What Is The Best Treatment For Internal Hemorrhoids

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The Four Stages Of Internal Hemorrhoids

Overview: Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are an uncomfortable medical condition that is quite common, with some studies indicating that up to 90% of the population will experience the condition in some form during their lifetime. Each particular sufferers case of hemroids is different, however, as the type and severity of hemroids can vary.

There are essentially two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are those hemroids which occur in the anal canal and rectum, while external hemroids occur outside the anal canal, near the anal opening.

Internal Hemorrhoids: The Four Stages

Internal hemroids can be classified by severity into four distinct stages. Effective treatment of internal hemroids will vary according to the severity or stage of the hemorrhoids.

With stage I internal hemorrhoids, the hemroids are still in the interior anal canal and protrusion or prolapse has not occurred. Itching may occur in this stage, and the internal hemroids may actually be mistaken for anal fissures.

When internal hemorrhoids reach stage III, they have all the symptoms of the earlier stages with one notable exception: the prolapsed internal hemroids no longer return to their original position on their own. They must be manipulated back into the anal canal manually. This stage of internal hemroids severity is very painful, and requires almost constant treatment for pain.

Anusol Plus Hc Ointment

Anusol is another heavy hitter in the hemorrhoid department with its main ingredient, Zinc Sulfate Monohydrate.

This ingredient which is heavily used in diaper rash products has proven effective for reducing skin irritation and providing relief from itching and burning.

As a protectant, the zinc will also provide a protective layer over the hemorrhoid.For those with irritated, itching hemorrhoids, Anusol is a great answer and one of the Best for Hemorrhoids in 2018.

Anusol Plus cream has astringent properties and works dually as an anesthetic to help numb the intolerable pain of external and internal hemorrhoids.

Its formula also targets hemorrhoid swelling, and this reduction of the inflamed blood vessels can encourage faster shrinkage and yield a quicker recovery time.

The active ingredient in Anusol Plus is 2.5% hydrocortisone.The inactive ingredients in Anusol Plus are:

• Benzyl alcohol
• Edetate disodium
• Sodium hydroxide

At $14 per tube, Anusol Plus for hemorrhoids is on the higher end of the cost spectrum, but it does rank as Amazonâs choice for hemorrhoid creams. While there are cheaper alternatives when it comes to hemorrhoid creams, Anusol Plus is recommended by doctors and pharmacists alike.

Users attest to the numbing effects of Anusol Plus, making your movement more comfortable and trips to the bathroom more manageable.

Anusol Plusâ formula does set it apart from other over the counter store brand creams for hemorrhoids.

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What Are Internal Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are classified in one of two categories: internal or external hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids are more symptomatic and commonly associated with pain, itching, and discomfort.

Internal hemorrhoids are located deep inside the rectum. They are not visible to the naked eye, and they cannot be felt.

They are known for being painless. The most common sign of internal hemorrhoids is hemorrhoid bleeding, or the presence of rectal bleeding.

Internal hemorrhoids are characterized by various levels of severity. They are separated from grades I-IV, varying from internal hemorrhoids that remain deep inside the rectum to ones that have prolapsed and remain outside of the rectum.

When an internal hemorrhoid protrudes from the anus, considered to be prolapsed, the presence of pain may exist.

Causes And Risk Factors Of Hemorrhoids

You may be more likely to get hemorrhoids if other family members, like your parents, had them.

Pressure building up in your lower rectum can affect blood flow and make the veins there swell. That may happen from:

• Pushing during bowel movements
• Anal sex

People who stand or sit for long stretches of time are at greater risk, too.

You may get them when you have constipation or diarrhea that doesn’t clear up. Coughing, sneezing, and vomiting could make them worse.

Also Check: How To Ease Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

When To See A Physician

If you experience anorectal discomfort of some type , the first thing to consider is that it may be a more serious condition, such as a fissure, abscess, or fistula, or simple anal irritation caused by allergies or incomplete cleansing following a bowel movement. For this reason, it is wise to follow directions on the product labels that advise use for no more than 7 days. If the problem persists for longer than 1 week from the time it began, see a physician to ensure that you do not have a more serious condition.

It is also important to note that rectal bleeding requires an immediate physician appointment. Never assume that rectal bleeding is a minor problem that will disappear on its own. Rather, view it as a cause for alarm that requires an immediate physician appointment to screen you for such problems as colorectal cancer.

Hemorrhoids occur with greater frequency as a person ages. Thus, hemorrhoid products should never be used on anyone under the age of 12 years. If you experience protrusion , you should also see a physician. These are prolapsed internal hemorrhoids that should be checked to see if they require surgical correction.

Less Time In The Bathroom

Johannsson et al reported that patients with hemorrhoids spent more time on the toilet and had to strain harder and more often than controls in the community and hospital.

Garg and Singh and Garg use the mnemonic âTONEâ for appropriate defecation habits:

• Three minutes during defecation

• No straining and no cell phone use during defecation

• Enough fiber.

Also Check: How To Help Poop With Hemorrhoids

How Are Hemorrhoids Diagnosed

Your doctor can tell if you have hemorrhoids by asking about your past health and doing a physical examination.

You may not need many tests at first, especially if you are younger than 50 and your doctor thinks that your rectal bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids. Your doctor may just examine your rectum with a gloved finger. Or your doctor may use a short, lighted scope to look inside the rectum.

Rectal bleeding can be a sign of a more serious problem, such as colon, rectal, or anal cancer. So if the first examination does not show a clear cause of your problems, your doctor may use a lighted scope to look at the lower third of your colon. Or your doctor may use another kind of scope to look at the entire colon to check for other causes of bleeding.

Hemorrhoidal Artery Ligation And Recto Anal Repair

Hemorrhoidal Artery Ligation and Recto Anal Repair is a new procedure in which a miniature Doppler sensor is inserted in the anus to detect the arteries supplying blood to hemorrhoids. The surgeon can pinpoint the arteries supplying the hemorrhoids and can tie them off to cut the blood supply. The hemorrhoids are reduced almost immediately and within weeks, are no longer noticeable. The procedure is effective and virtually painless, but it is not simple.

Mayo Clinic: âHemorrhoids: Diagnosis and treatment.â

Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care: âEnlarged hemorrhoids: What procedures can be done?â

UCSF Center for Colorectal Surgery: âHemorrhoids.â

Albuquerque, A. World Journal of Gastrointestinal Surgery, September 2016.

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How Long Do Internal Hemorrhoids Last

The life expectancy for internal hemorrhoids varies and depends on several factors. Since many internal hemorrhoids go undetected, it is often difficult to determine when internal hemorrhoids may have developed.

Once they are symptomatic, the length of their existence depends on the severity of the hemorrhoid and the method of treatment. For this reason, hemorrhoids can last for a relatively short time period such as a few days or for an extended period of a couple of months.

Grade I hemorrhoids do not move outside of the rectum. Although it is difficult to tell how long they have been in existence, they often resolve quickly .

Grade II internal hemorrhoids protrude out of the rectum, but spontaneously retract on their own. They can be resolved in a week with home remedies or over-the-counter treatments.

Grade III internal hemorrhoids protrude out of the rectum but can be manually pushed back into place. Depending on the method of hemorrhoid treatment, they can last a few weeks to a month, or even more.

Grade IV internal hemorrhoids are the most serious and often require medical treatment or surgery. These remain outside of the rectum. They often require hemorrhoid surgery and can take a month or more to resolve. See a hemorrhoid doctor if you have a grade IV internal hemorrhoid.

Are Your Hemorrhoids Internal External And/or Thrombosed

Some hemorrhoids are internal while others are external .

Also, some hemorrhoids are thrombosed, which means there is a blood clot in the hemorrhoid.

Using a hemorrhoid supplement with a hemorrhoid cream is an excellent way to get long term relief from hemorrhoids.

HemRid Plus is our hemorrhoid supplement that does wonders for hemorrhoids.

Thrombosed hemorrhoids are usually external hemorrhoids and are considered extremely painful. There are also prolapsed hemorrhoids.

Prolapsed hemorrhoids come out of the anus and are either 2nd degree 3rd degree or 4th degree.

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The Only Way To Know With Certainty Is To Ask A Doctor

Whether youre feeling excess tissue around the anus or youre seeing a small amount of blood on the toilet paper, your symptoms may indicate a hemorrhoid problem. If youre still uncertain about whether you should see a doctor about your symptoms read out blog post titled Do I have to see my doctor if my hemorrhoids are bleeding?. Since the only way to know is to call a doctor near you and schedule a consultation, we recommend you search our database for a doctor near you that offers the CRH ORegan treatment. The CRH ORegan System is the only non-invasive, quick procedure designed to treat the source of your symptoms.

Heal Your Hemorrhoids

Using Home Or Herbal Remedies For Internal Hemorrhoids

You can use herbal remedies to treat hemorrhoids. Typical remedies include aloe vera gel, witch hazel, butchers broom extract, dandelion extract, and psyllium. All of these are known to fight hemorrhoids and act as effective primary or secondary medications that treat internal ones. Herbal remedies have reduced side effects. If youre pregnant or suffer from cardiovascular diseases, seek professional advice before trying herbal remedies, since they can cause negative side effects in these situations.

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Symptoms Of Prolapsed Internal Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids prolapse when their blood vessels swell and extend from their location in the rectum through the anus. In the anal canal, the hemorrhoid is exposed to the trauma of passing stool, particularly hard stools associated with constipation. The trauma can cause bleeding and sometimes pain when stool passes.

The presence of

• inflammation, and
• constant moisture

can lead to anal itchiness , and occasionally the constant feeling of needing to have a bowel movement. The prolapsing hemorrhoid usually returns into the anal canal or rectum on its own or can be pushed back inside with a finger, but falls out again with the next bowel movement.

What Is The Best Treatment

Your treatment might change depending on how severe your hemorrhoids are. Hemorrhoids usually go away on their own, but you should seek medical treatment if they begin to bleed or interfere with your life.

Treatments for hemorrhoids include:

• Sitz baths and topical creams. Mild hemorrhoids can be treated with creams and regular baths, along with a high fiber diet. In time, theyll go away on their own.
• Rubber band ligation. This involves cutting off blood-flow to internal hemorrhoids using small rubber bands. Within two days, the hemorrhoidal tissue will die and fall off.
• Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization . This is an outpatient procedure that involves suturing the blood vessel leading to your hemorrhoids.

Many people avoid seeking treatment for hemorrhoids due to embarrassment and the stigma that comes with the condition. However, rectal bleeding should always be taken seriously, and a doctor can diagnose your hemorrhoids and give you the treatment you need.

If you’re suffering from hemorrhoids, you can get in touch with Colon and Rectal Surgeons of Greater Hartford by calling the location closest to you or by booking an appointment online.

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Recommended Reading: How To Treat Chronic Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoidectomy Versus Fixative Procedures For Internal Hemorrhoids

• Fixative procedures are usually tried before surgery if hemorrhoids are small and stick out of the anus during a bowel movement but return to their normal position afterward .
• 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.

What Are External Hemorrhoids

Unlike internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids can usually be seen without examining the rectal canal. They can be diagnosed with a visual exam, and you can examine them yourself using a mirror. They occur under the skin of the anus and can become painful if they thrombose, or form blood clots.

The anus has more pain-sensing nerves than the rectum, so these hemorrhoids might itch, sting, and swell. Bleeding can occur here, as well, so you might find blood on toilet paper or your stool.

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Why Do Hemorrhoids Bleed

Straining or passing a particularly hard stool can damage the surface of a hemorrhoid, causing it to bleed. This can happen with both internal and external hemorrhoids. In some cases, a thrombosed hemorrhoid can burst if it becomes too full, resulting in bleeding.

Blood from a hemorrhoid will look bright red on a piece of toilet paper.

Choosing The Cream Thats Most Effective For You

Weve looked at why hemorrhoid creams work and given you some of the best creams and ointments to try for hemorrhoids.

But how do you choose a cream?

Think first about what your priorities are: is it pain relief, or would you like something to treat your ailment, making it go away?

Speaking to a doctor can be a great idea, or even just consult your pharmacist. Sometimes you may need to try a couple of different hemorrhoid treatments before finding one that works for you and a DIY home remedy often isnt the best treatment approach.

Either way, dont despair there is a cream or ointment that will work wonders for you. Only if nothing else helps you might have to consider surgery and changing your diet to improve bowel movement, to prevent and avoid this condition altogether.

Resources

Also Check: What Can I Do For Itchy Hemorrhoids

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.

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.

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Maximum Strength Cortizone 10 Intensive Healing Formula

Cortizone 10 Healing Formula is enriched with vitamins A, D, and E for maximum skin nourishment, and contains hydrocortisone as an active ingredient, proven to relieve itching caused by even the most stubborn skin conditions.

Maximum Strength Cortizone utilizes hydrocortisone, an ingredient with proven results in itchy skin conditions. But while Cortizone 10 Healing Formula stops the itch, it also heals the damaged and inflamed hemorrhoid tissue for longer lasting results.

When using Cortizone 10 for hemorrhoid treatment, do not put the product into the rectum. This could cause rectal bleeding or worsen your current hemorrhoid symptoms.

Stop the use of Maximum Strength Cortizone 10 if:

If you experience these issues concerning your condition, then do not use other hydrocortisone products until you have consulted with your doctor.

The active ingredient of Maximum Strength Cortizone 10:

• 1% hydrocortisone

The inactive ingredients in Maximum Strength Cortizone 10 include:

• Aloe barbadensis leaf juice
• Sodium lauryl sulfate
• Water

Maximum Strength Cortizone 10 Intensive Healing Formula is one of the top-selling formulas for irritated, itching, and inflamed skin conditions.

It should be noted that this product is used for numerous conditions like poison ivy, sumac, oak, and other rashes.