Friday, March 22, 2024

How To Manage External Hemorrhoids

Treating And Preventing Hemorrhoids

How to Manage Hemorrhoids or Piles

Dr. Hsu says the best first step is to visit a drugstore to get some creams or suppositories that soothe inflamed rectal veins and speed healing. Look for treatments containing cortisone or lidocaine, which are especially helpful.

Stool softeners also help reduce straining and constipation, but be sure to avoid laxatives. Laxatives can cause diarrhea and further irritate swollen veins, which you definitely dont want, Dr. Hsu says. If your hemorrhoids are especially itchy or you feel a burning sensation, use baby wipes instead of toilet paper and apply witch hazel to the area with a cotton swab.

For more aggressive hemorrhoids, use a sitz bath to relieve itching, irritation and pain. Fill a bathtub with a few inches of warm water and sit in the tub, with knees bent, for 15 to 20 minutes. If getting in a bathtub isnt an option, purchase a plastic sitz bath kit, available at any drugstore, that fits over the toilet. For optimal relief, use a sitz bath several times per day.

Can Hemorrhoids Turn Into Skin Tags

Since hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels, when they shrink, they may leave behind skin thats stretched out which eventually turns into a skin tag. Find out the difference between skin tags and hemorrhoids here.

Skin tags are painless, soft, benign growths on the skin that are commonly found in skin folds. They are very common and the estimate is that about half of all adults have one or more of them. Other types of skin tags develop as a result of skin rubbing against the other in areas in the body with folds like the armpits, eyelids, underneath the breasts, or the neck.

Clearing Up Confusion About Hemorrhoidal Disease

Hemorrhoidal disease is a topic many people will have to address at some point in their lives. Conservative management may be the most powerful tool to treat symptomatic internal hemorrhoids. Management includes keeping stools soft through fiber rich foods, a fiber supplement, avoiding straining while defecating, not sitting on the commode more than five minutes at a time, increasing physical activity, and drinking 64 oz of water per day or more .

After three months of conservative measures, if the patient is continuing to experience hemorrhoidal disease symptoms, it could be time to consider rubber band ligation or a hemorrhoidectomy.

If you have questions about hemorrhoidal disease or would like to speak with a colorectal specialist, please call or request and appointment online.

Also Check: What To Avoid With Hemorrhoids

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

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

Procedures For Hemorrhoids Treatment

Hemorrhoids : Causes, Picture, Symptoms and Treatments

Some hemorrhoids cant be managed with conservative treatments alone, either because symptoms persist or because an internal hemorrhoid has prolapsed. Fortunately, a number of minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatments are available that are less painful than traditional hemorrhoid removal and allow a quicker recovery. These procedures are generally performed in a surgeons office or as outpatient surgery in a hospital.

Band it. The most commonly used hemorrhoid treatment in the United States is rubber band ligation, in which a small elastic band is placed around the base of a hemorrhoid . The band causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and the surrounding tissue to scar as it heals, holding the hemorrhoid in place. It takes two to four procedures, done six to eight weeks apart, to completely eliminate the hemorrhoid. Complications, which are rare, include mild pain or tightness , bleeding, and infection. Other office procedures include laser or infrared coagulation, sclerotherapy, and cryosurgery. They all work on the same principle as rubber band ligation but are not quite as effective in preventing recurrence. Side effects and recurrence vary with the procedure, so consult your physician about whats best for your situation.

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What Should You Eat After Hemorrhoid Surgery

Your healthcare provider may suggest that you start with clear liquids on the first day after surgery, including broth, juice, clear soda, and popsicles. In the following days, eat foods that add fiber to your diet, including whole grains, fresh fruits, and fresh vegetables. Avoid foods that cause constipation, such as dairy, red meats, and processed foods.

How Can I Prevent Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are common as you get older. These steps can help prevent hard stools and constipation that can lead to hemorrhoids:

  • Dont sit too long or push too hard on the toilet.
  • Go the toilet when the urge hits dont delay bowel movements.
  • Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
  • Eat more high-fiber foods or take supplements. Generally, women should aim for 25 grams of fiber per day, while men should get 35 grams of fiber.
  • Stay physically active. Being on the move keeps bowels moving.
  • Take laxatives or use enemas only as recommended by your healthcare provider. Too many laxatives or enemas can make it hard for your body to regulate how you poop.

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Managing The Pain From Hemorrhoids

As many of you know, hemorrhoids can be very painful. In most cases, common over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can be taken to relieve the pain associated with hemorrhoids. Ibuprofen also has a benefit of being an anti-inflammatory drug, which can help reduce swelling. As always, one should use caution with both of these drugs, as taking too much can have damaging effects on your health. If your pain is too severe to be managed by recommended doses of these pain killers, talk to your doctor.

Thrombosed External Hemorrhoids: What Are We Talking About And How To Intervene

Hemorrhoids | Piles | How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids | Hemorrhoids Treatment

The increased pressure on the pelvis can cause slowing of circulation in the haemorrhoidal blood vessels and cause thrombus formation. What are the causes of hemorrhoidal thrombosis? Risk factors include:

  • Physical overload / intensive workouts
  • Previous episodes of hemorrhoidal thrombosis.

There are at least three possible therapeutic approaches to manage hemorrhoidal thrombosis. From the least invasive to the most invasive, these approaches are:

CONSERVATIVE TREATMENT

It is the first treatment option and involves remedies and behavioral measures, such as:

  • Take lukewarm water baths several times a day to relieve itching and burning.
  • Indulge the urge to evacuate, so as not to cause fecal stagnation and painful evacuation.
  • Avoid sitting for a long time so as not to slow down the circulation in the haemorrhoidal vessels.
  • Follow a diet rich in fiber, to facilitate the expulsion of soft stools.

HEMORROIDARY THROMBECTOMY

It is put into practice when conservative treatment has proved ineffective. This is a minimally invasive surgery, which involves a small incision at the thrombus level and allows you to remove a blood clot inside a hemorrhoidal vessel.

HEMORROIDECTOMY

It is the therapeutic approach to be practiced when conservative treatment and hemorrhoidal thrombectomy have proved ineffective. This is a surgery that involves the removal of hemorrhoids.

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If Your Symptoms Continue Worsening

While many home remedies may provide temporary relief of inflammation, pain, or discomfort caused by hemorrhoids, they dont necessarily cure the issue. Thats why its important to seek medical care for hemorrhoids, especially if your symptoms get worse. On top of treating your hemorrhoids, your doctor can help you reduce the chances of another hemorrhoid flare-up by discussing things like your diet, staying hydrated, and changing your bathroom habits.

Surgery For External Hemorrhoids

When surgery is warranted, most external hemorrhoids are surgically cut out or excised. This is called a hemorrhoid excision.

Alternatively, an incisional hemorrhoidectomy may be performed for a thrombosed external hemorrhoid. With this type of surgery, a cut is made over the skin of the hemorrhoid. Just the clot is removed.

An incisional hemorrhoidectomy is less likely to be successful if a patient has been experiencing pain for more than 48 hours. In addition, if the incision is too small, blood can reaccumulate and form another clot inside the hemorrhoid.

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Medical Procedures For Hemorrhoids That Wont Go Away

If hemorrhoids dont go away with home treatments, medical procedures may be necessary.

Doctors office procedures for internal hemorrhoids those located inside the rectum may include:

Rubber Band Ligation This is the most commonly performed hemorrhoid procedure in the United States. In this procedure, which can be used for grades 1, 2, and 3 internal hemorrhoids , the doctor places a small rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid, which can be done when your doctor performs an anoscopy examination to better visualize the hemorrhoids. The rubber band cuts off the hemorrhoids blood supply.

The procedure typically causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and fall off within about a week, though several short visits to your doctor may be necessary to completely get rid of the hemorrhoid. Minor bleeding and a feeling of pressure may occur, but this can usually be alleviated with OTC pain relievers. This procedure is not associated with significant recovery time.

Sclerotherapy In this quick, often painless procedure, the doctor injects a chemical into the hemorrhoidal blood vessel, causing scar tissue to form in order to shrink the hemorrhoid. The principle behind this is the same as rubber band ligation, though its not always as effective. This procedure can be used in patients taking blood thinners, for whom rubber band ligation may not be recommended.

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How To Choose A Cure

A Holistic approach to manage and treat Hemorrhoids

So, how to get rid of hemorrhoids? Some natural cures for hemorrhoids can help as well. Witch hazel, aloe vera, witch hazel gel, and other home remedies can treat and even prevent them from getting worse, even though they wont remove them. They can be used to relieve itching and burning, and you can also use them as a lubricant on the affected area.

How to treat hemorrhoids? There are times when you need to see a doctor if your hemorrhoid gets out of control and causes too much bleeding and pain. Hemorrhoidectomy is one of those times, so your doctor will do some procedures. This operation will either remove hemorrhoid or remove its blood supply.

Hemorrhoidectomy has many benefits, including less swelling and more mobility in the area that was removed. Some people choose to have hemorrhoidectomy to eliminate hemorrhoids without having to deal with the discomfort and pain that come with it. There is no single best hemorrhoidstreatment. Its up to you to find one that works best for you.

Also Check: How Do You Stop Hemorrhoids

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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.

Why Is A Hemorrhoidectomy Performed

If your hemorrhoids are severe, they can cause itching, bleeding, and pain. They can continue to swell, increasing in size over time.

Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids can cause some mild fecal incontinence, mucus discharge, and irritated skin. When the blood supply to internal hemorrhoids is cut off , they can become gangrenous.

Hemorrhoids are fairly common, affecting nearly three out of four adults at some point in their lives. Most people are able to use noninvasive methods to manage symptoms. When those dont work, hemorrhoidectomy can be an effective treatment.

Read Also: Do Hemorrhoids Itch And Burn

Also Check: Is Yogurt Good For Hemorrhoids

Ronald Hsu Md Facg Facp Dds

Sutter Roseville Medical Center

Its impossible to ignore the painful, itchy and sometimes alarming symptoms that accompany hemorrhoids. If you struggle with this common problem, youre not alone. The National Institutes of Health estimates 75 percent of adults ages 45 and older have dealt with hemorrhoids at some point in their lives.

Hemorrhoids are rectal veins that become swollen and distended, sometimes turning into an engorged hemorrhoid containing a blood clot. Most of the time, people discover a hemorrhoid by feeling a lump or protrusion when wiping after a bowel movement. Anything that increases pressure inside the abdomen can inflame rectal veins. Straining during a bowel movement, particularly if you constantly strain due to chronic constipation, is a common culprit.

Its aggravating to deal with hemorrhoids, but fortunately, you can often manage the condition with simple home treatments, says Ronald Hsu, M.D., a gastroenterologist with Sutters Sutter Roseville Medical Center.

If you have a sedentary lifestyle and eat a low-fiber diet, its time to make some changes so you wont have to deal with hemorrhoids again, Dr. Hsu says.

What Are The Risks Of Treatments For Hemorrhoids

How To Shrink External Hemorrhoids Without Surgery

Most non-surgical treatments have few risks. Possible problems may include:

  • Pain or discomfort. For some people, the pain may be so bad that they will not be able to do their normal activities for a day or so.
  • Bleeding, which may require another doctor visit to treat.
  • Temporary trouble urinating because of pain. If you are completely unable to urinate, you’ll need treatment.
  • Infection or abscess.

Rubber band ligation appears to cause more pain than other types of non-surgical procedures. Infrared photocoagulation usually causes fewer side effects.footnote 2

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How To Treat Internal And External Hemorrhoids

  • How to Treat Internal and External Hemorrhoids

There are some medical conditions we go through in life that we dont mind sharing about with our family and friends, like having a cavity, a migraine, or even being a little gassy . There are others, though, where the mere thought of this condition and where it brings the suffering incites enormous amounts of embarrassment and ultimately silence from the afflicted. In reality, though, these painful little guys are much more common than we think. Why would we know that when no one talks about them? Well, thats a great point, and we wouldnt. But, and no pun intended, chances are youve had one , and if you havent, statistics show that youll perform a google search – standing up – at some point in your life in search of how to deal with and treat hemorrhoids.

Everything You Need To Know About External Hemorrhoids

Some of the worst hemorrhoid experiences are associated with external hemorrhoids. If you have one of these, you may find yourself plagued with pain, irritation and other uncomfortable symptoms.

As miserable as an external hemorrhoid can be, you might try to suffer through it in silence. Theres no need to put yourself through that. The more you learn about hemorrhoids, the better youll understand that this problem is common and treatable.

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