Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins in anus and lower rectum. Medical problems with them may result from straining during bowel movements or from the increased pressure on these veins. It is a very sensitive issue bothering many people, but almost nobody wants to talk about it openly – even in front of a doctor.

Hemorrhoids may be located inside the rectum (more serious internal hemorrhoids), or they may develop under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids).

The term originally comes from ancient Greece and stands for bleeding, one of the main symptoms (haima, meaning “blood”, plus rhoos, meaning “stream” or “flowing”). Among other symptoms there is unpleasant itching, growing pain, and in severe cases prolapse.

How Cannabis Helps?

Currently there is no scientific data available of treating people suffering from hemorrhoids with cannabis, nonetheless the anti-inflammatory, analgesic and healing properties of this plant have been confirmed in many studies during recent years. Worth mentioning is also a growing number of anecdotal evidence on the internet and social networks showing how local application of creams and rectal suppositories1 can significantly help with the treatment. By the way, the ancient Egyptians used cannabis in suppositories for relieving the pain of hemorrhoids already 4 000 years ago.