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 psyllium , or a stool softener, such as methylcellulose , can help prevent constipation.
Avoid laxatives, which can lead to diarrhea and worsen hemorrhoid symptoms.
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Nonsurgical Treatment For Hemorrhoids
- Dietary planning. Your doctor may recommend that you include more water and high-fiber foods in your diet to promote good bowel habits, which can reduce your risk of developing hemorrhoids.
- Medications. For mild cases of hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend treatment using creams, suppositories, ointments, or medicated pads.
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Hemorrhoids Treatment: Rubber Band Ligation
The principle of rubber band ligation is to encircle the base of the hemorrhoidal clump with a tight rubber band. The tissue cut off by the rubber band dies, and is replaced by an ulcer that heals with scarring.
A similar procedure was described in 460 BC by the Greek physician Hippocrates:
And hemorrhoids you may treat by transfixing them with a needle and tying them with very thick and woolen thread, for application, and do not foment until they drop off, and always leave one behind and when the patient recovers, let him be put on a course of Hellebore.
Rubber band ligation can be used with first-, second-, and third-degree hemorrhoids, and may be more effective than sclerotherapy. Symptoms frequently recur several years later, but usually can be treated with further ligation.
The most common complication of ligation is pain. However, bleeding one or two weeks after ligation or bacterial infection in the tissues surrounding the hemorrhoids may occur.
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Common Causes Of Hemorrhoid Skin Tags
To accommodate your bowel movements, your body requires the skin in this particular region to be much looser than any other part of your body. While this is great for bowel movements, it can cause issues like hemorrhoid skin tags.
Some of the reasons why your blood vessels might swell up are:
- Trying to lift too-heavy objects
- The strain caused by forcing out ones stool
- Undergoing a pregnancy
How Do You Permanently Get Rid Of External Hemorrhoids
Treatment
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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 1,939,062 times.
Hemorrhoids, while very painful, usually arent 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.
Signs Your Hemorrhoids Warrant A Doctors Visit
Hemorrhoids are fairly common, especially among people ages 45 to 75. And most hemorrhoid symptoms, such as mild itching or mild pain, can usually be treated at home with over-the-counter remedies.
But there are times when a trip to the doctor is warranted and many people do seek medical help, whether for more specific medication or, in some cases, simple hemorrhoid surgery. According to the latest statistics for digestive diseases from the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases , 1.1 million people received outpatient care for hemorrhoids in 2009, and 266,000 people were hospitalized for treatment in 2010. While severe complications of hemorrhoids are quite rare, its important to know when to see your doctor.
Even a less serious situation can prompt a call to your doctor. If youve been trying to treat hemorrhoids on your own, for instance, yet the hemorrhoid symptoms linger, a doctor visit makes sense.
Different Types of Hemorrhoids
Know When to See Your Doctor
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Hemorrhoidectomy Versus Fixative Procedures For Internal Hemorrhoids
- Hemorrhoidectomy may provide better long-term results than fixative procedures. But surgery requires a longer recovery time, is usually more painful, and has a greater risk of complications.
- Fixative procedures are the preferred treatment for people older than age 70 and for people in poor health.
You can help prevent the irritating and painful symptoms of hemorrhoids.
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Do External Hemorrhoids Burn
Thats not to say that external hemorrhoids feel good. In fact, this variety is often more uncomfortable than its internal counterpart.
External hemorrhoids can be quite sensitive. You may experience a lot of pain, especially when sitting down. A hemorrhoid can be itchy and irritated. It may bleed.
Sometimes, an external hemorrhoid will even cause the skin to crack. Those cracks are known as.
You can learn more about hemorrhoids and fissures here:
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Can Hemorrhoids Be Prevented Or Avoided
Just about everyone has hemorrhoids at some time. But some things may make you more likely to get them. People whose parents had hemorrhoids may be more likely to get them. Pregnant women often get hemorrhoids because of the strain from carrying the baby and from giving birth. Being very overweight or standing or lifting too much can make hemorrhoids worse.
Temporary Hemorrhoid Treatment Options
Relief Using Hemorrhoid Creams
Hemorrhoid creams, such as those made by Tucks and Preparation H, are an appealing medicine to many people suffering from hemorrhoids as they can be purchased from the drugstore without a prescription and used in the privacy of the home. These creams typically contain a medicinal ingredient such as hydrocortisone along with a soothing agent to provide quick relief from hemorrhoid symptoms like itching and burning.
Whichever hemorrhoid cream you choose, it will have to be applied several times per day, especially in the morning and at night.
For External use:
For Internal use:
Then, after thoroughly washing your hands, attach the rounded applicator tip to the cream tube. Gently squeeze the tube in order to in order to test the applicator to see how much ointment comes out. You want to aim for an amount that is similar to the length of the tip of your index finger.
What You Should Know About Hemorrhoid Creams Like Preparation H
Home Remedies for Hemorrhoids
Some examples of hemorrhoid home remedies include:
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The Right Doctor Will Listen & Answer Your Questions
A doctor should listen to your questions and concerns and answer them in a way you understand. They will also help you understand your treatment options and feel comfortable discussing the problem.
After treatment, your doctor should thoroughly go over aftercare and how you can treat yourself at home to lessen symptoms and heal.
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How Can I Treat Hemorrhoids At Home
Hemorrhoids often go away on their own without treatment. Symptoms like pain and bleeding may last one week or slightly longer. In the meantime, you can take these steps to ease symptoms:
- Apply over-the-counter medications containing lidocaine, witch hazel or hydrocortisone to the affected area.
- Drink more water.
- Increase fiber intake through diet and supplements. Try to obtain at least 20-35 grams of daily fiber intake
- Soak in a warm bath for 10 to 20 minutes a day.
- Soften stool by taking laxatives.
- Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and inflammation.
- Use toilet paper with lotion or flushable wet wipes to gently pat and clean your bottom after pooping. You can also use a tissue or washcloth moistened with water.
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Patients With Compounding Conditions
Pregnant patients often develop hemorrhoids as intra-abdominal pressure increases, particularly during the third trimester.36 Also, acute episodes of pain and bleeding are common in pregnant women with preexisting hemorrhoids.
Immunosuppressed patients and those on anticoagulant therapy are more prone to serious complications such as sepsis and profuse bleeding. Thus, conservative management should be used in these patients as well. Injection sclerotherapy may be beneficial, as it has been shown to decrease bleeding. Of note, patients on immunosuppressive agents should stop taking them and start taking an antibiotic, and patients on anticoagulant or antiplatelet medications should be instructed to stop them one week before any intervention.
Crohns disease. Some patients with Crohns disease may have hemorrhoids, though this is rare. Eglinton et al,37 in a series of 715 patients with Crohns disease, reported that 190 had symptomatic perianal disease. Of these, only 3 had hemorrhoids. Treatment is always conservative and directed at the Crohns disease rather than the hemorrhoids.
Patients with portal hypertension are prone to have anorectal varices that may resemble hemorrhoids. Anorectal varices can be treated with vascular ligation, whereas sclerotherapy is the preferred method for hemorrhoids in this group, in whom coagulopathy is common.
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.
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How To Make Hemorrhoids Go Away Fast And Completely: 9 Quick Tips
1) Diet It always sounds so simple doesnt it, just diet when in reality it is very difficult for us as human beings to change our food consumptions habits.
The fact remains that diets high in fiber can help your hemorrhoids condition.
2) Stay Hydrated Staying hydrated is extremely important for regular bowel movements. If you dont stay hydrated you can become constipated which is terrible for your hemorrhoids .
Staying well hydrated is also import for general health.
3) Dont Strain Too MuchDuring Bowel Movements Following #1 and #2 will help prevent you from straining too much. Be aware of your toilet time.
Straining on the toilet seat can cause you to increase the pressure and worsen your hemorrhoid pain .
You dont want to stay on the toilet all day, yet you most certainly dont want to overstrain and rush.
4) Use a Hemorrhoid Cream or Suppository There are creams and suppositories that are clinically proven to improve your hemorrhoid condition, reduce swelling and shrink your hemorrhoids.
Incorporating a cream or suppository can also greatly reduce or eliminate your symptoms.
5) Use a Hemorrhoid WipeWhy clean yourself after a bowel movement with toilet paper when you can use a wipe soaked with medicine proven to help your symptoms and give you relief? Its a no brainer.
The medicine can actually shrink your hemorrhoid, cause a cooling effect and relieve itching. A common medicine found in hemorrhoid wipes is witch hazel.
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.
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Bleeding During Bowel Movements
There are many underlying causes of rectal bleeding, including hemorrhoids. Blood associated with internal hemorrhoids is typically bright red, causes no pain, occurs with bowel movements, and may be mild to moderate in amount.
You cant assume, however, that your symptoms are due to hemorrhoids. If youve never been diagnosed with hemorrhoids or have noted a change in the characteristics of the bleeding youve associated with hemorrhoids, see a doctor for an accurate diagnosis.
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Common Causes Of Hemorrhoids
Doctors are unable to pinpoint the exact cause of hemorrhoids, but numerous activities and risk factors can increase their presence in North Carolina patients. Common causes of hemorrhoids include:
- Straining during bowel movements
- Increased pressure due to obesity
- Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
- Eating a low-fiber diet
As we age, hemorrhoids become more common. By age 50, half of older adults experience one or more common symptoms of hemorrhoids. While this condition is not usually dangerous, hemorrhoids can be a significant and painful intrusion in daily life.
December 22, 2017 by inx Medical
If you suffer from hemorrhoids, the good news is that lower grade hemorrhoids can resolve on their own with at-home treatments. But what if they get to the point where you need to see a doctor to treat them? How do you choose where to go and what doctor is right for you?
Heres what you should know about finding the right doctor for you:
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How Do Doctors Treat Severe Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoidectomy: Your doctor surgically removes very large or painful hemorrhoids. Its effective for both external hemorrhoids and internal ones that are protruding. Hemorrhoid stapling: Your doctor uses this technique to cut off a hemorrhoids blood supply. This is usually done on internal hemorrhoids.
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What Type Of Doctor Fixes Hemorrhoids
If you have persistent and chronic hemorrhoids, your family doctor may recommend you to a gastroenterologist for further treatment.
Gastroenterologists are skilled in diagnosis and non-operative procedures, like rubber band ligation or sclerotherapy.
A gastroenterologist will send you to a proctologist if operative surgery is needed for your hemorrhoids.
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How A Doctor Can Help
Doctors can recommend medical treatments and procedures that can reduce or get rid of hemorrhoids. Some of these procedures can be done right in a doctors office and involve very little discomfort.
- Medicated creams/ointments. If an OTC hemorrhoid cream isnt enough, doctors can prescribe stronger creams and ointments.
- Minimally-invasive procedures. There are some minimally-invasive procedures that a doctor can do in their office or in an ambulatory surgery center that typically doesnt require anesthesia or long recovery times. Some of these procedures include rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy injections, and laser/infrared coagulation treatments.
- Thrombectomy. For severe cases that develop blood clots and cause a lot of pain, your doctor can perform an external hemorrhoid thrombectomy to remove the hemorrhoid. Thrombectomies are most effective when performed no more than 72 hours after severe symptoms emerge.
- Surgery. There are several surgical options available when other treatments and procedures havent worked or if you have very large hemorrhoids. If youve struggled to find relief, talk to your doctor to learn if surgery is right for you.
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With These Treatments Hemorrhoid Symptoms Often Go Away Within A Week
Hemorrhoid surgery is safe and effective most of the time. If your doctor sees indications of a more complicated case of hemorrhoids or a more serious condition, they may refer you to a specialist like a gastroenterologist or a colon and rectal surgeon. During a traditional hemorrhoidectomy, a narrow incision is made around the hemorrhoids to cut out the swollen tissue. Learn the symptoms, causes, and treatments of hemorrhoids. Mary mcmahon individuals who experience recurrent hemorrhoids may find it useful to see a hemorrhoid specialist. He or she feels for anything unusual, such as growths. Additionally, you should meet with your doctor to discuss this bleeding. In most cases, your family doctor or primary care physician can help you manage hemorrhoids. You can discuss with a hemorrhoids specialist about your hemorrhoids related to severe conditions such as pain, clotting, and bleeding. If youve already popped a hemorrhoid, its important to take steps to reduce your risk of infection. General surgery 31 years experience colorectal surgeon: Removing the clot within the first 48 hours often gives the most relief, so request a timely appointment with your. Hemorrhoids are a very common problem.
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