What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor
You may want to ask your healthcare provider:
- Why did I get hemorrhoids?
- What is the best treatment for me?
- What lifestyle changes can I make to keep from getting hemorrhoids again?
- When will symptoms improve?
- Should I look out for signs of complications?
A note from Cleveland Clinic
An estimated 15 million Americans have sought treatments for hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. But many more suffer needlessly. Dont be too embarrassed to talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms. If hemorrhoids cause pain or discomfort, your provider has treatments that can help. You can also take steps to keep hemorrhoids from coming back.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/18/2021.
References
How To Stop Piles Bleeding Immediately
This article was published on February 11, 2013, and was last updated on May 1st, 2019 in Hemorrhoid Banding.
If you have bleeding piles, youre probably pretty freaked out, but there is good news. The condition is usually able to be simply treated without surgery or without missing work. Rectal bleeding can be caused by more serious conditions, however, so you should consider seeing your doctor for this problem, especially if you are at least 40 years old or have a family history of colon cancer.
Bleeding piles are mostly an annoyance, although they can be painful. Fortunately, if you have bleeding piles, there are a lot of things you can do for immediate relief. Below, we go through a number of the options for immediate relief from bleeding piles.
Peppermint Oil To Soothe Hemorrhoid Pain
Peppermint oil has a high menthol content that produces a cooling and refreshing sensation when applied to the hemorrhoids.
The European Journal of Dentistry reported that peppermint essential oil can have a cooling effect on hemorrhoids.11
You can use a blend of peppermint oil and coconut oil to help get rid of hemorrhoid pain fast.
Read Also: What Can I Do About External Hemorrhoids
What Is A Bleeding Hemorrhoid
Some people see blood in their stool, in the toilet, or after a bowel movement. The amount of blood is usually small, and it is bright red. The most common reason for rectal bleeding is hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are swollen, irritated veins in and around the anus. About 50% of Americans experience hemorrhoids by the age of 50:
Bleeding hemorrhoids are veins in and around the anus that swell and become irritated until they bleed. If you have bleeding hemorrhoids, you might experience symptoms like:
- Skin tissue bulging from the anus
- Leaking feces and difficulty cleaning after using the bathroom
Hemorrhoids are usually caused by:
- Obesity
- Prolonged sitting every day
Bleeding hemorrhoids may be painful, but they usually go away on their own. However, in some cases symptoms dont go away and can get worse. If this is the case, contact your doctor.
Severe pain and bleeding may be happening because of something more serious. Its important to have your doctor complete an evaluation to determine the underlying cause of your rectal bleeding.
Can I Use A Suppository For Hemorrhoids With Bleeding
While many people love hemorrhoid suppositories, you should be careful using a hemorrhoid suppository when bleeding.
Make sure that you have bleeding hemorrhoids before relying strictly upon a hemorrhoid suppository.
If you can confirm your problem isn’t more serious, then a suppository for bleeding is a good idea.
My favorite suppository for bleeding hemorrhoids is from Boiron.
Recommended Reading: How Can Hemorrhoids Go Away
Why Do I Get Hemorrhoids
Have you heard that hemorrhoids are caused by sitting on a cold, wet surface? Or that you got them because you ate too much spicy food? Or that its a condition only older populations have to worry about? False, false and false again, Schmaing says.
The truth is that the exact method of hemorrhoid formation is unknown, she explains.
All that said, the experts do have some pretty good hunches about what may be triggering your latest flare-up. The most likely causes are increased pressure in your abdomen and pelvis, as well as a natural weakening of the body tissue surrounding your veins, which allows them to bulge.
Thats why hemorrhoids often occur in pregnant women, people who lift heavy objects like weightlifters and those who repeatedly push or strain to do their business, often due to constipation or diarrhea.
It also explains why many people think that piles are only a concern as you age. While its most common between the ages of 45 and 65, unfortunately, the reality is that you can get hemorrhoids at any age.
Even though what you eat or dont eat doesnt directly cause hemorrhoids, your diet can also play a huge role. For example, if you dont consume enough water or fiber, youre more likely to become constipated. With all that increased straining, well, you see how this all flushes out.
When Hemorrhoid Surgery May Be Necessary
Very few people fewer than 10 percent of all adults who see a doctor because of symptomatic hemorrhoids will require a surgical operation.
Surgery to remove hemorrhoids is called a hemorrhoidectomy.
Your doctor may recommend a hemorrhoidectomy if:
- You have large external hemorrhoids
- You have both internal and external hemorrhoids
- An internal hemorrhoid has prolapsed
In a hemorrhoidectomy, the doctor makes a small incision to remove the hemorrhoid and surrounding tissue before closing the wound with stitches.
A hemorrhoidectomy is performed in an operating room and can be done under general anesthesia, in which you are unconscious and unable to feel pain.
It can also be done with a spinal anesthetic block while you are awake , or with a combination of relaxing and sedating drugs given intravenously and a local anesthetic injected around the anus.
Hemorrhoidectomy is associated with postoperative pain, but the procedure is successful for 95 percent of cases.
More recently, another option aimed at avoiding the postoperative pain of a hemorrhoidectomy has become available, called a stapled hemorrhoidopexy. A circular stapling device pulls the hemorrhoidal tissue upward and to its normal position, stapling it in place. The staples eventually fall out over time.
There are many options for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Its best to discuss the benefits and risks of each of these with your doctor in order to come up with the treatment plan that is best for your particular case.
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Possible Side Effects From Using Suppositories For Hemorrhoids
In the vast majority of cases using suppositories will not cause any alarming side effects. However, it is best to follow your doctors prescription or, stick to the advised dosage on the packaging which will tell you how many suppositories you should be using daily and the best times when they should be used, doing so will ensure you avoid any additional problems due to excessive use.
There are always exceptions and in rare cases, this type of medication can cause allergic reactions to users. Therefore, if you start having headaches, dizziness, excessive and abnormal sweating, shivers, rashes, abnormal heart rhythm, sleep and breathing problems, stop using the medication and consult your doctor right away.
Hemorrhoid Remedies You Can Try On Your Own At Home
There are several steps you can take at home to ease the discomfort caused by hemorrhoids:
- Take a sitz bath two to three times daily for 15 to 20 minutes. Sit in warm water, covering just your hips and buttocks. This can help reduce itching and irritation. You can take a sitz bath in a few inches of water in a regular tub, but small tubs that fit over toilet seats are also available for this purpose at pharmacies. Following a sitz bath, gently pat the area dry to avoid further irritation.
- Use ice packs on the area to relieve swelling and pain.
- Don’t push too hard or strain while passing a bowel movement.
- Clean your anus after each bowel movement by gently patting with moistened pads, such as baby wipes. Using hard, dry toilet paper, which may contain fragrance, can cause further irritation.
- Keep the area clean by bathing or showering daily with warm water. After bathing, gently pat the area dry. You can even use a hair dryer to dry the area.
- Sit on cushions rather than hard surfaces to help lessen the swelling of hemorrhoids and keep new ones from forming.
- Take over-the-counter pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin as needed.
RELATED: 6 Easy Ways to Prevent Hemorrhoids
Recommended Reading: How To Treat Hemorrhoids Without Surgery
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 94% of readers who voted found it helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 1,930,838 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.
Are Bleeding Hemorrhoids Dangerous
Hemorrhoids themselves are not considered dangerous, but rectal bleeding could warrant further examinations, performed by your doctor.
On occasion, rectal bleeding is misconstrued as a simple case of hemorrhoids, likely internal, but the assumption itself is dangerous because it could be an indication of another disease.
Colon cancer also produces rectal bleeding, and so consulting with your doctor if you experience this symptom is never a bad plan.
Read Also: What To Eat To Cure Hemorrhoids
Drink Plenty Of Water
Dehydration is a potential problem associated with constipation, since fluids or water is needed for fiber to travel smoothly through the digestive system. When you dont get enough water, bowel movements become hard and difficult to pass, and this will enlarge hemorrhoids and increase pelvic pressure.
A study published in the European Journal of Clinical Nutrition in 2003 indicated that fluid loss and fluid restriction can increase constipation, which worsens hemorrhoid symptoms. When considering how to make hemorrhoids go away fast, it is recommended to drink at least one glass of water during each meal or snack daily.
How Do I Use These Products
Directions: Application is simple. Apply directly to the condition with a Q-Tip or with your finger. Always thoroughly wash your hands before and after each application. Only a few drops per application are necessary.*
Full instructions are included with your product. These homeopathic formulas are applied topically and are not ingested. H-Bl Hemorrhoids Formula is for minor bleeding, if you have extensive or prolonged bleeding we recommend you consult your medical professional. The products are very gentle and can be used on children over the age 4.*
If you are pregnant or nursing, H-Hemorrhoids Formula is formulated to be used during and after pregnancy. If you have any bleeding, use H-Fissures Formula until all bleeding has stopped and then move on to the Formula for hemorrhoids. Please consult your physician before using these products.*
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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.
Surgical Treatment For Hemorrhoids
Today, many minimally invasive surgical options are available to treat hemorrhoids. Your physician will refer you to a surgeon if conservative treatments dont address your symptoms or if you arent a candidate for in-office procedures.
Common surgical procedures to treat hemorrhoids include:
- Hemorrhoidectomy. Large external hemorrhoids or prolapsed hemorrhoids may need to be removed by a surgeon.
- Hemorrhoid stapling. A special stapling tool can remove internal hemorrhoids and pull prolapsed hemorrhoids back into the anus.
If you struggle with recurrent hemorrhoids, talk to your doctor about ways you can treat and prevent them, says Dr. Hackworth.
Need a doctor? Find a Riverside gastroenterology provider near you.
Recommended Reading: Where To Get Hemorrhoids Removed
Hemorrhoid Medication: When Why And Which Ones To Use
A number of OTC creams, ointments, and pads that contain hydrocortisone or witch hazel are available to help relieve pain, swelling, and itching caused by hemorrhoids. According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, doctors recommend using over-the-counter products for a week. If symptoms persist beyond a week, follow up with your doctor.
Creams and suppositories containing hydrocortisone can cause the skin to weaken and thin, so they should not be used for more than a week. If any of these creams cause a rash or dry skin around the area, contact your healthcare provider.
A fiber supplement, such as Metamucil , or a stool softener, such as Citrucel , can help prevent constipation.
Avoid laxatives, which can lead to diarrhea and worsen hemorrhoid symptoms.
How To Heal Hemorrhoids: Over
Products used to treat hemorrhoids are available as
- ointments,
- foams, and
- pads.
When used around the anus, ointments, creams, and gels should be applied as a thin covering. When applied to the anal canal, these products should be inserted with a finger or a “pile pipe.” Pile pipes are most efficient when they have holes on the sides as well as at the end. Pile pipes should be lubricated with ointment prior to insertion. Suppositories or foams do not have advantages over ointments, creams, and gels.
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How To Get Rid Of Bleeding Hemorrhoids
By | Submitted On June 17, 2009
You definitely want to get rid of the bleeding hemorrhoids. Many people have a constant problem when it comes to this but the great thing is that you truly can get rid of it and you can do it immediately. In order to get rid of this quickly, you are going to have to get a hold of expert or some expert knowledge!
Now, let’s start with a bleeding hemorrhoid. This is usually caused by something known as an external hemorrhoid which can be caused by a blood clot outside of the anus area. It can usually appear as a regular hemorrhoid and can definitely flare up into something that’s itchy and very painful.
What are some of the causes of this? There are many but they usually either include the weakening of the person’s anal veins and tissues or simply the strain of it. Situations such as pregnancy, obesity, old age, standing up or sitting down for prolonged period and anything else that puts strain on the area can contribute to why some people, or in fact most people will get hemorrhoids in their life.
They can bleed, and once this happens, people tend to start getting rather worried. As long as you do things such as drinking sufficient liquids, handling constipation and avoiding lactic type foods and beverages, eating a great deal of fibers, and using some herbs, you should eventually stop the bleeding.
Classification Of Internal Hemorrhoids:
- Grade 1 – A hemorrhoid is present but only visualized by a doctor with ansocopy or colonoscopy. The hemorrhoid does not extend out the anus.
- Grade 2 – The hemorrhoid extends out of the anus with a bowel movement or with straining. After your BM, the hemorrhoid goes back inside on its own.
- Grade 3 – The hemorrhoid extends out of the anus with a bowel movement or with straining. You have to manually push the hemorrhoid back inside the anus. If you have this, you should seek medical attention, but it is not urgent.
- Grade 4 – A hemorrhoid extends outside the anus and are not able to be manually pushed back inside. If you have this seek medical attention immediately. There are significant potential complications.
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Aloe Vera For Hemorrhoid Pain Relief
Aloe vera is a well-studied natural remedy to alleviate many irritating skin problems. You can also use aloe vera as a natural remedy for hemorrhoids by applying it to your anal area. Aloe vera helps to relieve irritation and also helps pass stool with less pain.
Many scientific studies have shown that aloe vera can help to relieve anal pain and hemorrhoids. For example, a 2018 review of many studies into natural treatments for hemorrhoids revealed that aloe vera has great potential when used as a home remedy for hemorrhoids.5
The results of a double-blind clinical trial on a cream for hemorrhoids containing aloe vera also found that it is effective for anal fissure pain.6
You can also use a mixture of coconut oil and aloe vera to cure external hemorrhoids. Please read this article on how to combine aloe vera and coconut oil to make your own lotion.