When To Seek Medical Advice
See your GP if you have persistent or severe symptoms of haemorrhoids. You should always get any rectal bleeding checked out, so your doctor can rule out more potentially serious causes.
The symptoms of haemorrhoids often clear up on their own or with simple treatments that can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription . However, speak to your GP if your symptoms dont get better or if you experience pain or bleeding.
Your GP can often diagnose haemorrhoids using a simple internal examination of your back passage, although they may need to refer you to a colorectal specialist for diagnosis and treatment.
Some people with haemorrhoids are reluctant to see their GP. However, theres no need to be embarrassed, because GPs are very used to diagnosing and treating haemorrhoids.
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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.
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.
Preparation H Clear Gel: Best Natural Gel To Cool And Soothe Haemorrhoids
Price: £6.49 | Buy now from Boots
Preparation H is the dark-horse upstart in the haemorrhoid world, surviving while Anusol and Germoloids dominate. It bravely eschews zinc oxide and pain-killing ingredients in favour of witch hazel, which has been used for centuries to soothe stings and calm inflamed skin. This wonderfully cooling gel absorbs really fast, without feeling at all greasy, so it’s ideal for bedtime. It won’t shrink persistent piles, but it does a great job of hydrating dry, itchy skin.
Key specs â Size: 50g Format: Gel Active ingredient: Witch hazel
Price: £6.31 | Buy now from Lloyds Pharmacy
This relatively gentle formula makes Anusol Cream ideal for keeping in the bedside cabinet for ongoing use. It doesn’t contain lidocaine or hydrocortisone, which means it may not be strong enough to kill the pain and itch of really unpleasant piles. But it does contain zinc oxide to shrink piles, and it has a light, cool sensation that immediately soothes irritated skin and absorbs really fast. Unlike ointment, it doesn’t leave any greasy residue on your hands, although of course you should wash your hands before and after applying it.
Key specs â Size: 43g Format: Cream Active ingredients: Zinc oxide 10.75g, bismuth oxide, balsam Peru
Price: £4.99 | Buy now from Boots
Key specs â Size: x24 Format: Suppositories Active ingredients: Allantoin, lidocaine
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What Haemorrhoid Treatments Are Available At The Glasgow Colorectal Centre
It is important to undergo a complete assessment to confirm that the problem is indeed related to haemorrhoids and that there is not another cause for concern in the colon/bowel. Depending on the individuals age and any other anorectal symptoms, a colonoscopy may be advised in order to ensure the rest of the colon and rectum is healthy. If haemorrhoids are confirmed to be the main problem, all of the treatments described in this section are available and performed the colorectal surgeons at the Glasgow Colorectal Centre.
All of the above said, when considering treatments for patients who do not respond to more simple treatment measures such a change in diet, avoidance of staining and banding of haemorrhoids, we have found such good results with the THD procedure for haemorrhoids that we now tend to favour this procedure over other more invasive procedures such as haemorrhoidectomy.
How Can I Prevent Haemorrhoids
To prevent Haemorrhoids, you needn’t need more than a few simple lifestyle changes. Making sure you eat a healthy and balanced diet, exercise regularly and stay hydrated can all contribute in the prevention of piles.
Ensuring you are getting enough fibrous food in your diet can reduce your chances of becoming constipated. Plant foods such as fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, wholegrain bread and cereal, wholewheat, oats and beans are rich in fibre and help to maintain a healthy colon.
Lowering your intake of caffeine and alcohol, and ensuring you are consuming enough water will keep your bowels working as they should.
Delaying the need to defecate can result in constipation which, in turn, can cause piles. Going to the toilet when you need to keep your digestive system moving along.
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Doctor Butlers Ointment Uses Aloe Vera To Calm Itchy And Inflamed Skin
Sarah is a freelance writer with a focus on health and wellness. She has written for publications like Womens Health, Healthline, and Parents. She taught creative writing for five years, and has a bachelors degree in English from Southern Connecticut State University.
Robert Burakoff, MD, MPH, is board-certified in gastroentrology. He is the vice chair for ambulatory services for the department of medicine at Weill Cornell Medical College in New York, where he is also a professor. He was the founding editor and co-editor in chief of Inflammatory Bowel Diseases.
Christina Oehler is a commerce editor for Verywell Health. She has a degree from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign and has work published on sites like Health, Shape, and Brides.
We independently research, test, review, and recommend the bestproducts. Healthcare professionals review articles for medical accuracy. Learn more about our process. If you buy something through our links, we may earn a commission.
Verywell Health / Jessica Juliao
Equate Maximum Strength Hemorrhoid Relief
Equate is one of the most trusted company when it comes to providing products with promising results. This is a specially formulated cream which is extremely effective in targeting the pain, soreness and burning associated with hemorrhoids.
This cream works by shrinking the swollen hemorrhoid tissue and forming a protective layer over the irritated tissue.
The active ingredients used in this cream are glycerine, petroleum, phenylephrine HCl and pramoxine.
- Glycerin is helpful in easing bowel movements and treating constipation.
- It is known to reduce irritation and itching caused by external hemorrhoids.
It also contains aloe vera which ensures to protect the skin from bacterial and fungal infections. This therapeutic cream will shrink the swollen hemorrhoids and supports healing.
This particular cream can be used for both internal and external hemorrhoids. You can apply this cream 5 times in a day for complete relief.
Pros:
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Treatment Of Bowel Cancer
Your treatment and care will be managed by a team of doctors and other cancer specialists. They will discuss with you what treatments they recommend in your particular circumstances. This will depend on the size of your tumour , its position and if it has spread, as well as your general health and fitness.
If you find out you have bowel cancer early on, it may be possible to cure it. If youre diagnosed later and the cancer has spread, the focus of treatment may be on prolonging your life and reducing symptoms.
What Are The Treatment Options
Small hemorrhoids often clear up without treatment or with home treatment and lifestyle changes. If youve continued problems or complications, such as bleeding, you should see your doctor.
Your doctor can rule out other causes of bleeding during bowel movements, such as colon or . If your symptoms become severe, your doctor may recommend medical procedures to remove or shrink the hemorrhoids.
Your doctor may recommend a minimally invasive outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatments are treatments that your doctor performs in their office. Some treatments include the following:
- Rubber band ligation is the most common nonsurgical treatment, and it involves your doctor tying a tight band around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply. Eighty percent of people who receive treatment for hemorrhoids have this type of treatment.
- During coagulation, your doctor uses infrared light, heat, or extreme cold to shrink the hemorrhoid.
- During sclerotherapy, your doctor injects a chemical to shrink the hemorrhoid.
If you have severe hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids that dont respond to in-office medical treatments, you may need a doctor to surgically extract them. This has been shown to provide symptom relief and reduce future outbreaks.
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What Can I Do To Ease Hemorrhoid Pain
There are many ways to ease the pain of hemorrhoids.
At-home methods include over-the-counter pain medications, creams or wipes, sitz baths, and many lifestyle changes to prevent the worsening of your hemorrhoids.
If at-home treatments are not working, talk to your doctor about non-invasive treatments.
Rubber band ligation is a non-invasive procedure that involves placing one or two rubber bands on the internal hemorrhoids to cut off the circulation.
Injection or sclerotherapy involves the injection of a chemical solution to shrink the hemorrhoid tissue.
Coagulation is also an option. Lasers, infrared light, or heat can be used to harden and shrivel your hemorrhoids.
If all else fails, you can talk to your doctor about the surgical procedures to alleviate hemorrhoids.
Be careful when trying laser hemorrhoid surgery, as it can be very painful.
How To Choose The Best Haemorrhoid Treatment For You
What type of haemorrhoid treatment should I buy?
Haemorrhoid creams should be your first port of call for treating piles. “Over-the-counter creams such as Anusol contain a combination of ingredients to relieve pain and itching, and to stop bacteria from growing around the affected area,” pharmacist Hussain Abdeh told Expert Reviews. “They provide fast, effective relief of symptoms such as burning, itching and mild pain.”
Haemorrhoid cream can help even if you’re suffering from internal piles. “Creams are typically more effective when treating external piles, but they can also relieve irritation caused by discharge from internal piles,” says Hussain. Creams also have the advantage of being lightweight, cooling, and fast to absorb.
Haemorrhoid ointments contain similar active ingredients as creams, but they’re thicker and more greasy. So you may need to put a gauze on top to stop the ointment transferring onto underwear and bed sheets, but the thick, gloopy texture is especially soothing for itchy, dry, sore skin. Most ointments come with applicators to help you apply them internally, too.
What ingredients should I look for in haemorrhoid creams?
All haemorrhoid treatments contain a combination of pain/itch-reliever and antiseptic. Here are some of the specific ingredients you’ll see.
Lidocaine is a local anaesthetic which soothes pain and itching.
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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.
Best Overall: Doctor Butler’s Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment
Courtesy of Amazon
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Includes herbs and amino acids
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May not be effective for fissures
Who else recommends it? BestReviews and Health.com both picked Doctor Butler’s Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment.
What do buyers say? 81% of 17,300+ Amazon reviewers rated this product 4 stars or above.
We recommend Doctor Butler’s Hemorrhoid & Fissure Ointment and it’s our top overall choice because it treats a variety of symptoms. It contains lidocaine to numb the pain, phenylephrine to shrink the enlarged veins, and a handful of soothing ingredients like aloe vera and horse chestnut to calm itching and inflammation.
We also like that Doctor Butler’s is formulated as an ointment to help moisturize and protect the painful fissures that often occur with hemorrhoids. Plus, the package includes “finger cots” for easy and mess-free applications.
Active Ingredients: Lidocaine USP , Phenylephrine HCl | Dose: Apply to affected area up to three times daily | Uses: Treats hemorrhoids and fissures while offering pain and itching relief
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They Often Get Better On Their Own After A Few Days
Are piles & haemorrhoids the same thing?
The difference between internal & external haemorrhoids
Piles may occur internally or externally.
The symptoms of haemorrhoids
Bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet after passing a stool
A discharge of mucus after a bowel movement
Piles can be embarrassing and some people are hesitant to talk to their pharmacist or GP about them. Theres no need to be self-conscious, however, as medical professionals are accustomed to treating people with this condition.
What causes haemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids In Immunocompromised Patients
In general any intervention or operation should be avoided, or performed with a careful consideration in immunocompromised patients because of an increases risk of anorectal sepsis and poor tissue healing in such cases. A conservative measure is the mainstay for the treatment of hemorrhoids in this group of patients. If required, injection sclerotherapy appeared to be a better and safer alternative to banding and hemorrhoidectomy for treating bleeding hemorrhoids. Antibiotic prophylaxis is always given before performing any intervention, even a minor office-based procedure, due to the possibility of bacteremia.
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What Makes A Hemorrhoid Suppository
Active ingredients included in hemorrhoid suppositories can be natural herbs such as witch hazel or synthetic agents like phenylephrine HCl. Some formulations may combine both types of remedies.
To ensure that hemorrhoid suppositories stay solid before use and melt slowly, the active ingredients are formulated in a base which is the substance also serving as a vehicle for the active ingredients. Cocoa butter is a popular choice for the base in hemorrhoid suppositories.
Hemorrhoids Suppositories are not meant for external hemorrhoids as these medications are developed in a way to work inside the body.
You can use topical creams and ointments for external hemorrhoids.
There are basically three different types of hemorrhoids suppositories available: Vasoconstrictors Analgesics and anesthetics and Laxatives.
Vasoconstrictors work by tightening the blood vessels and reducing the inflammation and pain.
Analgesics and anesthetics also reduce pain.
Laxatives dont work for hemorrhoids directly.
What Medical Treatments Are Available For Haemorrhoids
In a lot of cases, haemorrhoids will go away on their own. However, if they cause you discomfort, you can use over-the-counter creams to soothe haemorrhoids and take warm Epsom salt baths for 15 -20 minutes each day until your symptoms decrease. Diet and lifestyle changes including moving around more and eating more high-fibre foods can also help.
If lifestyle changes, medications and home remedies do not help, and your haemorrhoids are particularly painful or not going away, you may be recommended certain medical treatments or minimally-invasive surgery.
If your haemorrhoids are particularly painful and dont go away, you may be recommended rubber band ligation or infrafred coagulation therapy. Rubber band ligation involves tying the base of an internal haemorrhoid with a rubber band to cut off blood supply.
In recent years, great technological advancements have been made to help treat severe cases of haemorrhoids. We can now offer a revolutionary, effective treatment called the Rafaelo procedure. Rafaelo uses well-established radio frequency technology to help shrink internal haemorrhoids.
One of the huge benefits of Rafaelo is that it is a fifteen-minute walk-in, walk-out day procedure .
Rafaelo also has a high success rate of 90%, which means it can be a one-off treatment with lasting effects.
In some severe cases, Rafaelo may not be able to help and you may need surgery .
Well talk through the best, bespoke treatment for you.
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Screening For People At High Risk Of Bowel Cancer
If youre at high risk of bowel cancer, your doctor may recommend regular screening tests to check for any cancerous changes in your bowel. This might be if you have a strong family history of bowel cancer or a particular health condition, like ulcerative colitis, that puts you at greater risk. If any polyps or areas of concern are spotted during your screening test, you may be able to have surgery to remove them and prevent cancer developing.
If you think you may have an increased risk of getting bowel cancer, ask your GP about screening.
Best Soak: Thena Natural Wellness Organic Sitz Bath Soak
Courtesy of Amazon
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Made with soothing, natural oils
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Safe to use during pregnancy
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May irritate sensitive skin
A sitz bath can be an incredibly soothing treatment for hemorrhoids and postpartum care, with both the warm water and the Epsom salts content working wonders for irritated, delicate skin.
This sitz bath made by Thena, which includes Epsom salts and dead sea salt as well as nourishing coconut and magnesium oils, is both soothing and healing, reducing inflammation while repairing tissue damage. It can be dissolved into a special sitz device or simply blended into a warm bath within your tub.
Active Ingredients: 100% pure natural Epsom salts, 100% pure natural dead sea salt, organic coconut oil, and other natural oils | Dose: 1/2 cup for a sitz bath | Uses: Hemorrhoid relief during a sitz bath
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Offers itch and pain relief
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Can stain clothing
While the first line of defense for most people with hemorrhoids is medicated creams and ointments, pregnant women have to take a pause before running to the pharmacy for an OTC drug.
“The topical hemorrhoidal agents have not been fully assessed for safety in pregnancy,” says Matthew Bechtold, MD, a University of Missouri Health Care gastroenterologist. “Even though it’s unlikely that the ingredients in topical hemorrhoidal agents will harm the third-trimester infant, a discussion needs to be had between you and your obstetrician regarding therapy.”
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