Hemorrhoids By The Numbers
- Around 20 million people in the United States suffer from hemorrhoids .
- In 2004, the National Institutes of Health noted that the diagnosis of hemorrhoids was associated with 3.2 million ambulatory care visits, 306,000 hospitalizations and 2 million prescriptions in the United States.
- The peak incidence of hemorrhoids is between the ages of 4565. Development of hemorrhoids before the age of 20 is unusual.
- The risk of developing hemorrhoids is higher in white adults than in black adults, higher in women than in men and higher for women who are pregnant.
Cold And Hot Compresses
For those with more severe hemorrhoid symptoms, applying a cold and hot compress to the anal area at alternating intervals may provide some much-needed pain relief. An ice pack can help reduce local inflammation and irritation but should never be left directly on the skin for more than 10 minutes. After icing the affected area for 10 minutes, apply a warm compress for an additional 10 minutes.
Potential Risks Of Apple Cider Vinegar
Whether you are drinking it or applying it topically, apple cider vinegar can present some risks. Before you start using it for any reason, its a good idea to check with your doctor.Some potential drawbacks of ACV include the following.
- Could lower blood sugar levels too much: Some studies have suggested that ACV can lower blood sugar levels too much in people with either type of diabetes. For that reason, its a good idea to speak with your doctor before you start taking ACV tonics.
- Can irritate the stomach: ACV helps you feel full longer, but that can create an issue for some people. Additionally, since the vinegar is very acidic, drinking it undiluted can irritate the esophagus, causing similar symptoms to heartburn.
- May burn the skin: Though some people claim applying ACV directly to the skin helps soothe irritation and itching, others report that the acidic vinegar makes irritation worse or that its caused chemical burns. If youre not sure how your skin will react, you might want to apply ACV to a small test area before using it to get hemorrhoid relief.
Recommended Reading: What Foods Cause Hemorrhoids To Bleed
Soak In A Warm Sitz Bath
Sitting in a warm bath that covers your hips and buttocks can help when you have hemorrhoids. This kind of bath is known as a hip or sitz bath . Soak in some warm water 2 to 3 times in a day. You can use special tubs meant for this which fit over your toilet seat. Also, a 20-minute sitz bath is recommended right after you have a bowel movement. Remember not to wipe hard afterward. Instead, gently pat the area dry to avoid irritating your hemorrhoids.3
If You’re Pregnant Lie On Your Left Side
Pregnant women are particularly prone to hemorrhoids, in part because the uterus sits directly on the blood vessels that drain the hemorrhoidal veins, says Lewis R. Townsend, MD. A special hemorrhoid remedy if you are pregnant is to lie on your left side for about 20 minutes every 4 to 6 hours, he says. This helps decrease pressure on the main vein, draining the lower half of the body.
You May Like: How To Relieve Swollen Hemorrhoids
Every Time You Go To The Bathroom
Apply Aloe Vera To Fight Hemorrhoids
Home remedies made with aloe vera or aloe vera are simple and their benefits are many. The aloe vera has properties that relieve the burning, itching and inflammation .
- You should take some gel and apply it to the affected area at least three times a day. It is also advisable to apply it after the evacuation process.
Recommended Reading: What Are Some Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids
Avoid Putting Unnecessary Pressure On The Anal Area
If you have hemorrhoids, its a good idea to avoid putting pressure on the affected area. For instance, you can try sitting on a cushion or an inflatable ring if you need to be seated for a while.8 Its also best to avoid the strain caused by lifting heavy objects. And be careful not to hold your breath when you lift things.9
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.
Read Also: How To Soothe Hemorrhoids After Birth
Final Thoughts On How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhoids are a very common anorectal condition that affects millions of people around the world.
- Enlarged hemorrhoids are often associated with symptoms such as itching, mucus discharge or bleeding. Bleeding happens when hard stool damages the thin walls of the blood vessels in hemorrhoids.
- Avoidance of constipation is key when trying to get rid of hemorrhoids. Its important that you dont strain while using the bathroom, dont sit for an excessive period of time and clean yourself thoroughly when finished.
- Foods and herbal supplements that help relieve constipation can alleviate the symptoms of hemorrhoids. A high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of fluids are the most helpful dietary changes that you can make when it comes to how to get rid of hemorrhoids.
- If non-medical treatments dont work, there are relatively painless procedures that can be done to treat hemorrhoids. For extreme cases, an outpatient surgery called a hemorrhoidectomy may be required.
Medical Procedures For Hemorrhoids
If your symptoms are severe or aren’t getting better after a couple of weeks, your doctor may suggest a procedure to shrink or remove the hemorrhoids. Many can be performed in their office.
Injection. Your doctor can inject an internal hemorrhoid with a solution to create a scar and close off the hemorrhoid. The shot hurts only a little.
Rubber band ligation. This procedure is often done on prolapsed hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids that can be seen or felt outside. Using a special tool, the doctor puts a tiny rubber band around the hemorrhoid, which shuts off its blood supply almost instantly. Within a week, the hemorrhoid will dry up, shrink, and fall off.
Coagulation or cauterization. With an electric probe, a laser beam, or an infrared light, your doctor will make a tiny burn to remove tissue and painlessly seal the end of the hemorrhoid, causing it to close off and shrink. This works best for prolapsed hemorrhoids.
Surgery. For large internal hemorrhoids or extremely uncomfortable external hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend surgery.
- Hemorrhoidectomy. The most effective technique is to completely remove the hemorrhoids. But recovery is painful and can take several weeks.
- Hemorrhoid stapling. This technique cuts blood flow to internal hemorrhoids and moves prolapsed tissue back in place. Recovery is easier, but thereâs a greater chance of the hemorrhoids coming back.
Recommended Reading: What Can I Buy For Hemorrhoids
Best Foods To Fight Hemorrhoids
Read More: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: not what, but how we eat
A high fiber diet is one of the best ways to prevent and treat hemorrhoids.
In a recent issue of the magazine Minerva Gastroenterologica e DietologicaResearch has shown that fiber works so well that it can treat even advanced hemorrhoids, which usually require surgery.
But what are the highest fiber foods you can include in your diet to prevent or help you heal hemorrhoids?
Here are six types of superfibrous foods that will make your hemorrhoids run to shelters today:
Eat from this list from top to bottom, with the top options being higher in fiber than the bottom ones.
It’s important to remember that meat, dairy products, refined grains, and sugar are virtually fiber-free. This is why few people eat enough fiber these days. If these foods currently make up your entire diet, start a high-fiber diet gradually to prevent bloating, gas, and abdominal pain.
Don’t worry about soluble and insoluble fiber. Almost all fiber sources contain both, so the distinction is far less important than most websites claim.
Different healthcare organizations provide slightly different daily requirements, but on average they are about 40 and 30 grams for adult men and women, respectively. One cup of beans and one cup of whole grain cereals a day, which you can easily eat in the morning and evening, can give you 30 grams a day.
Wipe With Balneol Lotion
After having a BM, it’s especially important to keep the anal area clean when you have hemorrhoids, says Dr. Wolf.
Wiping with dry toilet paper can hurt, which is why many patients tell Dr. Wolf that they like Balneol lotion, which is a soothing, cleansing, mineral oil-based lotion that can be squeezed directly onto toilet paper before wiping, helping to ease hemorrhoid pain.
Balneol Hygienic Cleansing Lotion
Don’t Miss: How Can You Get Rid Of External Hemorrhoids
Treat Yourself With An Otc Hemorrhoid Cream
There are many hemorrhoid creams and suppositories on the market, and while they generally will not make your problem disappear, most are designed as local painkillers and can relieve some of the discomfort, says Gathright. Limit their use to 1 week they can cause the skin to get too thin. Choose a hemorrhoid cream like Preparation H over a suppository, says Leff. Suppositories are absolutely useless for external hemorrhoids. Even for internal hemorrhoids, they tend to float too far up the rectum to do much good, he says.
What Causes Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are often caused by straining during a bowel movement, i.e., pushing too hard. Straining puts increased pressure on the tissue surrounding the anus, and may cause a vein to become inflamed and incredibly swollen. Hemorrhoids can also be the result of constipation, diarrhea, or simply sitting on the toilet too long, as all of the aforementioned situations can increase pressure on the veins in the anal canal, and around the anus.
Recommended Reading: How To Get Relief From Hemorrhoids
Don’t Make Things Worse
Bump up the fiber. It softens your stools and makes them move through your body more easily. You’ll find it in beans, whole-grain breads and cereals, and fresh fruits and veggies. You may also want to try a supplement if you can’t get enough from foods. Add fiber slowly to help avoid gas and bloating.
Drink lots of fluids. Stay well hydrated to keep stools soft so they’re easier to pass. Water is the best choice. Drink plenty throughout the day. Prune juice is a natural laxative and can help you go.
Exercise regularly. Even brisk walking 20-30 minutes every day can help keep you from getting stopped up.
Breathe! Keep the air moving in and out when you’re working hard. It’s common to hold your breath as you’re pushing, pulling, or making an effort — and that can lead to hemorrhoid pain and bleeding.
Use a pillow. Sit on a cushion instead of a hard surface. It will ease swelling for any hemorrhoids you have. It may also help prevent new ones from forming.
Take breaks. If you must sit for a long time, get up every hour and move around for at least 5 minutes.
Eat More Whole Grains
If you get hemorrhoids more frequently than you think you should, try eating more whole grains. Whole grains contain healthy fiber, which help relive hemorrhoid symptoms as well as helping to prevent hemorrhoids in the future. The nutrients in whole grains can help clear out the digestive system, preventing constipation. A diet high in fiber can increase in bulk, which will reduce the need to strain when pooping. The best whole grains are barley, oats, brown rise, buckwheat, millet, and quinoa.
Continue to Page 3
Read Also: How Do You Fix Hemorrhoids
Add Fiber To Your Diet
The American Gastroenterological Association suggests that drinking water and eating enough fiber are the two biggest ways to treat hemorrhoid flare-ups. Fiber has a consistent beneficial effect, says Janelle Gurguis-Blake, MD. Increased fiber in your diet can cause stools to soften and makes them easier to pass, reducing the pressure on your hemorrhoids. Boost fiber either by eating high-fiber foods or by taking a fiber supplement , or both. Just make sure that you also drink plenty of fluids. High-fiber foods include broccoli, beans, wheat and oat bran, whole grains, and fruit.
How To Deal With Hemorrhoids
By | Submitted On September 03, 2010
If you are suffering from these painful hemorrhoids and you are desperately looking for some remedies to help you ease the pain and discomfort of this condition, here are simple ways on how to deal with hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that are most commonly caused by straining, thus one good way to help you on how to deal with hemorrhoids is to avoid straining too much during bowel movement. To help you do this, here are a few things that can help you.
1. Switch to a fiber-rich diet. With high fiber in your diet, it allows you to empty your bowels easily without straining and will help you relieve your hemorrhoids as well. If you are constantly bugged by the problem on constipation, having high fiber diet can also help. In general, you have to maintain a high fiber diet to help your digestive system work properly and easier for you to get rid of hemorrhoids as well.
2. Drink plenty of water every day. Like fiber, drinking water can help make your digestion smooth flowing and eases up the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids during bowel movement.
3. Avoid sitting for too long. If your job requires a lot of sitting or you live a sedentary lifestyle, take time to stand, stretch once in a while or take time to walk. Walking, and other forms of exercises can also help in helping your digestive system work perfectly and allow less pressure on the swollen hemorrhoids when you move your bowels.
Read Also: How To Treat Large External Hemorrhoids
Why Are Internal Prolapsed Hemorrhoids At A Greater Risk Of Becoming Thrombosed
Whether internal or external, if your hemorrhoid is prolapsed it is at a greater risk of becoming thrombosed. When outside the anus the hemorrhoids blood supply can be cut off or limited by the anal sphincter limiting blood flow.
Since thrombosis occurs as a result of a lack of blood flow, these types of hemorrhoids are particularly susceptible to this painful condition.
Getting Rid Of Hemorrhoids
Also Check: How Can I Ease The Pain Of Hemorrhoids
What Are Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins near the anus. Common symptoms are rectal pain, itching, bleeding, and occasional protruding veins outside the anus.
There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. You can have either type by itself, or both at the same time.
Internal hemorrhoids. These form inside the anal canal and usually are painless. However, they may cause intermittent bleeding with bowel movements, and sometimes discharge mucus. Internal hemorrhoids also can protrude outside the anus and look like small, grapelike masses.
External hemorrhoids. These form just outside the anal opening and can cause swelling, protrusions, and discomfort.