Can home remedies help with hemorrhoids?

Q. I do computer work, so most of my day is spent sitting. Over the past few months, I have been noticing a small bump just around my anus. There's no pain or itching. And it's not inside the anal area. It seems to get filled with blood when I put more pressure while using the toilet. It's almost like swollen skin - very soft, without any hardness. What could this be? Are there any home remedies?

A. I suspect that it's a hemorrhoid. A hemorrhoid is an enlarged blood vessel in or just outside the anus.

To reduce the swelling and ease discomfort, you want to keep stools soft by taking fiber and drinking plenty of liquid.

You can get bulk-forming fiber powder (psyllium fiber) without a prescription. There are many brands. Generic versions work just as well as brand-name products. You can find flavored and sweetened types. The usual dose is 2 teaspoons or 2 packets in liquid once or twice a day.

Unprocessed bran is an alternative way to take fiber. It may be cheaper than psyllium fiber, but it might be less convenient to take. You can buy it from health food stores and some grocery stores. (Look for "unprocessed bran.") Take 1/4 to 1/3 cup per day. Mix it with yogurt, cereal, applesauce, or anything you like.

Bran and psyllium fiber are not laxatives. They are from natural, nondigestible seed husks. They stay in the intestine and absorb water to make the stools soft. They make bowel movements bulky and soft. So it's easier for your intestine to handle.

Some people notice a little cramping, bloating, or gas when they begin taking fiber. If so, start with a small amount and gradually increase the dose. Keep increasing the dose until your stools are quite soft, like paste. Drink plenty of liquids with it.

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