Tuesday, March 19, 2024

What Can I Do To Treat Hemorrhoids

What If A Hemorrhoid Wont Go Away

6 Home Hemorrhoid Treatment Tips – How Doctors Treat Hemorrhoids

Most people will get relief from at-home treatments. However, sometimes these remedies do not work, or dont work well enough. In that case, there are treatments that the doctor can provide. These can range from pills to prescription creams to minimally invasive procedures, and even to hemorrhoid removal surgery.

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You Can Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids Fast And Naturally

As detailed throughout this article, it is important to know how to get rid of hemorrhoids fast.

Some of the best natural methods include an Epsom salt sitz bath, cold compress, aloe vera, witch hazel, coconut oil, horse chestnut, butchers broom, psyllium husk, and essential oils like cypress and helichrysum. It is also helpful to drink plenty of water and eat a high-fiber diet and fermented foods like kefir, sauerkraut, or kimchi.

Also, be sure to remember to practice a better toilet routine, including avoiding straining, prolonged sitting on the toilet, and constipation, while also cleaning yourself thoroughly. After all, bowel movements should be smooth and without strain.

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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

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How Are They Treated

For most external hemorrhoids, home treatment is all you need. This includes slowly adding fibre to your meals, drinking more water, and using over-the-counter ointments for a limited time to stop itching. You also may use stool softeners. The same home treatment can be used for most internal hemorrhoids.

If your internal hemorrhoids are severe, you may need other treatment. The doctor may tie off the hemorrhoids with rubber bands or scar the tissue around the hemorrhoids. These treatments reduce the blood supply to the hemorrhoids so that they shrink or go away.

Surgery to remove hemorrhoids may be done if other treatments don’t work.

Healthy habits can help you prevent hemorrhoids or keep them from getting worse. Eat foods that have lots of fibre, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Also, drink plenty of water, and get plenty of exercise.

What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of An Internal Or Prolapsed Hemorrhoid

Bleeding Hemorrhoids in 2020

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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Different Kinds Of Hemorrhoids Can Cause Similar Symptoms

When internal hemorrhoids do progress, they will often protrude outside the anus, becoming prolapsed hemorrhoids. You can read about prolapsed hemorrhoids in several of our blog posts: Prolapsed Internal Hemorrhoids, What is a Prolapsed Hemorrhoid, and Rectal Prolapse or Hemorrhoids?). An internal hemorrhoid that has reached this stage can cause some external hemorrhoid-like symptoms, such as itchiness and swelling. Since prolapsed hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids can cause similar symptoms, its sometimes difficult to know which is which without a doctors professional diagnosis. It is also not uncommon for both to be present at once.

How Do I Shrink Hemorrhoids

Let’s talk about how you can shrink hemorrhoids. Most people go for a few common home remedies that seem to work fairly well.

Let’s take a look at some of the home remedies for shrinking hemorrhoids and see if they sound like something you might want to try.

  • Aloe Vera – This type of cream is known to ease itching and painful burning. If you choose to use aloe vera, look for one that contains vitamin E to help soothe the area and provide a little better pain relief.
  • Flax seed – Ground flax seeds are very high in fiber and this is a good thing with hemorrhoids. Anything high in fiber softens the bowel movements and causes less straining.
  • Coconut oil – This is a topical treatment and requires the area to be clean and dry. The oil should be applied with a clean cotton poultice and the coconut oil is thought to help shrink hemorrhoids within approximately a week.
  • Apple cider vinegar – This remedy can either be added to your bath water or you can apply it using a clean cotton swab, directly to the hemorrhoid. Apple cider vinegar is a natural anti-inflammatory and will help with the swelling and pain. Warning! You may experience burns so be careful with this. It is also very toxic when ingested.
  • Butcher’s broom – This remedy promotes blood circulation and is good for treating varicose veins and hemorrhoids. Typically, it would be taken in the form of a hemorrhoid supplement or steeped as a tea. This is a traditional European remedy that was once used as a cleaner or sanitizer.
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    Improving Your Diet And Lifestyle

  • 1Eat more fiber. Slowly add fiber to your diet, increasing in small increments since it may cause gas or bloating. While everyone needs a different amount of fiber based on calories consumed, try to get 25 grams of fiber a day if you’re a female or 30 grams of fiber a day if you’re a male. Fiber will soften your stools, making them easier to pass.XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source Different fibers have different effects on your body, so aim to include more wheat bran fibers and other cereals, which are the fibers that affect stool softness.XTrustworthy SourcePubMed CentralJournal archive from the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source
  • Fiber supplements can reduce hemorrhoid bleeding, irritation, and inflammation.XTrustworthy SourceHarvard Medical SchoolHarvard Medical School’s Educational Site for the PublicGo to source
  • If you feel bloated or gassy, you may be eating too much fiber.
  • You can increase your fiber by choosing whole grains, fruits with the peel or rind, leafy greens, beans, and legumes.XTrustworthy SourceNational Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney DiseasesHealth information from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, a division of the U.S. National Institutes of HealthGo to source
  • You may also be able to get fiber in yogurt that contains active cultures and probiotics.XResearch source
  • Try pelvic floor exercises.XResearch source
  • How Do Foods Influence Hemorrhoids Diet

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    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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    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:

    Best medications for hemorrhoids
    30 gm of 2.5% Shortness of breath, stomach pain, rectal bleeding, headaches

    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.

    How Long Do Hemorrhoids Take To Heal

    For many people, hemorrhoids last and last. Ongoing pain is especially common for people over age 50. For many people, hemorrhoidal pain returns years after treatment, and for many others the condition comes and goes, becoming more common over time.

    Do Hemorrhoids Ever Go Away on Their Own?

    Sometimes they do. Smaller hemorrhoids are apt to go away in just a few days. It’s a good idea during this time to avoid further irritating your rectal area by keeping the area as clean as you can.

    How Can You Make Hemorrhoids Go Away?

    Tougher cases of hemorrhoids may not go away on their own. After trying home remedies and over-the-counter options without success, you will need to talk to your doctor about other treatment options.

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    What Are The Types Of Hemorrhoids

    Hemorrhoids can happen inside or outside the rectum. The type depends on where the swollen vein develops. Types include:

    • External: Swollen veins form underneath the skin around the anus. Your anus is the canal where poop comes out. External hemorrhoids can be itchy and painful. Occasionally, they bleed. Sometimes they fill with blood that can clot. This is not dangerous, but can result in pain and swelling.
    • Internal: Swollen veins form inside the rectum. Your rectum is the part of the digestive system that connects the colon to the anus. Internal hemorrhoids may bleed, but they usually arent painful.
    • Prolapsed: Both internal and external hemorrhoids can prolapse, meaning they stretch and bulge outside of the anus. These hemorrhoids may bleed or cause pain.

    What Is A Bleeding Hemorrhoid

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    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.

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    Diagnosis For Bleeding Hemorrhoids

    A licensed healthcare professional can help diagnose bleeding hemorrhoids. To get the diagnosis, your doctor may have you undergo a physical examination and:

    • Rectal examination, where a doctor uses a gloved finger to check inside your rectum.
    • Anoscopy, where a doctor inserts a lighted scope into your rectum to examine the anal canal.
    • Colonoscopy, where a doctor places a long flexible tube with a tiny camera into your rectum to examine the entire colon.

    There are two types of hemorrhoids:

    • Internal hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids hidden inside the rectum are called internal hemorrhoids. These are usually painless but can cause bleeding when you use the bathroom.
    • External hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that you can see or feel are called external hemorrhoids. These are usually more painful because the skin becomes irritated and eroded.

    A health care provider will help you determine what kind of hemorrhoids you have and discuss the best treatment options.

    • Fibersupplements to help soften your stool
    • Laxatives to help you make healthy stools
    • Sitz bath to improve blood flow and relax the muscle around the anus

    Over-the-counter creams and rectal suppositories may be another option to treat a bleeding hemorrhoid. These can help relieve pain, itching, and inflammation temporarily:

    Minimally invasive treatments

    In other cases, your doctor might recommend sclerotherapy. Sclerotherapy is when a doctor injects a chemical solution into a hemorrhoid, causing it to break down and scar.

    Surgery

    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.

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    What Can Be Done For Bleeding Internal Hemorrhoids

    Treatment

    • Eat high-fiber foods. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains.
    • Use topical treatments. Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository containing hydrocortisone, or use pads containing witch hazel or a numbing agent.
    • Soak regularly in a warm bath or sitz bath.
    • Take oral pain relievers.

    Apply Cold Or Moist Compress

    Hemorrhoids Treatment – What You Can Do to Treat a Hemorrhoid

    To reduce swelling, apply cold compresses or ice packs wrapped in a towel directly to the external area for up to 10 minutes. PREPARATION H Medicated Wipes can be used as a moist compress. First cleanse the area. Fold new wipe to desired size and place in contact with anal area for a soothing and cooling effect. Leave in place for up to 15 minutes and repeat as needed.

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    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
    • cause side effects such dry skin around your anus or a rash

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

    When To Seek Medical Care For Hemorrhoids

    When to call the doctor

    • Bleeding from the rectum or anus is never normal and although hemorrhoids are the most common reason to have blood in the stool, it should be discussed with your primary health-care professional. Other causes ofrectal bleeding exist and can be serious. Inflammatory bowel disease and cancers of the colon can present with rectal bleeding. Blood in the stool should never be ignored.
    • Medical care should be sought urgently if a person is taking anticoagulation medications such as warfarin , dabigatran , rivaroxiban , apixaban , clopidogrel , prasugrel or enoxaparin .
    • Individuals who have associated symptoms such as lightheadedness and weakness may have significant blood loss and may require more urgent care.
    • Hemorrhoids do not cause abdominal pain should this pain be present with bleeding, medical care should be sought immediately.
    • Prolapsed hemorrhoids that cannot be pushed back through the anus require medical care.
    • Thrombosed external hemorrhoids may cause significant pain and medical care may be necessary to remove the clot.

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