How To Treat And Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids

Consider Having A Clot Removed

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

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.

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.

Getting Rid Of Hemorrhoids

1Learn about home treatments. In most cases, hemorrhoids can be treated at home, using methods that soothe or reduce pain, inflammation, swelling, itching and pressure.XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the PublicGo to source This section describes some of the steps you can take at home to feel better.

2Keep the area clean. Although it can be painful to wipe the anal area when there’s a hemorrhoid present, one of the most important steps you can take to begin healing is keeping it as clean as possible. Gently wash it with a soft washcloth, warm water and mild soap. Rinse well, and pat dry using a clean washcloth or very soft toilet tissue.

You might also want to try using moist towelettes, which are much more gentle than dry toilet tissue. Many brands include aloe or other soothing ingredients.

3Use a topical treatment. Several topical treatments can relieve hemorrhoid swelling and pain. Some can be purchased at the drugstore, and some are probably in your kitchen. Here’s what to try:

Creams and ointments: Preparation H, hydrocortisone creams, diaper rash cream, or products containing topical analgesics such as lidocaine or benzocaine.

Witch hazel: Tucks Medicated Pads contain witch hazel, which is an astringent. You can also purchase witch hazel water and apply it to the anal area using a cotton ball or soft pad.

You can reapply the paste every 4-6 hours until your pain subsides.

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Are There Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids, also referred to as piles, are one of the most common problems in the general population. It is estimated that hemorrhoids will affect 75% of American adults at some point in their lifetime. They represent swollen veins in the area of the anus and rectum and can develop inside the rectum or below the skin of the anus . Common symptoms of hemorrhoids may include pain/discomfort, itching/irritation, rectal bleeding, and a swelling or lump near the anus. Embarrassment, fear of pain, and long recovery times are all common worries that prevent many individuals from seeking the treatment they need. As a result, many people with hemorrhoids opt for self-treatment with home remedies. Though the below remedies can help treat hemorrhoids, if you are suffering from this condition it is always better to first make an appointment with your physician!

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.

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When To Seek Medical Help

1Know when to call the doctor. Home treatments will heal most hemorrhoids. However, there may be times when helping yourself is not sufficient, and you need medical attention. Pay close attention to symptoms to determine whether you should seek medical help. Look for the following:

Duration of symptoms: Bleeding and pain typically resolve after two to three days. Call your doctor if these symptoms last longer than one week.

Timing of symptoms: Bleeding from hemorrhoids usually only occurs with bowel movements. If you are experiencing rectal bleeding at any other time, call your doctor.

Changes in symptoms: Changes in your symptoms can mean your condition is worsening. It can also mean that something else is wrong. If the color of your hemorrhoidal bleeding changes from bright to dark red, call your doctor as soon as possible.

Severity of symptoms: If you’ve been applying home treatments, your hemorrhoids should improve. If your symptoms worsen, or become severe, call your doctor.

How To Treat Hemorrhoids And When You Should See Your Doctor

Hemorrhoids are an irritating, often painful condition that occurs when the veins around the anus or lower part of the rectum become swollen and inflamed as a result of too much pressure. External hemorrhoids develop underneath the skin around the anus, while internal hemorrhoids develop in the lining of the tissues.

Hemorrhoids affect about 1 in 20 Americans, and about half of adults over age 50 have them. Age is one factor as we get older, the supporting tissues in the rectum and anus become weaker and more vulnerable to pressure.

Pregnancy also can weaken these tissues, which is why pregnant women often experience hemorrhoids. Other potential causes include chronic constipation or diarrhea, straining during bowel movements and sitting on the toilet for extended periods. Also, frequently lifting heavy objects may increase the likelihood of hemorrhoids.

What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoid symptoms vary depending on whether the inflamed veins are external or internal.

External hemorrhoids may cause itching and pain, especially while seated. Also, you may feel one or more tender lumps around the anal area. Scratching, rubbing or excessively cleaning the area can make symptoms worse.

With internal hemorrhoids, you may notice bright red blood when you have a bowel movement. Internal hemorrhoids are not usually painful unless they fall through the anal opening, called prolapsing.

How are hemorrhoids treated at home?

When to see the doctor

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Home Remedies And Lifestyle

Hemorrhoids are enlarged blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum that may bleed. Known as the “varicose veins of the anus and rectum, hemorrhoids are among the most painful conditions someone can have.

To some extent, this depends on the type of hemorrhoid:

External hemorrhoids form near the anus and are usually painless unless they become swollen or a blood clot forms.
Internal hemorrhoids form in the anus, beneath the lining, and can be extremely painful.

Generations of hemorrhoid sufferers have relied on home remedies to shrink hemorrhoids and prevent them from returning. Some remedies target the hemorrhoid directly while others are aimed at alleviating the bowel irregularities that often caused the problem in the first place.

The following remedies can provide significant relief from acute hemorrhoid symptoms:

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids

Is There a Way to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids for Good?

Usually, bleeding when having a bowel movement or frequent anal itching are the first signs of enlarged hemorrhoids. However, some hemorrhoid symptoms can be very uncomfortable depending on their severity.

According to Dr. Scott C. Thornton, Associate Clinical Professor of Surgery at Yale University School of Medicine, hemorrhoids can cause a number of symptoms. Some of these are:3

Drops of blood in the toilet water or on paper after wiping
A visible lump of soft tissue at the anal opening that is pink or blue
An urgent urge to scratch the anus
Pain when having a bowel movement
Extreme pain caused by prolapsed hemorrhoids that may last for 3 or 4 days

Dr. Thornton explains that the severity of hemorrhoids is graded by their symptoms. These are as follows:3

Grade 1 hemorrhoids. Some bleeding with a bowel movement and the swollen rectal veins are generally unseen.
Grade 2 hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoids may protrude when straining to pass stool. The enlarged hemorrhoid will disappear when you cease straining.
Grade 3 hemorrhoids. Larger hemorrhoids that pop out of the anus while straining during a bowel movement. The hemorrhoid lump will need to be pushed back in.
Grade 4 hemorrhoids. Prolapsed hemorrhoid where the large lumps stay on the outside of the anus. May require surgery or other procedure to get rid of hemorrhoids permanently.

Read Also: What To Use To Shrink Hemorrhoids

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 Are The Signs And Symptoms Of An Internal Or Prolapsed Hemorrhoid

Most often, internal hemorrhoids have no symptoms but are only found if there is bleeding with a bowel movement or if the hemorrhoid prolapses so that it can be felt outside of the anus. This may lead to itching and pain as well as the bleeding.

Prolapse of an internal hemorrhoid occurs when the internal hemorrhoids swell and extend from their location in the rectum through the anus. A prolapsed internal hemorrhoid:

Can be felt as a lump outside the anus
Can be gently pushed back through the anus, this may resolve the location of the hemorrhoid, but does not fix the hemorrhoid itself
May enlarge and swell even more if it cannot be pushed back
May become entrapped, which requires more urgent medical attention

Hemorrhoids may also cause anal itching , and a constant feeling of needing to have a bowel movement .

Internal hemorrhoid severity can be graded:

Grade I: Prominent blood vessels with no prolapse
Grade II: Prolapse with bearing down but with spontaneous reduction
Grade III: Prolapse with bearing down but requiring manual reduction
Grade IV: Prolapse with inability to manual reduction

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What Causes Hemorrhoids To Itch

When an internal hemorrhoid prolapses it brings along mucus that can irritate the sensitive area around the anus causing itching. If the hemorrhoid stays prolapsed, mucus production continues and so does the itching. If stool mixes with the mucus, that combination can make the irritation, and thus the itching, greater.

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Peppermint Oil To Soothe Hemorrhoid Pain

How to naturally get rid of hemorrhoids 10 home remedies

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.

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Simple Tips To Get Rid Of Internal Hemorrhoids Fast And At Home

Diet- Eat Your Veggies! First and foremost, your diet must be addressed. Hemorrhoids can be caused by an unhealthy diet which leads to constipation and overstraining during bowel movements. A diet high in fiber is recommended for those with internal hemorrhoids. This can be attained by eating your veggies. On days you forget, Metamucil can also do the trick. The key is that you are having regular bowel movements that doesnt require a great deal of straining. Straining too much can actually irritate the hemorrhoids, causing them to become more inflamed and painful. In addition to being a good choice for your general health, eating you veggies can help you get rid of those internal hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoid Supplement – Take the fight to your internal hemorrhoids from the inside! Taking a hemorrhoid supplement that is specifically designed for hemorrhoids like HemRid Plus can really help. These products contain scientifically researched ingredients like witch hazel, the ingredient in hemorrhoid wipes and pads. They attack the hemorrhoids from the inside. HemRid is the leading supplement. It is the top selling hemorrhoid supplement on Amazon and has an extremely high customer satisfaction rate. It is great compliment to a cream and wipe. Speaking of wipes, that leads us to #5.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Hemorrhoids

You may be more likely to get hemorrhoids if other family members, like your parents, had them.

Pressure building up in your lower rectum can affect blood flow and make the veins there swell. That may happen from:

Pushing during bowel movements
Anal sex

People who stand or sit for long stretches of time are at greater risk, too.

You may get them when you have constipation or diarrhea that doesn’t clear up. Coughing, sneezing, and vomiting could make them worse.

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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.

Why Are Internal Prolapsed Hemorrhoids At A Greater Risk Of Becoming Thrombosed

How to Get Rid of Hemorrhoids Naturally Fast and Easy ?

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.

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Warm Bath With Epsom Salt

Warm baths can help soothe irritation from hemorrhoids. Try using a sitz bath a small plastic tub that fits over a toilet seat so you can just immerse the affected area or take a bath in a tub, if you can.

Try a warm bath or a sitz bath for 20 minutes after each bowel movement. Adding Epsom salt to the bath can provide further relief by reducing pain.

New Treatments For Piles

The UK National Institute for Health and Care Excellence is currently assessing a new treatment for approval that uses radiofrequency energy to destroy the piles blood vessels and surrounding piles tissue. While this treatment and current piles treatments focus on the rectal and anal areas, new research is also investigating treatments that address the whole vein system.

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Conventional Treatment For Hemorrhoids

When you go to see a doctor for enlarged hemorrhoids, he or she will look at your anus to see if its inflamed and whether the hemorrhoids come out of the anus when you push or if theyre already outside. Depending on the severity of your symptoms, there are a number of examinations your doctor may choose to perform in order to make a diagnosis. Doctors typically do a digital rectal examination first, which involves gently inserting a finger into the anus with gloves and lubricant. The doctor will feel the inside of the anal canal using circular movements, which allows him to examine the sphincter muscles and the texture of the membranes lining the anus.

If your doctor believes that you do have enlarged hemorrhoids, she will most likely perform a proctoscopy next. This involves inserting a short tube with a light and lens on it that exams the membranes lining the rectum. The doctor is looking to see if there are enlarged hemorrhoids and how big they are. People tend to fear the pain and discomfort that come with these procedures, but they usually dont hurt and do help your doctor make suggestions about how to get rid of hemorrhoids.

Most of the patients suffering from hemorrhoids have their symptoms alleviated through diet therapy, fiber supplements, hemorrhoid cream and medical treatments, such as sclerotherapy, rubber band ligation and infrared coagulation.