When Hemorrhoid Surgery May Be Necessary
Very few people fewer than 10 percent of all adults who see a doctor because of symptomatic hemorrhoids will require a surgical operation.
Surgery to remove hemorrhoids is called a hemorrhoidectomy.
Your doctor may recommend a hemorrhoidectomy if:
- You have large external hemorrhoids
- You have both internal and external hemorrhoids
- An internal hemorrhoid has prolapsed
In a hemorrhoidectomy, the doctor makes a small incision to remove the hemorrhoid and surrounding tissue before closing the wound with stitches.
A hemorrhoidectomy is performed in an operating room and can be done under general anesthesia, in which you are unconscious and unable to feel pain.
It can also be done with a spinal anesthetic block while you are awake , or with a combination of relaxing and sedating drugs given intravenously and a local anesthetic injected around the anus.
Hemorrhoidectomy is associated with postoperative pain, but the procedure is successful for 95 percent of cases.
More recently, another option aimed at avoiding the postoperative pain of a hemorrhoidectomy has become available, called a stapled hemorrhoidopexy. A circular stapling device pulls the hemorrhoidal tissue upward and to its normal position, stapling it in place. The staples eventually fall out over time.
There are many options for the treatment of hemorrhoids. Its best to discuss the benefits and risks of each of these with your doctor in order to come up with the treatment plan that is best for your particular case.
Best Overall: Doctor Butler’s Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment
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Reapplication may be needed
Itching is a common symptom of hemorrhoids, and an itch in that particular location can be very frustrating. Preparation H’s Soothing Relief Anti-Itch Cream can provide fast, prescription-strength relief.
This treatment can be applied four times daily and comes in an easy-to-carry tube, so you can take it with you wherever you go. It’s made with one percent hydrocortisone cream, and can be gently blotted on the affected area for immediate relief.
Active Ingredients: Hydrocortisone | Dose: Blot on affected area up to 4 times daily | Uses: For hemorrhoid and anal itching relief
For Seriously Bad Hemorrhoids Talk To Your Doctor About Surgical Options
If youve tried home remedies and in-office procedures but your hemorrhoids are still making you miserable, it might be time to ask your doctor about surgery. Recovery from the surgical removal of hemorrhoids can be extremely painful, notes Dr. Bernstein, but its one of the most effective ways to get rid of hemorrhoids for good.
Another surgical option is having your hemorrhoids stapled into place. This is a less painful procedure compared to a hemorrhoidectomy, but it does come with a greater risk of relapse and is not recommended if you have anal sex, as staples can cause injury, notes Dr. Ky.
When to see a doctor for hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be a massive pain, but thankfully, symptoms typically go away within a week. If you still have symptoms of hemorrhoids after a week of self-care measures or youre experiencing severe pain or bleeding, seek medical attention immediately, says Dr. Thomas.
Its important to note that sometimes what might seem like symptoms of hemorrhoids could indicate something more serious. Less commonly, rectal bleeding can also be a sign of diseases such as colorectal cancer or anal cancer. Make sure to get checked out if you notice large amounts of bleeding or other changes in your bowel habits like a different stool color or consistency.
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Do Hemorrhoids Go Away On Their Own
Find a physician near you.
Hemorrhoids are a chronic disease, meaning the symptoms persist for a long time and are constantly recurring. If you have experienced recurring bouts of hemorrhoids, your hemorrhoids likely wont go away on their own. Left untreated, hemorrhoids often get worse over time and therefore harder to treat. This means that a hemorrhoid that could easily be treated today could eventually require surgery.
If youre unsure if you have hemorrhoids, consult with your doctor to get an accurate diagnosis and see if you should have a colon cancer screening, or a colonoscopy. Typically, adults over the age of 50 should undergo colonoscopy at least every 10 years, or more frequently if your family has a history of GI issues.
Cold And Hot Compresses
For those with more severe hemorrhoid symptoms, applying a cold and hot compress to the anal area at alternating intervals may provide some much-needed pain relief. An ice pack can help reduce local inflammation and irritation but should never be left directly on the skin for more than 10 minutes. After icing the affected area for 10 minutes, apply a warm compress for an additional 10 minutes.
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Why do I have hemorrhoids?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I can do that can relieve or prevent hemorrhoids?
- I saw blood on toilet paper. Is this serious?
- Are having hemorrhoids a sign of another health condition?
- Will I always have hemorrhoids?
- Is there medicine I can take for hemorrhoids? Are there side effects?
Best Bath Soak: Better Bath Better Body Sitz Bath Soak
Sprinkle this soothing Epsom salt soak right into your sitz bath. Pure juniper essential oil and pure niaouli essential oil combine with Epsom salt, which is one of Dr. Nazarians favorite ingredients for hemorrhoid relief, to reduce pain, cleanse, and support blood vessel function, as well as to reduce swelling. This all-star combination is whats earned this bath soak its 4.7-star rating on Amazon.
I have very sensitive skin especially in the sitz bath department, even psoriasis, a reviewer shares. I am reluctant to use any product that has a fragrance. But I needed something desperately for hemorrhoids, so I ordered this and a seat for the toilet. I have had zero irritation from it and it is helping my problem.
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Hemorrhoid Home Remedies: Warm Sitz Bath
A sitz bath refers to sitting in a few inches of warm water three times a day for 15 to 20 minutes. A sitz bath may help decrease the inflammation of hemorrhoids. Drying off the anal area completely after each sitz bath is important for minimizing moisture that irritates the skin surrounding your rectal area.
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:
Squeeze a small amount of the cream onto your finger and apply to the outside of the anus. Be sure to wash your hands thoroughly with warm soap and water before and after application or use a disposable glove or finger cot.
For Internal use:
If you do not see hemorrhoid relief from external application, some creams are able to be applied inside the anus. It is best to have a bowel movement before attempting to apply hemorrhoid cream this way.
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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What Oral Medication Is Best For Hemorrhoids
If you have been suffering from hemorrhoids, the great news is that there are plenty of treatment options available. These include home treatments, like over-the-counter medications, dietary changes, Sitz Baths, but can also expand to prescription medication or oral medication, even a surgical process in some serious circumstances.
The best oral medication for hemorrhoids is Aspirin, Ibuprofen, and Acetaminophen. Hemovel and Daflon 500 mg. are also proven to help hemorrhoid sufferers a great deal.
Instead of using medication for your hemorrhoids, I can recommend this 5-step method that could permanently treat your hemorrhoids and stop your pain. This is how it will help you.
If you also struggling with constipation this will definitely help you get rid of hard stool and hemorrhoids. Just adding this flavorless nutrient to your morning coffee or tea can help empty your bowels every morning effortlessly. See how it will improve your life and how easy it is to use.
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Getting Restful Sleep Without Triggering Hemorrhoid Pain
Depending on your preferred sleeping position, your hemorrhoid pain can make it difficult for you to get a good nights rest. In addition to clean cotton underwear and loose-fitting pajamas, we recommend you sleep on your stomach to reduce anal pain and place a pillow under your hips to prevent yourself from rolling over onto your back.
A full-body sitz bath right before bed may also ease discomfort, help you feel more relaxed, and make it easier for you to fall asleep. In addition, reading or listening to soothing music may take your mind off your hemorrhoids and your discomfort, which may help you get to sleep faster.
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When To Seek Medical Help
What Medicine Is Best For Hemorrhoids
Oral medications might also enhance your comfort by decreasing pain and inflammation. Although, therere lots of orally taken medicines available for hemorrhoid inflammation, pain and swelling, but these are the best among them:
Aspirin, Ibuprofen and Acetaminophen
- Limit the number of pills you take, drugs like aspirin and ibuprofen can sometimes make hemorrhoids bleed more.
Hemovel
- Hemovel is an over-the-counter pill that helps reduce the severity and duration of hemorrhoids.
- The pill is discreet and easy to use.
- The active ingredients are diosmin, which are anti-inflammatory and has venotonic properties
- Unique formulation relieves symptoms, pain, swelling, and bleeding.
- Simple and convenient dosing, 1 pill three times a day for 4 days, then 1 pill twice a day for 3 days.
Daflon 500 mg
- Daflon has seen to be a help for hemorrhoids sufferers according to numerous studies.
- Dosing for Daflon is, 2 pills three times a day for 4 days and after that 2 pills two times a day for three days.
- If hemorrhoids have not been relieved after 15 days you should consult a doctor.
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Why Do People Take Witch Hazel
Today, you can find witch hazel in your local drugstore. People often use it as an astringent, which draws tissue together and constricts blood vessels.
People apply witch hazel to the skin for a variety of problems, such as:
Applying witch hazel to the skin is the most common way it is used — and the safest.
People sometimes take witch hazel by mouth. When taken that way it is used to try to treat conditions as varied as:
- Tumors
- Cancer
There is no proof that taking witch hazel by mouth helps with these or any other conditions.
Witch hazel may bring some relief from hemorrhoids or skin irritations and lessen minor bleeding. Witch hazel extracts contain antioxidant compounds that may protect against sunburn and aging from the sun.
But the evidence is thin on its use for other conditions. Researchers have more work to do to demonstrate its effectiveness.
These are typical dosages of witch hazel:
- On the skin: 5 to 10 grams of leaf and bark simmered in 250 milliliters of water or undiluted
- As an alcohol extract : Saturate a piece of cloth and apply to the affected area.
- Rectal area. By suppository,use 0.1 to 1 gram leaf and bark applied one to three times daily. When applied to anal area, witch hazel water may be applied up to six times a day or after bowel movements.
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.
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Precautions On How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids
A common concern is that hemorrhoids increase the risk of colorectal cancer, but thats not true. However, the two conditions do cause similar symptoms. This is why its important to mention your hemorrhoids to your health care provider. Even when a hemorrhoid is healed completely, a colonoscopy may be done to rule out other causes of rectal bleeding. According to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons , every person age 50 and older should undergo a colonoscopy to screen for colorectal cancer.
Who Is At Risk For External Hemorrhoids
If your parents have had hemorrhoids, you may be more likely to have them as well. Hemorrhoids may also be caused by pregnancy.
As we age, hemorrhoids can occur due to increased pressure caused by sitting a lot. And anything that causes you to strain during bowel movements can lead to external hemorrhoids.
If youre not sure what the cause of your hemorrhoids may be, your doctor might be able to determine why.
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Why Do Hemorrhoids Occur
Sometimes hemorrhoids develop for no reason, but often they are associated with chronic constipation or diarrhea, straining during bowel movements, and prolonged sitting on the toilet. You can reduce your risk by following these three easy steps:
- Get enough fiber in your diet
- Stay well hydrated
- Exercise regularly .
What To Wear How To Sleep And Other Practical Tips For Hemorrhoid Sufferers
From chronic itching to excruciating pain, your hemorrhoids may cause a lot of discomfort that can affect your day-to-day activities, as well as your sleep.
At Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center in Creve Coeur, Missouri, our experienced physician, Dr. Betsy Clemens, has more than two decades of experience helping those suffering with hemorrhoids get relief. We want to share with you some of our best at-home treatments to help you manage your hemorrhoid symptoms.
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What If A Hemorrhoid Won’t Go Away
Most people will get relief from at-home treatments. However, sometimes these remedies do not work, or don’t 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.
Soak It Off In A Sitz Bath
A sitz bath comes from the German word sitzen, meaning sit, and it refers to a 10 to 15 minute soak in warm water that comes just up to your bottom and hips. Sitz baths can relieve irritation and itching as well as spasm of your anal sphincter muscles, says Dr. Thomas. Take a shallow soak in your bathtub or buy a small plastic tub from your pharmacy to give yourself a portable sitz bath two to three times a day.
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Related Resources For Hemorrhoids
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This article is not medical advice. It is intended for general informational purposes and is not meant to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. If you think you may have a medical emergency, immediately call your physician or dial 911.