How Do You Soothe Hemorrhoids

How Do You Get Hemorrhoids

Most of the time, hemorrhoids are linked to repeated episodes of constipation. Straining with bowel movements interferes with blood flow and causes pooling. The pressure to the anal canal causes the vessels to enlarge. This takes place in the already tight, smooth muscle of the anal canal.

Other causes of hemorrhoids include:

• Long periods spent seated

• Pain

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.

Good anal hygiene is also essential to avoid further injury and infection.

This can include a perianal irrigation bottle to squeeze warm water onto the anus after a bowel movement and disposable baby wipes to gently dab the area clean.

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.

Recommended Reading: Can Anal Sex Cause Hemorrhoids

Whats The Difference Between Internal And External Hemorrhoids

There are two types of hemorrhoids, internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum and external hemorrhoids develop under the skin around the anus. Learn more about internal and external hemorrhoids. * Harvard Health Publications. Hemorrhoids and what to do about them. Harvard Womens Health Watch, 2004.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of An External Or Thrombosed Hemorrhoid

Thrombosed external hemorrhoids are a painful condition. These occurs when a blood clot develops in a hemorrhoidal blood vessel causing swelling and inflammation.

• When a blood clot occurs in a hemorrhoid, the hemorrhoid will become even more swollen. This swelling leads to increased pain.
• The pain is usually worse with bowel movements and may increase with sitting.

A thrombosed external hemorrhoid may resolve on its own however, this condition often needs medical care. Bleeding with a bowel movement is never normal and should prompt a visit to a health-care professional. While hemorrhoids are the most common cause of bleeding with a bowel movement, there may be other reasons for bleeding including inflammatory bowel disease, infection, and tumors.

Hemorrhoids are not arteries or veins, but instead are normal blood vessels called sinusoids that are located in the walls that surround the rectum and anus. When the venous pressure within these blood vessels increases, the hemorrhoids swell and dilate, because it is more difficult for blood to empty from them. This leads to the most common symptoms of bleeding and swelling.

Common situations that increase pressure within the hemorrhoidal blood vessels and lead to abnormalities include the following.

• Straining to have a bowel movement. This may be due to constipation or diarrhea.
• Prolonged sitting, including on the toilet
• Lack of exercise

Read Also: Does Spicy Food Cause Hemorrhoids

Is Bathing Helpful Or Harmful

When bathing to treat hemorrhoids, people usually sit in clear water. Its also possible to add an anti-inflammatory substance to the water such as chamomile, witch hazel, arnica, oak bark or tea tree oil. There isn’t enough research on whether this helps. Some of the added substances may irritate or discolor the skin. Its best to avoid using soap because it can aggravate the sensitive skin of the anus.

When To Seek Medical Care For Hemorrhoids

When to call the doctor

• Bleeding from the rectum or anus is never normal and although hemorrhoids are the most common reason to have blood in the stool, it should be discussed with your primary health-care professional. Other causes of rectal bleeding exist and can be serious. Inflammatory bowel disease and cancers of the colon can present with rectal bleeding. Blood in the stool should never be ignored.
• Medical care should be sought urgently if a person is taking anticoagulation medications such as warfarin , dabigatran , rivaroxiban , apixaban , clopidogrel , prasugrel or enoxaparin .
• Individuals who have associated symptoms such as lightheadedness and weakness may have significant blood loss and may require more urgent care.
• Hemorrhoids do not cause abdominal pain should this pain be present with bleeding, medical care should be sought immediately.
• Prolapsed hemorrhoids that cannot be pushed back through the anus require medical care.
• Thrombosed external hemorrhoids may cause significant pain and medical care may be necessary to remove the clot.

Read Also: How Do You Shrink Internal Hemorrhoids

What Can You Do For Relief

If you have hemorrhoids, lifestyle changes may help them heal faster. One cause of hemorrhoids is straining during bowel movements. Adding more high-fiber foods to your diet, such as vegetables, fruits, and whole grains, can help soften your stool and make it easier to pass.

You should also drink plenty of water to help relieve constipation and reduce straining during bowel movements.

Here are some additional things that may help relieve symptoms:

• Minimize the time you sit on the toilet.
• When you feel the urge to move your bowels, go as soon as possible.
• Put your feet on a small stool during bowel movements to change the position of your rectum.
• If youre pregnant, sleep on your side. This will help relieve some of the pressure around your anus.
• Ask your doctor about taking a stool softener or a fiber supplement, such as psyllium or methylcellulose . A tablespoon of mineral oil added to food can also help soften stools.
• Keep the anal area clean. Take regular showers, and use moist wipes to clean the area around your anus after you pass a bowel movement.
• Use a sitz bath or sit in a warm tub for a few minutes to bathe the anal area.

You may also try using over-the-counter topical medications to ease discomfort, such as phenylephrine hemorrhoidal gel . These products are used if the hemorrhoids are bulging and inflamed.

How Can I Treat My Hemorrhoids

You can most often treat your hemorrhoids at home by

• taking a stool softener or a fiber supplement such as psyllium or methylcellulose
• drinking water or other nonalcoholic liquids each day as recommended by your health care professional
• not straining during bowel movements
• not sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
• taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin
• sitting in a tub of warm water, called a sitz bath, several times a day to help relieve pain

Applying over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or ointments or using suppositoriesa medicine you insert into your rectummay relieve mild pain, swelling, and itching of external hemorrhoids. Most often, doctors recommend using over-the-counter products for 1 week. You should follow up with your doctor if the products

• do not relieve your symptoms after 1 week
• cause side effects such dry skin around your anus or a rash

Most prolapsed internal hemorrhoids go away without at-home treatment. However, severely prolapsed or bleeding internal hemorrhoids may need medical treatment.

Don’t Miss: How To Use Sitz Bath For Hemorrhoids

What Are Two Types Of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are enlarged, swollen veins in the lowest part of the rectum and anus. These veins bulge and get irritated, especially when the patient defecates, and cause bleeding. Hemorrhoids are also commonly called piles. It is one of the most common causes of rectal bleeding. Hemorrhoids occur in adults. It can cause significant pain and discomfort if left untreated.

There are two types of hemorrhoids:

• Internal hemorrhoids: They are present deep inside the rectum. They are usually not seen externally or felt and are painless.
• External hemorrhoids: They are present under the skin surrounding the anus. They are painful because of the painful, sensitive nerves surrounding the anus.

Hemorrhoids may go away on their own or with home remedies in a couple of weeks. If the hemorrhoids dont improve or the symptoms worsen, it is advised to consult a doctor to seek medical treatment.

Who Removes Hemorrhoids Treatment

Treating enlarged hemorrhoids is important, because they tend to get worse over time. Hemorrhoids are treated with a variety of measures including diet, over-the-counter medicine like

• anti-inflammatory pain killers,

and various treatment options are available, like

• sclerotherapy,
• surgery.

Who Removes Hemorrhoids?

Most hemorrhoid complaints begin with a trip to a family doctor. Your doctor will then refer you to a specialist: either a gastroenterologist or a proctologist . Proctologists specialize in surgical treatments, while gastroenterologists are experts in digestive diseases.

Also Check: What Helps Hemorrhoids Stop Bleeding

Aching And Difficulty In Passing Stools

Hemroids are actually a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed. It could happen internally or externally. In external piles, there is a lot of pain but not much bleeding. In the case of internal piles, there is a discharge of dark blood. In some cases, the veins burst and this results in what is known as bleeding hemorrhoid. Due to hemroid, there is pain and difficulty in passing stools. In fact, the piles get aggravated each time the person defecates, due to pressure on the rectal area. Symptoms such as bleeding, itchiness, and pain in the colorectal area are the most common symptoms of hemorrhoids or piles. Sufferers worldwide are looking for a quick and proven remedy to cure piles naturally.

Dont Miss: What To Eat When You Have Hemorrhoids

What Causes External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids are when one or more tender bumps form beneath the skin surrounding your anus. These are dilated blood vessels that have become so enlarged that they protrude.

Blood may clot, or thrombose, inside the protruding blood vessel. This can form a hard lump and cause considerable pain in some cases.

External and internal hemorrhoids are caused by many of the same factors. These include:

• Straining while pooping. The most common cause of external hemorrhoids is repeated straining while having a bowel movement. This is often caused by severe cases of constipation or diarrhea. Straining makes blood pool in the area.
• Sitting on the toilet for a long time. This can also put pressure on the tissues around your rectum and anus.
• Weakened support tissues. As you age, the tissues tend to weaken around the anus and rectum.
• Pregnancy.Pregnant people may also be at an increased risk of hemorrhoids because of the increased pressure of the abdomen on these veins.
• Obesity. Having excess weight has been associated with having hemorrhoids.
• Heavy lifting. You may have a higher risk of hemorrhoids if you frequently lift heavy objects.
• Not eating enough fiber. A low fiber diet may lead to constipation, which can cause hemorrhoids.

A range of symptoms can affect a person with external hemorrhoids. Symptoms vary depending on the severity. Some of the symptoms that you may have include:

Symptoms of external hemorrhoids may go away after a few days, according to the

Also Check: What’s Good For Hemorrhoids Pain

Natural Treatment & Remedies:

Sometimes the pain of hemorrhoids becomes so irritating that it becomes difficult to stay in full consciousness. To find instant relief you need to undergo some natural remedies to ease yourself out in this awkward situation.

1. ICE CUBES:

You can use ice cubes. You can insert the ice cube in your anal to stop the swelling. This will give you a light relief from itching and burning also! It will help to shrink the hemorrhoids and will give you instant relief.

2. CLEAN THE HEMORRHOIDS AREA:

Clean up the anal area as much as possible. Every time you go to washroom, try to use warm water. And use mild soap to wash the area. Always use clean white clothes to dab the problematic area dry.

3. CHANGE YOUR UNDERGARMENTS:

If bleeding occurs frequently in the anal section you need to change the underwear or panties. The dirt can cause new dilemma in your hemorrhoids problem. You can use panty liners to avoid changing undergarments frequently. Obviously try to use the cotton panty liners which will help to soothe your irritation.

4. EFFECTIVE SITZ BATH:

This method is recommended by everyone. It is really an effective way to temporarily get rid of hemorrhoid pain. You can use your bath tub or you can buy one sitz bathtub which usually can be placed over the toilet sit.

5. APPLE CIDER VINEGAR:

7. TEA TREE & OLIVE OIL MIXTURE:

8. HONEY-LEMON- WATER SOLUTION:

Add one tsp of fresh lemon juice Add one tablespoon of honey

IS ITS TIME FOR MEDICATION?

How To Treat Swollen Hemorrhoids

If you are suffering from hemorrhoids right now, dont get too worry, as you are definitely not alone. Piles distress is a pretty common disorder and anyone would surely encounter it in his or her life. In this posting, I will show you how to treat swollen hemorrhoids at home.

This unpleasant and awkward condition is unquestionably not going to be enjoyable moment for you. It can be rather embarrass to bare your anus right in front of doctor for treatment as well. Fortunately, there are other alternative remedies that can help to heal your painful hemroids.

Read Also: Why Do You Get External Hemorrhoids

How Do You Make Hemorrhoids Go Away Fast

The fastest solution in forcing hemorrhoids to disappear is usually with the help of the above and fiber. While its best to find your fiber through meals, many doctors advise their patients with hemorrhoids to add a supplement to help contribute to their daily fiber intake.

Continuing with a fiber supplement and fibrous diet will also ensure that you do not experience another hemorrhoid flare-up.

You May Like: How Painful Can Hemorrhoids Be

How To Make Hemorrhoids Go Away Effectively

As you know that hemorrhoids will not go away naturally without getting a curing method properly. There are several ways to treat hemorrhoids.

You can prevent them from occurring and if they already occur, you can attempt at getting rid of them. The following are several hemorrhoids that are known to be effective.

Also Check: Can Hemorrhoids Be Removed In Office

Change In Bowel Habits

With a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid you may develop the sensation that you cant fully evacuate your bowels. You may also notice a mucous discharge or difficulty cleaning yourself following a bowel movement because of displaced toilet tissue.

These symptoms can be uncomfortable but easily treated with medical intervention.

Read Also: What Is Good For Bleeding Hemorrhoids

Are Suppositories An Option

Some drugs can also be used in the form of normal suppositories, or suppositories with gauze inserts . These are inserted into the anus, where they stay and release the drug unlike normal suppositories that release the drug further up the bowel. It’s not clear whether suppositories can relieve the symptoms of enlarged hemorrhoids.

Read Also: How To Use Witch Hazel For Hemorrhoids

Easy Ways To Add Fiber

The tips below offer some simple ways to add more high-fiber foods to your meals.

• Start your day with a high-fiber breakfast. Eat a wheat bran cereal along with a sliced banana. Or, try peanut butter on whole-wheat toast.

• Eat carrot sticks for snacks. Theyre easy to prepare, taste great, and are low in calories.

• Use whole-grain breads instead of white bread for sandwiches.

• Eat fruits for treats. Try an apple and some raisins instead of a candy bar.

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.

Recommended Reading: How To Treat Rectal Bleeding From Hemorrhoids