Holly Hayden seems to think so, and claims to have a ‘cure’ using a combination of Chinese herbs, simple diets and short 1 minute exercises effecting a complete cure within 48 hours.

General opinion is that hemorrhoids generally cannot be cured. They can only be relieved – by adjusting what you eat and the amount of liquids that you drink.

What are they?

Hemorrhoids are lumps of swollen tissue which form in the lower rectum and anal canal as a result of pressure on the tissues surrounding the arteries which supply fresh blood to the rectal and anal regions. Sometimes they become large enough to cause interference in the movement of the stool through the bowel. In severe cases, the tissue lumps are forced out through the anus, causing pain and prolonged bleeding.

Two ‘types’ of hemorrhoids are identified – those which form in the lower rectum and those which develop around the anus. Both types bleed, are uncomfortable, and are silently suffered by nearly 4% of the adult population.

General consensus is that hemorrhoids, once developed, are there for good, fluctuating in severity depending on the diet consumed, and that all we can do is relieve the symptoms.

How can they be helped?

For the worst: Surgical intervention including the newest method of stapled hemorrhoidectomy. There is still a 20 % chance that they will return.

Non-operative surgical intervention all of which result in the scarring of the support tissues, which has the effect of preventing the artery tissues from bulging and becoming traumatised during bowel movements.

Over the counter treatments include products containing local anesthetics, astringents, barrier protectants in the form of oils, zinc oxide, kaolin, cocoa butter, etc,

Vasoconstrictors which reduce the blood supply to the tissues, thereby reducing the swelling, are also used, as are antiseptics, analgesics, keratolytics (these break down the top layer of tissue allowing medication to penetrate to the deeper levels of tissue involved in the treatment) and corticosteroids.

Aromatherapy makes use of rose geranium oil which acts as an astringent, and has been proved effective in relieving the symptoms. Hem-eez is reputed to get rid of them, as is aloe vera, extract of the sedum plant, witchhazel, and other herbal mixtures and potions.

If you suffer from hemmorrhoids, there are things you can do to help yourself. Eat high fibre cereals for breakfast, and fruit and vegetables daily to provide additional fibre, take a daily dose of olive oil, drink more water, and exercise the pelvic floor muscles by means of Kegel exercises.

Kegel exercises involve tightening the pelvic floor muscles – those that support the anus and lower rectum – in order to strengthen them and provide support where it is needed.