As a practitioner of Traditional Chinese Medicine, I have had great results treating hemorrhoids (piles) with my patients. Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the rectum or anus. If they stay inside the anus they are called internal hemorrhoids. Those that protrude outside the anus are called external hemorrhoids. This condition is very common, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth. Hemorrhoids result from increased pressure in the veins of the anus. The pressure causes the veins to bulge and expand, making them painful, particularly when you are sitting.

The most common cause is straining during bowel movements. Hemorrhoid may result from Constipation, sitting for long periods of time, and anal infections. In some cases they may be caused by other diseases, such as liver Cirrhosis.

Differentiation between anal fissures and hemorrhoids should be taken into consideration. An anal fissure is simply a physical tear in the anal sphincter that causes pain during bowel movements (like stool contains sharp objects) and leave blood-streaked toilet paper. These are generally caused by Constipation, straining, and large stools. Anal fissures are stubborn long narrow sores that re-open and get irritated every time one has a bowel movement.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
Anal itching
Anal ache or pain, especially while sitting
Bright red blood on toilet tissue, stool, or in the toilet bowl
Pain during bowel movements
One or more hard tender lumps near the anus

Chinese Medicine divides hemorrhoids into 3 stages:
1st Stage - small hemorrhoids which do not go protrude to the exterior, fresh bleeding upon defecation.

2nd Stage - protrusion of tissues from the anus with bleeding, although the tissue retracts into the sphincter within a short period of time.

3rd Stage - bleeding with large protruding hemorrhoids that require physical pushing to place back into the interior of the anus. They may exit the body with coughing, sneezing. laughing, when fatigued, or when standing for a long period of time.

Prevention
Keep stool soft. Include plenty of water, fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains, and fiber in you daily diet.

Regular exercise promotes smooth bowel movements.

Try to breathe through your bowel movements (do not hold your breath), DO NOT STRAIN. Take your time, relax and it doesn't hurt to enjoy it.

Try to not sit or stand for prolonged durations too often. Take short walks, stretch, and contract your mid-section to get the blood flowing through that area.

Keep the anal area clean, although one should be gentle with cleansing. Try to use chemical free soaps such as pure olive oil soaps, or baby wipes.

Squat during defecation, the toilet seat may make it more difficult to pass the feces by compacting the anal canal. Try platforms on either side of the toilet to raise yourself up if your knees are higher than you buttock when sitting.

Anal exercises, tighten and hold sphincter/anal muscles while contracting the abdomen, do not hold your breath, contract and repeat as often as possible.

Keep emotions smooth flowing, do not let them run your life! Anger in particular can aggravate hemorrhoids.