How To Treat Internal Hemorrhoids

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.

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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

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

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Best Treatments For Internal Hemorrhoids

There are various modes of management for internal hemorrhoids starting from home remedies to surgical methods

• home remedies which include lifestyle modifications such as a high fiber diet, drinking more water, warm sitz bath
• nonsurgical management such as over the counter creams, analgesics, laxatives, and stool softeners

These may relieve the pressure inside the anal canal and make you feel better, and get rid of it

• Minimally invasive procedures such as
• Lords dilatation
• Injection sclerosant therapy
• Barron’s banding
• Cryotherapy

Newer methods such as harmonic scalpel therapy

• HAL – RAR Doppler-guided haemorrhoidal artery ligation & rectoanal repair proctoplasty

Best Medicine For Internal Hemorrhoids

While there are many medicinal treatments available for internal hemorrhoids, the most effective has been reported to be hemorrhoid suppositories.

Hemorrhoidal suppositories relieve swelling and bleeding caused by internal hemorrhoids. They contain a class of drugs called sympathomimetic amines. These work by narrowing the blood vessels in the area to decrease inflammation.

Some even contain substances that create a barrier to reduce the continuous irritation caused by the hemorrhoid encountering stool during bowel movements.

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Best Internal Hemorrhoid Cream

Hemorrhoid creams are generally used to treat prolapsed internal hemorrhoids. The mineral component in hemorrhoid creams combats the irritation of internal hemorrhoids, while the ingredient of Phenylephrine HCL alleviated inflammation.

Preparation H has been known to be the best internal hemorrhoid cream. With a variety of products available through the line today, it helps to lubricate the anal area.

This keeps bowel movements smooth and painless allowing your hemorrhoids the chance to heal. The addition of ingredients such as witch hazel and aloe vera have made preparation H even more effective over the years. Using witch hazel for hemorrhoids is a great way to reduce your symptoms.

How Do Foods Influence Hemorrhoids Diet

Diet is believed to have a big impact in causingand preventinghemorrhoids. People who consistently eat a high-fiber diet are less likely to get hemorrhoids, while those people who prefer a diet high in processed foods face a higher hemorrhoid risk.

A low-fiber diet can leave you constipated, which can contribute to hemorrhoids in two way. For one, it promotes straining on the toilet. It also aggravates the hemorrhoids by producing hard stools that further irritate the swollen veins.

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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.

1. Sclerotherapy

2. Rubber Band Ligation

3. Infrared Coagulation

4. Hemorrhoid Surgery

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.

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Provisional Dietary Fiber Table

Reproduced with permission from the American Gastroenterological Association. Kim, YI, Gastroenterology

Hemorrhoid creams

Over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or suppositories containing hydrocortisone may help. These options may help temporarily relieve pain, itching, and inflammation.

Warm Sitz Bath

Soak the rectal area in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes two to three times a day.

Laxatives

If increasing fiber intake doesnât relieve constipation, or if the side effects are not tolerable, your doctor may recommend a laxative.Some may be concerned that laxatives may increase the risk constipation in the future or that they will become constipated when laxatives are stopped. There is little to no evidence to support these claims. In fact, using laxatives may help reduce long-term problems with constipation.

Oral pain relievers

Acetometifin , aspirin, or ibuprofen may help temporarily reduce pain and discomfort.

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

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How Are Hemorrhoids Diagnosed

Your healthcare provider diagnoses hemorrhoids based on symptoms and a physical exam. You may also have:

• Digital rectal exam: Your provider inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for swollen veins.
• Anoscopy: Your provider uses an anoscope to view the lining of the anus and rectum.
• Sigmoidoscopy: Your provider uses a sigmoidoscope to view inside the lower part of the colon and rectum. Procedure types include flexible sigmoidoscopy and rigid sigmoidoscopy .

These tests may be uncomfortable but arent painful. They typically take place in a doctors office or outpatient center without anesthesia. You go home the same day.

Your provider may perform a colonoscopy to confirm findings from other tests or check for signs of colon cancer. This outpatient procedure requires anesthesia.

Top Suppositories For Internal Hemorrhoids

Suppositories are known to be a very effective treatment for the presence of internal hemorrhoids. The top five hemorrhoidal suppositories are:

• Preparation H Suppositories which work from the inside to heal tissues and ease bowel movements.
• Avenoc Suppositories that contain ingredients to attack the cause of hemorrhoids and heal from the inside.
• Neo Healar Suppositories which are scientifically tested to repair damaged tissue and speed recovery.
• Witch Hazel Suppositories which contain natural ingredients to soothe the symptoms associated with internal hemorrhoids.
• Anusol Suppositories that contain 2.5% hydrocortisone, known to alleviate inflammation and irritation.

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Severe Hemorrhoids Vs Mild Hemorrhoids: Stages

Many physicians use a grading system to categorize hemorrhoids along four stages:

• First-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that bleed, but do not prolapse. These are slightly enlarged hemorrhoids, but they do not protrude outside the anus.
• Second-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and retract on their own . These may come out of the anus during certain activities like passing stool, and then return back inside the body.
• Third-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and must be pushed back in by a finger.
• Fourth-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and cannot be pushed back in the anal canal. Fourth-degree hemorrhoids also include hemorrhoids that are thrombosed or that pull much of the lining of the rectum through the anus.

Related Conditions And Causes Of Hemorrhoids

Gastrointestinal problems such as constipation and diarrhea can lead to or worsen hemorrhoids. The prolonged sitting or straining that may occur when youâre dealing with these issues puts pressure on the hemorrhoidal tissue.

Hemorrhoids also often develop during pregnancy. This is similarly due to greater pressure in the area but can also be due to an increase in blood volume and as a result of hormonal changes that increase the likelihood of swelling. Constipation during pregnancy is a common cause of hemorrhoids.

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When To See A Doctor About Hemorrhoids

You should see a doctor if you notice bleeding during a bowel movement, or if you produce stool thats red or black. If you know you have a hemorrhoid, you should also see a doctor if the discomfort doesnt go away after a week with the help of at-home remedies.

Many patients find it to be difficult or embarrassing to talk to their doctor about gastrointestinal issuesbut you should know that your doctor is there to help you find solutions to your medical concerns, and you are certainly not the first patient theyve seen with this problem! Talking openly with your doctor is the best way for you to find long-lasting relief.

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.

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What Is The Best Hemorrhoid Medication

With so many medications available to treat hemorrhoids, you may be wondering which option is the best. Like most prescriptions, that can only be determined by your healthcare provider on a case by case basis. The best option will depend on your medical history, the severity of your hemorrhoids, and if youre taking any other medications that may negatively interact with hemorrhoid medication.

To make things easier to understand, weve broken down some of the different prescription medications available to treat hemorrhoids:

Dosage is determined by your doctor based on your medical condition, response to treatment, age, and weight. Other possible side effects exist. This is not a complete list.

Again, the best option available for you will be determined by having an open conversation with your healthcare providers. Theyll take all the variables into account, such as your symptoms, lifestyle, medical history, and if youre taking any other medications that may interact with treatment.

What Causes Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are often caused buy straining during bowel movements or as a result of the pressure placed on the anal region during pregnancy and childbirth. There are other causes such as trauma, anal intercourse, obesity, chronic diarrhea, chronic constipation and a diet that is too low in fiber.

There are also many times where the cause for the development of hemorrhoids can not be identified or is unknown. Some of these are preventable, while others, like unexpected trauma and childbirth are quite unpreventable.

Fortunately, for those of you that are currently dealing with internal hemorrhoids there are some fantastic, proven ways to get rid of them fast at home.

The key is to use all the tips together and create a harsh environment for your hemorrhoid to continue to thrive!

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Ease Pain And Itching

Take warm baths. Soak in a bathtub filled with a few inches of warm water for about 15 minutes at a time. Do it two or three times a day and after every bowel movement. If you want to wash the area, too, use unscented soap and donât scrub.

Pat gently afterward to dry. You can even use a blow dryer on a cool setting if that feels better.

There are also special âsitz bathsâ you can put directly on your toilet seat to make soaking easier.

Rub on relief. Over-the-counter wipes or creams with witch hazel can soothe pain and itch with no side effects. Donât use one with hydrocortisone for more than a week unless your doctor says itâs OK.

Ice it. Put a small cold pack on the trouble spot several times a day. It can dull pain and bring down the swelling for a little while.

Consider painkillers. An over-the-counter medicine, like acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen, could help with soreness.

Donât scratch. You could damage the skin and make the irritation â and the itching â worse.

Choose cotton. Wear loose, soft underwear. It keeps the area aired out and stops moisture from building up, which can bother your hemorrhoids.