Natural Remedies For Hemorrhoids
- By Matthew Solan, Executive Editor, Harvard Men’s Health Watch
Hemorrhoids are painful, unpleasant, and, um, well, difficult to talk about. But they actually are quite common: about half of people over age 50 have had them. However, theyre easy to treat and manage.
Hemorrhoids can be troublesome and embarrassing, but they often shrink on their own with simple self-help care and over-the-counter remedies, says Dr. Howard LeWine, assistant professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School.
Best Bath Soak: Better Bath Better Body Sitz Bath Soak
Sprinkle this soothing Epsom salt soak right into your sitz bath. Pure juniper essential oil and pure niaouli essential oil combine with Epsom salt, which is one of Dr. Nazarian’s favorite ingredients for hemorrhoid relief, to reduce pain, cleanse, and support blood vessel function, as well as to reduce swelling. This all-star combination is what’s earned this bath soak its 4.7-star rating on Amazon.
“I have very sensitive skin especially in the ‘sitz bath department,’ even psoriasis,” a reviewer shares. “I am reluctant to use any product that has a fragrance. But I needed something desperately for hemorrhoids, so I ordered this and a seat for the toilet. I have had zero irritation from it and it is helping my problem.”
Best Cooling: Truremedy Remedy Hemorrhoid Balm
This cooling balm gets to work fast to reduce hemorrhoid-causing burning, swelling, and itchiness with its essential oil-fortified formula, which includes tea tree, eucalyptus, lavender, and rosemary in addition to witch hazel, arnica, and yarrow. Additionally, it helps eliminate bacteria and prevents future flare-ups by keeping the affected area soothed and balanced.
“You can put it in the refrigerator so it’s extra cooling,” . “I actually noticed immediate relief when I put it on, and the next morning everything calmed down. I feel like it goes a long way too, and those other creams I feel like I use so much in the tubes never last.”
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When Should I See A Doctor
As demonstrated above, the causes of rectal bleeding run the gamut of severity, from hard stools to colorectal cancer. If you experience any kind of unexpected rectal bleeding, its a good idea to talk to a doctor. If you notice fresh blood in your stools, a change in stool color, pain during bowel movements, incontinence, or lack of control over your bowel movements, contact your doctor or a trusted healthcare provider.1 If you experience a drop in blood pressure or experience unexplained weight loss, you should also seek medical attention.1 Do not attempt to treat your bleeding hemorrhoids or rectal bleeding with a topical treatment without consulting a medical professional.
1. Rectal bleeding. MedlinePlus. . Accessed 3/23/21. Referenced text is indicated in source PDF.
2. Rectal bleeding Definition. Mayo Clinic. . Accessed 3/23/21. Referenced text is indicated in source PDF.
3. Rectal bleeding Causes. Mayo Clinic. . Accessed 3/23/21. Referenced text is indicated in source PDF.
4. Hemorrhoids. MedlinePlus. . Accessed 3/23/21. Referenced text is indicated in source PDF.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use Preparation H Cooling Gel if you are allergic to it Preparation H Cooling Gel .
Ask a doctor or pharmacist if it is safe for you to use this medicine if you have:
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a thyroid disorder.
Ask a doctor before using this medicine if you are pregnant or breast-feeding.
Always ask a doctor before using Preparation H Cooling Gel on a child. Do not give this medicine to a child younger than 2 years old.
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What Should I Eat With Hemorrhoids
Eating whole grains and other foods that are high in fiber can help ease symptoms of hemorrhoids, such as discomfort and swelling. These foods can also help prevent hemorrhoids from forming by making the stool bulky and softening it. This helps you avoid straining, which can lead to hemorrhoids. When you increase your fiber intake, you should do so gradually to lower your risk of having gas.
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Less Time In The Bathroom
Johannsson et al6 reported that patients with hemorrhoids spent more time on the toilet and had to strain harder and more often than controls in the community and hospital.
Garg and Singh7 and Garg8 use the mnemonic TONE for appropriate defecation habits:
- Three minutes during defecation.
- No straining and no cell phone use during defecation.
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What Type Of Hemorrhoid Do I Have It Matters
First, you must be reading this because you have a hemorrhoid. Do you know what kind of hemorrhoid you have? The reason I ask is because IT MATTERS.
There are multiple types of hemorrhoids, such as internal, external, and thrombosed. Not to confuse you, but both internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids can also be thrombosed.
Diagnosis Of Rectal Bleeding
Do not assume the rectal bleeding is from hemorrhoids. A physical exam, rectal exam, sigmoidoscopy, and in some cases colonoscopy is mandatory to identify the cause of the bleeding and help rule out other conditions such as colon or rectal cancer. Associated change in bowel habits, weight loss, and abdominal pain mandate additional testing. New onset rectal bleeding in someone over the age of 40 that is not typical of hemorrhoids or does not respond to banding requires further testing with colonoscopy. Selected patients under the age of 40 may also need colonoscopy as colon cancer does occasionally occur in younger individuals. Sexually transmitted diseases of the rectum such as HPV, syphilis, gonorrhea, or herpes may also cause rectal bleeding.
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Best Spray: Earth Mama Herbal Perineal Spray
Boasting witch hazel, lavender, cucumber, and peppermint oil, a few spritzes of this spray can soothe, cleanse, and decrease inflammation in areas where hemorrhoids develop. Its nozzle is designed to work upside-down for a touch-free application, delivering instant soothing in hard-to-reach areas. For extra relief, store the bottle in the fridge for a cooling sensation when you use it.
Now I am currently 19 days postpartum, I delivered an eight-pound baby boy via the help of a forcep delivery, . I had several tears that were second-degree tears, including a brutal episiotomy and severe hemorrhoids More than two weeks postpartum Im back on my feet and still using this spray which is in fact very cooling and very refreshing. I still have a long way to go in recovering down there, but this product has helped so far.
What Is The Best Cream For External Hemorrhoids
Best topical treatments for hemorrhoids
- Preparation H Hemorrhoid Symptom Treatment Ointment, Itching, Burning & amp, Discomfort Relief.
- Preparation H Hemorrhoid Symptom Treatment Suppositories.
- Tucks Multi-Care Relief Kit.
- Burts Bees Baby Chlorine-Free Wipes.
- Cottonelle GentlePlus Flushable Wet Wipes with Aloe & amp, Vitamin E.
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Cooling Gel Preparation H For Hemorrhoids
The Cooling Gel Preparation H helps get relief for seriously inflamed and out of control external hemorrhoids fast. The active ingredients include phenylephrine, the same blood vessel constrictor thats found in standard Preparation H, and witch hazel extract, which also helps cool inflamed tissues and shrink blood vessels. In combination, these two active ingredients soothe itching and burning and temporarily shrink inflamed hemorrhoidal tissue.
Considering that the Cooling Gel Preparation H is, in fact, a gel, it shouldnt come as a surprise that the inactive ingredients list doesnt have very many traditional oil-based moisturizers in it. However, it does have aloe barbadensis leaf juice in combination with purified water, Vitamin E acetate, and propylene glycol, a common moisturizer to help protect and soothe hemorrhoids. The rest of the inactive ingredients are either gel-builders, such as hydroxyethyl cellulose, and polysorbate 80, or preservatives such as edetate sodium, sulisobenzone, methylparaben, propylparaben, and sodium citrate. Whenever trying to create an oil-free gel, then preserving the active ingredients becomes more important because a water-based gel increases active ingredient exposure to oxygen.
One important note about the Cooling Gel Preparation H for hemorrhoids treatment is that you cannot put it in the anorectal canal. Cooling Gel Preparation H is only usable on external hemorrhoids.
How Is Prep Done For A Hemorrhoidectomy
This process is usually done at home with a laxative or an enema and is meant to remove all fecal matter from the colon, making surgeries easier and reducing the risk of infection. The method of bowel prep can vary from hospital to hospital and procedure to procedure, so be sure to educate your patients on what they should do.
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Why Do Hemorrhoids Bleed
Even though internal, external, and thrombosed hemorrhoids are all slightly different, one of the commonalities between them is possible bleeding as a symptom. Bleeding can occur for a variety of reasons, but the main reason is due to straining during a bowel movement when swollen, inflamed hemorrhoids are subjected to excessive straining, the surface of the hemorrhoid can become damaged and start to bleed. This can also happen when a person is constipated and has dry, hard stools. Because of pressure from pooling blood, thrombosed hemorrhoids can actually burst and cause significant bleeding as well.
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Desitin Vs Preparation H Active Ingredient Comparison
Desitins main active ingredient is Zinc Oxide 40%. Zinc Oxide forms a protective sheet or barrier over the skin that helps to heal and protect against rashes, wounds, redness, and irritation. Zinc Oxide has shown to be a very effective ingredient for rashes, skin irritations, and itching.
Preparation H has 4 active ingredients to Desitins 1 active ingredients. These 4 active ingredients are Glycerin 14.4%, Phenylephrine HCl 0.25%, Pramoxine HCl 1%, and White petrolatum 15%.
Glycerin and White Petrolatum are skin protectants. Like Zinc Oxide, they provide a barrier that protects the skin from outside contaminants and from further irritation. While Zinc Oxide is a better skin protectant, the other two active ingredients in the Preparation H cream push it over the edge in comparison to Desitin.
The Pramoxine HCL found in Prep H is a topical pain-numbing anesthetic. So, you will get immediate pain relief. The Zinc Oxide does provide pain relief but in more of a soothing way. It does not have a numbing effect like the Pramoxine HCL.
The Pramoxine HCL will actually block the nerves from telling your body that you are in pain.
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Warm Bath With Epsom Salt
Warm baths can help soothe irritation from hemorrhoids. Try using a sitz bath a small plastic tub that fits over a toilet seat so you can just immerse the affected area or take a bath in a tub, if you can.
Try a warm bath or a sitz bath for 20 minutes after each bowel movement. Adding Epsom salt to the bath can provide further relief by reducing pain.
Preparation H For Hemorrhoids Safety And Storage Considerations
Many Preparation H products use several vasoconstrictors, astringents and so on, so all of the safety and storage information is presented here for all of the products. Fortunately, safety and storage dont vary much across the spectrum of Preparation H hemorrhoid treatments.
First off, ask your doctor before using any Preparation H hemorrhoids treatment if you have heart disease, high blood pressure, thryoid disease, or diabetes. Men should ask the doctor before starting Preparation H treatment if you have difficulty urinating because of prostate gland enlargement. Women should ask first if pregnant or breastfeeding. Children under 12 years of age should only use Preparation H with a doctor recommendation.
Second, ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any Preparation H hemorrhoids treatment if you are currently taking any prescription medications for high blood pressure or depression. Pharmacists are often a bit more up to date on potential drug interactions and asking them is free at your local drugstore.
Next, you should stop use and ask your doctor if bleeding happens, the hemorrhoids do not improve or even get worse within seven days.
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The Best Hemorrhoid Creams And Treatments
- Best Cooling:TruRemedy Remedy Hemorrhoid Balm
New York-based dermatologist Rachel Nazarian, MD, agrees. “I prefer having patients do sitz baths daily, which involves having them take warm baths and soaking the area,” she says. Dr. Nazarian also backs over-the-counter products that contain witch hazel, since this ingredient is calming and anti-inflammatory. ” are available in pads and wipes that can be applied directly to the hemorrhoid to help with symptomatic relief.”
Sometimes, external hemorrhoids can shrink to the point that you don’t notice they’re there. But if you do experience bleeding from your rectum, it’s important to see your doctor, especially if you’ve never had hemorrhoids before. Your doctor can do an examination and perform other tests to rule out something more serious. There are also medical procedures to actually remove hemorrhoids in case they don’t disappear.
The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to prevent constipation, which in turn will help ward off swollen veins. “Eat a diet high in fiber, drink plenty of water, and exercise regularly,” says Dr. Rajapaksa. Examples of fiber-rich foods include beans, whole grains, corn, lentils, artichokes, and fresh fruits and veggies. “Taking a fiber supplement daily can help decrease straining,” she adds. While it may not affect hemorrhoids at a local level, it can soften stool and regulate bowel movements, Dr. Rajapaksa explains, therefore allowing hemorrhoids to shrink.
Do Hemorrhoids Go Away
Hemorrhoids are a chronic condition, meaning once they form they do not go away. Flare-ups, on the other hand, come and go. You can get relief from flare-up symptoms with PREPARATION H products. To reduce the risk of flare-ups and prevent new hemorrhoids, you can make lifestyle changes like exercising and reducing constipation with a balanced, high-fiber diet. These treatments may not provide a total cure for hemorrhoids, but they can help manage your symptoms and improve your quality of life.
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Preparation H Ointment For Hemorrhoids
Preparation H ointment is another popular treatment option for hemorrhoids. It may be a more popular brand because the company has done a great deal of marketing over the years. When patients think of hemorrhoid treatment, they tend to associate it with the Preparation H brand.
Like Anusol, Preparation H is a trusted company for products related to hemorrhoids because it has been around for many years.
The difference with Preparation H ointment is the approach it takes in treating hemorrhoids.
While Anusol has one active ingredient, Preparation H ointment uses four active ingredients to combat the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Preparation H ointment consists of:
- Petrolatum 71.9%
- Shark Liver Oil 3%
- Phenylephrine HCl 0.25%
Similar to the Zinc used in Anusol, Preparation H uses Petrolatum to reduce irritation and create a protective barrier on the skin. The combination of mineral and shark liver oil come together to reduce irritation.
Finally, Phenylephrine is the real medication in the ointment. It is part of a class of compounds that works to shrink blood vessels. Preparation H ointment works to treat hemorrhoids by shrinking hemorrhoids tissue and creating a protective barrier on your skin.
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Best Wipes: Preparation H Flushable Medicated Hemorrhoid Wipes
Formulated with witch hazelper Dr. Nazarian’s recommendationand aloe, these medicated wipes cool, soothe, and comfort regions where hemorrhoids occur, which is why they’ve received 4,200 five-star Amazon ratings. The pouches are convenient to use and travel-friendly, so you can easily pop them in your purse or carry-on. Bonus: They’re septic-safe for easy disposal.
“I had a really bad flare of hemorrhoid pain and bleeding after a series of drives down a dirt road, and the bouncing by ruts and severe dips,” . “After using these wipes, and the Preparation H extra strength cream, I found immediate relief. After about a week, not only was the inflammation gone, but also noticed a diminished size of the sore itself.”
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Are There Natural Treatments For Hemorrhoids
First, some very good news: Neither type of hemorrhoid is dangerous, and severe complications that require medical care are rare. Symptoms often can be relieved by trying a few natural and self-care treatments.
- Draw a sitz bath. To relieve itching and irritation, fill a tub with three to four inches of warm water and sit in it with your knees bent for about 10 to 15 minutes. Gently pat yourself dry with a towel, but dont rub the area.
- Take fiber supplements. These draw water into your stool and make it easier to pass, helping to reduce hemorrhoid bleeding and inflammation. A psyllium husk fiber supplement, like Metamucil or a generic version, is a good choice. If psyllium causes gas or bloating, try a supplement with wheat dextrin or methylcellulose .
- Ease discomfort. Apply over-the-counter products that shrink the inflamed tissue and relieve itching. Try pads infused with witch hazel , or soothing creams that contain lidocaine, hydrocortisone, or phenylephrine .
You can also take steps to prevent flare-ups.
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How Long Does It Take For A Preparation H Suppository To Work
For best results from the suppository, remain lying down for five minutes to avoid having the suppository come out. The suppository will melt quickly once inserted and you should feel little or no discomfort while holding it in. Avoid having a bowel movement for one to three hours after inserting the suppository.
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