claims that it doesn’t have any physical or chemical parts or even traces…let him take MERCURIUS 200 just 5 pill three times a day…ONLY for one / two day and experiance the GREAT AGGRAVTIONS of the same…..which are most difficult to cure by ANY Medicines…. because it is made from Highly Potent Poision – Mercury !!! …it is proof my statement… test it & verify yourself !!!
Tell me on what PROVEN physical or chemical laws… our HEARTS are 24*7 BEATING ????
For LIVER DISEASES…. Allophathy has UTTERLY FAILED….it is only Ayurveda which can CURE various LIVER problems….
For IBS – i.e. there is NO REMEDY in Allopathy which can ever CURE Irritable Bowel Syndrom…. ONLY Ayurveda can CURE it with GURANTEE….
For KIDNEY DIALYSIS….ONLY Ayurveda can provide GREAT RELIEF that for next 3 to 5 years the person will be relieved from going for DIALYSIS…if he takes 3 months Ayurvedic Course…..
If you want to know more contact me by e-mail…. I will take you to RIGHT MEDICAL AUTHORITIES…. I am not a practitioner… but have EXTENSIVE KNOWLEDGE of various ALTERNATIVE MEANS OF KEEPING HEALTHY….
My family has not taken ANY Allopathic Medicines SINCE LAST 10+++ years…
You are being an Indian.. so earlier I thought you will understand & appreciate my view points….being a great Son of Mother India !!!
It is claimed that : Entire ALLOPAHIC INDUSTRY is managed by most manipulative business houses… popularly known as ZIONISTS…. Google it for more informations…their motive is NEVER TO CURE… but to keep the patient EVER IN NEED OF MEDICINES… so that they can manage their trillion $+++ enterpises…keep running & making HUGE profits from them !!!!
It is claimed that : FDA has so far managed to KILL under one or other hypothetical legal pretext, several promising MEDICAL SCIENTIST…. More people have died taking Allopathic medicines… than by War + Famine + natural disasters all put together….
regards,
Ajay
I am sorry, Ajay – at this time there is no point in discussing anything with you any further. You are clearly too deeply invested in idiotic, pseudoscientific quackery, not to mention, crank conspiracy theories, and as a consequence, trying to have a rational discussion with you would be an utter waste of my time. I shall say “Good-bye” to you now, and any further comment from you would be ignored (and may be deleted).
Oh, and your appeal for understanding to me as an Indian (in lieu of evidence) is downright insulting not only to me, but as well to India, a nation with a rich heritage of the spirit of enquiry, which is central to science. Shame!
Ab aaya oonth pahar ke niche.
A profound observation, no doubt. Perhaps meant for some other blog?
Are not hemorrhoids a symptom. Addressing the symptom will undoubtedly provide relief, albeit, shorlived. Addressing the root cause can eliminate them permanently.
http://www.hemorrhoidsvanished.com/?hop=3rdvalve
You know that external hemorrhoids may also cause irritation, intermittent swelling, and mild discomfort, especially after a period of diarrhea or constipation.
For More : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_UJOhRQAkY
Kausik,
All nature and world around us can provide natural remedies. The humanity used natural remedies for thousands of years. How idiot can be a person to claim that nothing from nature is healing, but you need the “scientific” geniuses from the XIX-XX century to extract the active ingredients, do synthesis, create artificial substances, that actually kills more people today. Do you realize that your pretended “scientific” attitude is actually ignorance?
Stefan, perhaps you should look up and read on “naturalistic fallacy”? And while you’re at it, please do a little bit more, and compare morbidity and mortality and life expectancy data from earlier times to those in contemporary times. “The humanity used natural remedies for thousands of years” is not a valid excuse to cling doggedly to inefficient (at best), ineffective, or potentially deadly (at worst) “therapies” which rely only on blind faith and gullibility of users.
The “… claim that nothing from nature is healing” is a strawman argument of yours. But congratulations on creating a most apt moniker for classical homeopathy, “Nothing from Nature”. There really, literally, is nothing – no substance of therapeutic significance – in homeopathic “remedies” with dilutions beyond 12C or 23X.
Adding a simple fiber to your diet and increasing the amount of water that you consume. You will find that this helps you to reduce the amount of straining that will be needed for a bowel movement and as an added bonus it can make a future occurrence of hemorrhoids less likely. more helpful hints
Homeopathy provides rapid relief for the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids. Homeopathic remedies have astringent, anti-inflammatory, pain relieving and laxative properties. Homeopathic remedies not only control bleeding, itching, pain and soothe internal or external inflamed tissues but will actually eliminate Hemorrhoids completely. Homeopathy provides an inexpensive, safe, natural, noninvasive and more curative approach for hemorrhoids and can also be used in pregnant women
Evidence-free, undiluted bullshit. Not a single assertion here has been demonstrated to be true for classical homeopathy.
I don’t think your are a Homoeopath or haemorrhoid patient.
You are internet researcher, copy paste blogger.
There is no need of operations in
Urinary stone
Gall stone
Scoliosis and lordosis
Uterine fibroids
Piles
Hernia
Dont believe everything you think.
Instead of ad hominem pronouncements, perhaps you could adduce some evidence in support of homeopathy’s alleged function? Else, you are simply one of those deluded pseudoscience-embracing ignorant troll.
Dear,
Please remove your blog…
Unless you take medicine … How it can be proved..
You do realize how your reply makes absolutely no sense, don’t you?
Please add me on Skype live:gdgirase…
I would like to begin with Asthma case (If you Agree), to prove Homoeopathy for you…
Asthma is curable condition only in Homoeopathy ….
… [Citation Needed]
Your comments about homeopathy are Disgusting! Anyone sharing your views is a pill pusher fed by the large pharmaceutical companies! Where do you think these drugs fed to you originally came from? Naturopath’s and homeopaths, these drugs are now artificially manufactured by these large companies to reduce production costs and increase profit margins, you fools! This is the most idiotic thing I have ever heard! You have all lost touch with the world and what it provides us with to live!!! Let me guess you all livid in big houses, drive flashy cars, never dig in the soil to grow anything and buy all of your groceries from the nearest supermarket…. Get with it morons!
So many words. So. Many. Words. And yet not a single word towards showing any evidence that homeopathy overcomes its implausibility and actually works. This is getting more and more sad and pathetic by the minute.
Thank you to all, whom support homeopathic treatment, it along with naturopathy will continue to out perform this ignorance of ‘modern medicine’ inclusive of it’s poisons and incorrect use of antibiotics along with its controversial cancer treatments! Common milk thistle has been proven to prevent tissue growth, of all types, but let’s see a portion of Cell destroying radiation therapy administered to anyone who disagrees first before any drug company puts its time and energy into a stupid thistle, and let our governments tell us how and what to eat along with it, yum fast food is killing you all along with your favourite food, the one thing you all love and are addicted to SUGAR!!!!
Such a righteous rant. No shred of evidence for homeopathy though.
Kaushik you are a idiot, ass hole and stupid fellow.. ask me how? do you know what is idiot? i am telling idiot means ignorance and fool. when you dont know about anything so dont give such idiot comments. ok now i am asking you some question and answer me. a person when alive is doing all his work. the moment he dye he is incapable of doing anything. can you please explain what is inside the body that differentiate between alive and dead. i know you cant..go and google it then answer.. you foolish fellow just keep silence . dont bark like a dog .
Awwww Vishal! Such eloquence! Did that rant make you feel better, cupcake? Good. Now go find me some solid, acceptable evidence for the alleged therapeutic effect of homeopathy, will you? That’s a dear.
I had a very short bout of this ailment postpartum, caused by the normal portion of my labour. I guess the pushing led to the problem. The nurse brought me a box of witch hazel pads because in addition to everything else that was going on with my body, these were also quite painful. Coupled with the constipation caused by my painkillers, the haemarrhoids were quite the nasty situation. Anyway even when the nurse handed me the witch hazel pads, she told me that the haemarrhoids would go away on their own and the witch hazel would just make me more comfortable, but would not cure me of them.
I was also given an ointment and a warm water bath – neither of which I ever had the time or the patience to use postpartum. The haemarrhoids went away about 3 weeks after appearing on their own. Good riddance I must say.
You have added a valuable insight about an important situation in which hemorrhoids form, Rini. The proffered rationale for using Witch Hazel (a.k.a. Hammamelis) is that it is supposed to be an astringent, which would presumably dry out and reduce the inflammation around the hemorrhoids. Unfortunately, the so-far identified components in Hammamelis haven’t been found effective, and the overall evidence of the efficacy of Witch Hazel in peripartum perineal hemorrhoids is rather sketchy – according to the most recent (2012) Cochrane Database Review looking at use of various managements of perineal pain.
While hemorrhoids aren’t dangerous, they are very painful, especially in pregnancy.
In addition to eating fiber rich diet, yoga too has benefits in hemorrhoids. However, there is not much awareness about yoga among people.
“… there is not much awareness about yoga among people”
Perhaps you’d like to ameliorate that situation by providing in this space some links to good quality, peer-reviewed research articles in reputable journals, showing benefits of yoga in hemorrhoids or anything else?
It would appear Kausik, with all due respect, that you may have cause in your lifetime to regret your misunderstanding of homoeopathy. Be cured of something through it….start with arrogance perhaps, to prevent the dis-ease that causes.
Sincerely
For once I’d like to interact with a better quality of troll… Someone who at least tries to adduce some evidence, however far-fetched, in favor of homeopathy – without taking recourse to ad hominem attacks. Or is that asking for too much?
Yes. You are right that most of the hemorrhoids heals on its own. Personally I believe that in initial stage of piles only some changes in diet and lifestyle are sufficient to cure this problem. Yes it is true that if not taken care timely this problem of piles may get worse and complicated. As being an ayurvedic physician i must say that i have treated so many piles patients successfully with ayurvedic piles medicine
Ayurvedic ≠ homeopathy. I hope you are not suggesting otherwise. Herbal medicines like Ayurvedic likely contain essential chemical substances of plant origin, and many of those substances may well be pharmacoactive. Whether they are actually effective in a clinical setting is a different question altogether, because PK/PD parameters will apply to any pharmacoactive substance regardless of its source.
On the other hand, classical homeopathy with dilutions beyond 12C or 24X contains no active principle.