From Home Remedies To Advanced Surgical Techniques
Hemorrhoids can be the source of unrelenting aggravation for some and the cause of debilitating pain in others. The aim of treatment is threefold: to alleviate the immediate symptoms to prevent further exacerbation of the injury, and to resolve the underlying cause. This is often accomplished with high-fiber diets, stool softeners, and over-the-counter topical medications. In severe cases, however, surgical and non-surgical procedures may be used to remove the hemorrhoid.
Verywell / Cindy Chung
Home Remedies And Lifestyle
Generations have used home remedies to shrink hemorrhoids and prevent them from returning. Some treat the hemorrhoid directly, while others are aimed at alleviating the bowel irregularities that are often at the heart of the problem.
The following remedies can provide significant relief of acute hemorrhoid symptoms:
- Ice packs can relieve local inflammation and pain, but should never be placed directly on skin or left on for longer than 10 minutes.
- A sitz bath, in which a person sits in a tub of warm water for 10 to 20 minutes, can help reduce itching and irritation. Epsom salts or baking soda is often added to help alleviate inflammation.
- Witch hazel may decrease bleeding and prevent infection by acting as an astringent. You can dab it on gently with a cotton ball or even add a couple of tablespoons to a sitz bath.
- Aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, and coconut oil are natural remedies that can help soothe and shrink minor external hemorrhoids. Avoid creams or lotions that contain these products and opt instead for the pure refined oil.
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Youre Lifting Heavy Objects
You may think its harmless to pick up one end of the couch while youre moving, but it could cause you to bear down too hard. That increases pressure in the rectum, causing the veins to swell like a balloon, explains Darren Brenner, MD, gastroenterologist at Northwestern Memorial Hospital. Boom: hemorrhoids. Unfortunately, theres no surefire way to avoid this completely. Lifting correctlyyou know, with your knees, not your backcan help.
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Ice Pack To Shrink Hemorrhoids:
Another method that you can try is using an ice pack. Applying an ice pack to the area can help to reduce swelling and inflammation. It can also help to numb the area and provide some relief from pain.
To use an ice pack, simply wrap it in a thin towel and apply it to the area for about 15 minutes. You can do this several times a day, as needed. Just be sure not to leave the ice on for too long, as this could cause further irritation.
If you are still experiencing pain, swelling, or bleeding, you should see a doctor. They can provide you with more information and help you find the best treatment for your situation. But in most cases, using an ice pack is a simple and effective way.
How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids Fast
This article was medically reviewed by Sarah Gehrke, RN, MS. Sarah Gehrke is a Registered Nurse and Licensed Massage Therapist in Texas. Sarah has over 10 years of experience teaching and practicing phlebotomy and intravenous therapy using physical, psychological, and emotional support. She received her Massage Therapist License from the Amarillo Massage Therapy Institute in 2008 and a M.S. in Nursing from the University of Phoenix in 2013.There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. This article received 22 testimonials and 93% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,986,408 times.
Hemorrhoids, while very painful, usually aren’t serious and tend to go away on their own. This wikiHow will give you some tips for quickly getting rid of them in a safe, easy way.
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How Do Doctors Treat Hemorrhoids
Doctors treat hemorrhoids with procedures during an office visit or in an outpatient center or a hospital.
Office treatments include the following:
- Rubber band ligation. Rubber band ligation is a procedure that doctors use to treat bleeding or prolapsing internal hemorrhoids. A doctor places a special rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid. The band cuts off the blood supply. The banded part of the hemorrhoid shrivels and falls off, most often within a week. Scar tissue forms in the remaining part of the hemorrhoid, often shrinking the hemorrhoid. Only a doctor should perform this procedureyou should never try this treatment yourself.
- Sclerotherapy. A doctor injects a solution into an internal hemorrhoid, which causes scar tissue to form. The scar tissue cuts off the blood supply, often shrinking the hemorrhoid.
- Infrared photocoagulation. A doctor uses a tool that directs infrared light at an internal hemorrhoid. Heat created by the infrared light causes scar tissue to form, which cuts off the blood supply, often shrinking the hemorrhoid.
- Electrocoagulation. A doctor uses a tool that sends an electric current into an internal hemorrhoid. The electric current causes scar tissue to form, which cuts off the blood supply, often shrinking the hemorrhoid.
Outpatient center or hospital treatments include the following:
Sometimes complications of hemorrhoids also require treatment.
Lemon Juice For Kidney Stones
The most common type of kidney stone occurs when oxalatea compound found in foods such as spinach, bran, and french friesbuilds up in urine and sticks to calcium, forming crystals. Drinking at least four ounces of lemon juice per day could help, researchers say, as citric acid can prevent the crystallization of calcium and oxalate that creates these stones.
Heres why you should eat a rainbow of fruits and veggies every day.
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Avoid Straining And Go When You Need To
Straining during a bowel movement is never a good thing, and it can be painful and even worsen hemorrhoids. When you need to go number two, dont delay it. Waiting can back up your stool, make it harder, and lead to increased pressure on the weakened veins.
It is always best to go to the bathroom in a relaxed state. In general, it is recommended to set a time for daily bowel movements to help establish a regular routine. For instance, going first thing in the morning or after breakfast are good times to start a regular bowel habit.
What Role Do Toilet Habits Play
Straining during a bowel movement can be painful and make hemorrhoid problems worse. But you can avoid straining by
- preventing constipation, because hard stools automatically make you push harder
- paying attention to your bodys signals, such as the urge to go to the toilet waiting too long before you go can lead to constipation
- being relaxed and taking your time when you go to the toilet.
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Modify Your Daily Activities
- Avoid prolonged sitting or standing. Take frequent short walks.
- If possible, avoid lifting heavy objects frequently. If you must lift heavy objects, always exhale as you lift the object. Donât hold your breath when you lift.
- If you are pregnant, sleeping on your side will lower pressure on the blood vessels in your pelvis. This can help keep hemorrhoids from becoming bigger.
Consider Having A Clot Removed
External hemorrhoids can result in extremely painful blood clots, and while theyre not dangerous, they can take a couple of weeks to resolve on their own. If yours scores high on your personal pain scale, a doctor can remove a thrombosed hemorrhoid with a relatively simple in-office procedure under local anesthetic in about 10 minutes. Keep in mind: The first 24 to 48 hours are typically the most painfuland the best time to have a clot removed, says Dr. Ky.
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Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids
Apply witch hazel extract. It is usually available in liquid form and can be directly applied to the skin. It helps reduce inflammation and relieve skin irritation and itching.
Use pure aloe vera gel. It has glycoproteins and polysaccharides that help reduce pain and inflammation. Put the aloe vera gel directly and gently onto the hemorrhoids and wait for its soothing effect.
Apply ointments. If you are allergic to aloe vera, you may use other topical ointments. Just ask your local pharmacist for the best hemorrhoids cream available.
Take OTC suppositories. These are a combination of oil or cream and medicine that is inserted directly into the rectum.
Use a sitz bath. This is a plastic tub that can fit over a toilet seat. Fill it with warm water, add Epsom salt, and sit for 15-20 minutes after a bowel movement. This will help relieve the pain in the area.
Put cold compress. Apply an ice pack or cold compress for at least 15 minutes to help relieve the swelling. Make sure to wrap the ice in cloth before applying it on the skin.
Eat more fibres. Foods that are high in fibre soften the stool, making it easier for the person to pass stool. Fruits like bananas, apples, strawberries, and pears are rich in fibre. Drinking water and other fruit juices may also help soften the stool.
If symptoms continue to persist and the condition looks serious, visit a doctor immediately to get a more advanced hemorrhoids treatment.
When Should I See My Doctor
Hemorrhoids are typically easy to treat and clear up on their own. In very rare cases, a hemorrhoid can cause complications.
Chronic blood loss from a hemorrhoid can cause anemia, a shortage of red blood cells. Internal hemorrhoids can also have their blood supply cut off, resulting in strangulated hemorrhoids that can cause extreme pain.
See a doctor if home treatments havent been effective after more than 2 weeks. Your primary care physician can diagnose and treat hemorrhoids. They can write prescriptions for medicated creams, ointments, and suppositories.
If these treatments dont work, a doctor may recommend treatments like rubber band ligation or surgery to remove the hemorrhoids.
Make an appointment to see a doctor right away if you notice rectal bleeding for the first time or if your rectal bleeding increases.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Why do I have hemorrhoids?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I can do that can relieve or prevent hemorrhoids?
- I saw blood on toilet paper. Is this serious?
- Are having hemorrhoids a sign of another health condition?
- Will I always have hemorrhoids?
- Is there medicine I can take for hemorrhoids? Are there side effects?
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Steroids Can Be Used As A Treatment To Shrink Hemorrhoids
Steroids work by a complex interaction with the behaviour of cells in the body that changes the way the way the natural immune response works. As a broad simplification, it tells the cells that in fact, theres nothing going on that they need to worry about it will stop local inflammation and reduce swelling, all of which are good news for the size of your steroids.
The bad news is that they also change cell behaviour in other ways too, and over time, some of these changes may prove unhelpful to hemorrhoids. They can weaken muscle tone, for example, and thin the skin making it more prone to tearing and bleeding.
Be very cautious about using any over the counter medicine that contains steroids without checking with a doctor or pharmacist first, and perhaps seek other treatments first.
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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.
Do Hemorrhoids Go Away On Their Own
Small external and internal hemorrhoids usually disappear on their own within ten days.
In many cases, the patients dont even realize that they have had a hemorrhoids problem.
If the pile is not serious just doing some natural home remedies can reduce its symptoms quickly. Home remedies help in reducing the pain, itching, and irritation caused by the illness.
A severe hemorrhoidal inflammation will not go away on its own if the following symptoms exist:
- Continuous rectal bleeding
- Severe pain, itching, and unbearable irritation
- Despite the use of home remedies, hemorrhoids persist and increase as the days pass by
- Stools you pass look maroon or tarry in color.
If such symptoms exist you need to consult your physician and follow the recommended treatments.
The Mayo Clinic recommends the following recommendations to make hemorrhoid heal by itself:
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The Three Worst Things You Can Do
Why Do Hemorrhoids Occur
Sometimes hemorrhoids develop for no reason, but often they are associated with chronic constipation or diarrhea, straining during bowel movements, and prolonged sitting on the toilet. You can reduce your risk by following these three easy steps:
- Get enough fiber in your diet
- Stay well hydrated
- Exercise regularly .
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You Can Help Shorten How Long Hemorrhoids Last Discuss Treatment Options With Your Doctor Today
Though rarely a serious condition, unresolved hemorrhoids and the pain associated with them can have a severe impact on your overall health and well-being.
If you are concerned you might have hemorrhoids, or if the pain associated with hemorrhoids is affecting your daily life, contact your doctor for information about treatment options.
What The Experts Say
Most people come to doctors after seeing blood in the toilet. Dont try to treat it. If you have this bleeding going on you should see your doctor to make sure its not something more serious. When I hear about a patient with rectal bleeding, I wonder about what it could be. Especially as were seeing younger and younger people diagnosed with colon and rectal cancer.Henry Govekar M.D., a Colon and Rectal Surgeon at Rush University Medical Group
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Gradually Increase Your Fiber Intake
Most of us dont get in enough fiber everyday, but adding more high-fiber foods like beans, broccoli, whole grains, and fresh fruit to your diet can help you avoid constipation and stay regular. This in turn reduces the chances that youll find yourself straining and further irritating your hemorrhoids, says Dr. Thomas. Aim for 20 to 30 grams of fiber a day, and consider taking a fiber supplement that contains psyllium or methylcellulose to help you hit your daily goal. If youre typically low on fiber-rich foods, though, take your timesuddenly upping your intake may make you gassy.
Things That Increase Your Risk
- Constipation or diarrhea that does not go away. These conditions may lead to straining with bowel movements.
- Being overweight
- A family history of hemorrhoids. You may inherit the tendency to get them.
- Being age 50 or older. Half of people who are older than 50 seek treatment for hemorrhoids.
- Pregnancy and labour and delivery. As the fetus grows during the last 6 months of pregnancy, blood volume and pressure on pelvic blood vessels increase. The strain of labour also can cause hemorrhoids to start or get worse.
- Liver disease, heart disease, or both. These conditions may cause blood to back up in the pelvis and abdomen.
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What Is Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy
Stapling hemorrhoids prevent blood flow to the haemorrhoidal tissue and are usually used for prolapsed hemorrhoids.
Treatment is given using general anesthesia or local or spinal anesthesia. If you choose local or spinal anesthesia, you may feel some pressure during surgery, but you shouldnt feel any pain. During surgery, special tools are used to staple the base of hemorrhoid to the wall of the rectum using circular titanium staples. During healing, fibrous tissue develops around the staples, which help to anchor hemorrhoids in place. This prevents blood flow to hemorrhoids and decreases swelling. Eventually, the staples are passed out with bowel movements.
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What Is A Hemorrhoid
A hemorrhoid is essentially an engorged or swollen blood vessel, says Sameet Shah, D.O., a gastroenterologist at Mountainside Medical Group.
Hemorrhoids can be inside or outside your body. With external hemorrhoids, you can see them and they tend to hurt. With internal hemorrhoids, you dont see or feel them, but a symptom might be bleeding during a bowel movement.
The most common cause of hemorrhoids is due to constipation or straining while using the toilet. Women are prone to hemorrhoids during pregnancy and after giving birth because of the increased pressure on the pelvic floor and hormonal changes that can lead to constipation. Children and adolescents can also get hemorrhoids.
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