What To Do About Swollen Hemorrhoids

What Causes Internal And External Hemorrhoids And Simple Ways To Treat Them

Hemorrhoids are usually caused by increased pressure due to pregnancy, being overweight, or straining during bowel movements. By midlife, hemorrhoids often become an ongoing complaint. By age 50, about half the population has experienced one or more of the classic symptoms, which include rectal pain, itching, bleeding, and possibly prolapse . Although hemorrhoids are rarely dangerous, they can be a recurrent and painful intrusion. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do about hemorrhoids.

What Are The Treatments For Hemorrhoids

If at-home treatments for hemorrhoids don’t help you, you may need a medical procedure. There are several different procedures that your provider can do in the office. These procedures use different techniques to cause scar tissue to form in the hemorrhoids. This cuts off the blood supply, which usually shrinks the hemorrhoids. In severe cases, you may need surgery.

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.

Also Check: How To Use Hydrocortisone Cream 2.5 For Hemorrhoids

What Are External Hemorrhoids

In their simplest form, external hemorrhoids are bumps or bulges under the skin around the outside of the anus. These bumps and bulges form when too much pressure gets put on the rectal veins, causing the tissue around the anus to become swollen. As time goes on, external hemorrhoids can become more and more irritating, resulting in frequent itching, pain and swelling.

Because external hemorrhoids develop on the outside of the anus, they are often easier to identify than internal hemorrhoids, which are located inside of the anus. Although internal hemorrhoids may prolapse and protrude outside the anus, they can return back inside on their own. Because of this, many people who have internal hemorrhoids think that they have external hemorrhoids. Its best to talk to your doctor to find out which youre experiencing and what treatment option may be right for your hemorrhoids. While external hemorrhoids can be extremely uncomfortable, there are plenty of ways to soothe the symptoms, including at-home solutions and medical procedures. At-home external hemorrhoids treatment options may provide temporary relief. A more definitive treatment like the CRH ORegan System will help get rid of internal hemorrhoids, which can relieve symptoms associated with external hemorrhoids.

Dont Miss: How Long Does It Take To Cure Hemorrhoids

Causes Of Internal Hemorrhoids

In some cases, hemorrhoids can be an unavoidable issue associated with aging.

Hemorrhoids can develop any time there is an extra degree of pressure on the rectum. Some sources of this strain include:

• Constipation and diarrhea: These conditions both put stress on the rectal area, either by straining too much in the case of constipation or by frequent bowel movements in the case of diarrhea. These issues can often be resolved with diet and lifestyle changes but may also be associated with other conditions like IBS and IBD.
• Unhealthy diet: A diet that is high in fat and/or low in fiber can affect our bowel movements, causing constipation or diarrhea. As described above, this can put pressure on the rectum and increase time sitting on the toilet.
• Pregnancy and childbirth: Many women develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy due to the increased pressure on the pelvis that a growing fetus can cause. Straining during childbirth can also result in hemorrhoids.
• Obesity: People who are obese are at a higher risk of developing both internal and external hemorrhoids because of increased pressure around the rectum and because obesity may be associated with poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.
• Long periods of sitting: Regular activity is an important aspect to prevent hemorrhoids and other anorectal health issues. Sitting for long stretches can put undue strain on your rectal area.

Recommended Reading: Do Suppositories Help Heal Hemorrhoids

Read Also: How Can I Treat Hemorrhoids

How Do Healthcare Providers Treat Hemorrhoids

You should see your healthcare provider if symptoms get worse or interfere with your daily life or sleep. Also seek help if signs dont improve after a week of at-home treatments. Your provider may treat hemorrhoids with:

• Rubber band ligation: A small rubber band placed around the base of a hemorrhoid cuts off blood supply to the vein.
• Electrocoagulation: An electric current stops blood flow to a hemorrhoid.
• Infrared coagulation: A small probe inserted into the rectum transmits heat to get rid of the hemorrhoid.
• Sclerotherapy: A chemical injected into the swollen vein destroys hemorrhoid tissue.

Surgical treatments include:

• Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgery removes large external hemorrhoids or prolapsed internal ones.
• Hemorrhoid stapling: A stapling instrument removes an internal hemorrhoid. Or it pulls a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid back inside the anus and holds it there.

Reduce Swelling Hemorrhoids At Home

1. Apple Cider Vinegar:-

This one is a type of vinegar made from apple or cider that has a pale amber color and comes available in every market. This vinegar can be used in order to recover yourself from the hemorrhoid swelling as well and thus I advise you to go and purchase some of this vinegar in order to bring it in use and get relieved from hemorrhoid swelling. You can make one at home searching the recipe on internet.

2. Coconut Oil:-

Massaging your hemorrhoid area with coconut oil can help you a lot in order to get relieved from hemorrhoid swelling. Coconut oil will treat this swelling and will provide added benefit to your hemorrhoid area as well. Coconut oil can be easily obtained from any grocery or retailer store.

3. Aloe Vera:-

ALOE VERA is a desert plant that can be easily grown at your home in a small pot. This plant does not even required to be watered regularly and survives even in the worse conditions. You can use the extract of this plant in order to get relieved from hemorrhoid swelling. You can even use some aayurvedic aloe Vera based product that are available in markets these days to help you combat hemorrhoid swelling.

4. Hemorrhoid Swelling Pills:-

5. Food Rich In Fibers:-

6. Drink More Water:-

You May Like: Which Doctor To See For Hemorrhoids

How To Get Rid Of External Hemorrhoids Fast

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 19 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page. This article has been viewed 200,993 times.

Hemorrhoids can happen to anyone at any age. These uncomfortable enlarged veins can be found inside or externally around the anus. Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on your pelvic and rectal veins, usually linked to constipation, diarrhea, or straining to pass a stool. In some cases, hemorrhoids can be caused by obesity, lifting heavy objects, or from the strain of pregnancy which applies pressure to the veins of the lower abdomen. Fortunately, external hemorrhoids can usually be taken care of without seeing a doctor. There are several things you can do to help relieve the pain, discomfort, and itching of hemorrhoids.

Recommended Reading: How Can You Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids

What Should I Do If A Hemorrhoid Bursts

Its a good idea to see a doctor if a hemorrhoid bursts. It doesnt usually require extensive treatment at that point but its good to have the area checked out to make sure theres nothing more serious going on. A sitz bath is a good idea if youre looking for pain relieve and to prevent infection. The warmth of the sitz bath will also stimulate the area which will help the hemorrhoid heal. Read our blog post all about sitz baths for step-by-step instructions.

You May Like: What Is The Best Thing To Do For Hemorrhoids

Recommended Reading: What To Get For Hemorrhoids

Cold Compresses And Ice Packs

Another way to reduce swelling is to apply cold compresses or ice packs to the anal area. When done in 15 minute increments, ice packs and cold compresses can alleviate swelling. This treatment is particularly effective for larger, bothersome hemorrhoids. Wrap the ice inside a cloth or paper towel, never apply directly to the skin. Cold has been effectively used to treat inflammation of all kinds.

Here Is A Small Sample Of What Youll Learn When You Download Your Copy Of The Hemorrhoid No More System Today: Painful Swollen Hemorrhoids

The proven 5-step multi-dimensional Hemorrhoid No More Anti- Hemorrhoids Success System that has helped thousands of men and women to end the pain, bleeding and discomfort sometimes within days and eliminate all types of Hemorrhoids completely within 8 weeks

Discover EVERYTHING you need to know about Hemorrhoids, EXACTLY what causes your hemorrhoids and their related symptoms

The top eight best anti-Hemorrhoids foods you should eat all the time

The top ten worst foods you should never eat when you have Hemorrhoids

The shocking truth about conventional Hemorrhoids treatments and hemorrhoids surgeries and the medication trap. Discover Why Most Lotions, Ointments and Suppositories Dont Work and how you can finally free yourself and use the natural approach forever

If Youre Increasing Fiber and Water Inatke With No Results, Tty This Amazing Technique Instead

Discover Exactly What To Do If Your Hemorrhoid has Thombrosed Or If Your Hemorrhoid is Internal. This Secret Technique has Worked For Thousands of Sufferers Worldwide

Read Also: How Do You Treat Hemorrhoids At Home

Easy Ways To Add Fiber

The tips below offer some simple ways to add more high-fiber foods to your meals.

• Start your day with a high-fiber breakfast. Eat a wheat bran cereal along with a sliced banana. Or, try peanut butter on whole-wheat toast.

• Eat carrot sticks for snacks. Theyre easy to prepare, taste great, and are low in calories.

• Use whole-grain breads instead of white bread for sandwiches.

• Eat fruits for treats. Try an apple and some raisins instead of a candy bar.

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.

Read Also: How Long Can Hemorrhoids Bleed

How Can I Manage My Symptoms

• Apply ice on your anus for 15 to 20 minutes every hour or as directed. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover it with a towel before you apply it to your anus. Ice helps prevent tissue damage and decreases swelling and pain.
• Take a sitz bath. Fill a bathtub with 4 to 6 inches of warm water. You may also use a sitz bath pan that fits inside a toilet bowl. Sit in the sitz bath for 15 minutes. Do this 3 times a day, and after each bowel movement. The warm water can help decrease pain and swelling.
• Keep your anal area clean. Gently wash the area with warm water daily. Soap may irritate the area. After a bowel movement, wipe with moist towelettes or wet toilet paper. Dry toilet paper can irritate the area.

You May Like: Will Urgent Care Fix Hemorrhoids

Over The Counter Medications For Hemorrhoids

• Brand names listed as examples do not imply better quality over other brands. Generic equivalents may also exist.
• Use only as directed on the package, unless your healthcare provider instructs you to do otherwise.
• OTCs may interact with other medications or be potentially harmful if you have certain medical conditions. Talk to your pharmacist about options that are right for you.

Recommended Reading: How To Treat External Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

What Medications And Other Products Treat Hemorrhoids

Medications are used to control symptoms by softening the stool, decreasing the inflammation of the hemorrhoids, and treating the pain. Stool softeners work by increasing the water and fat content within the stool allowing it to be passed more easily. Docusate sodium is the most often recommended drug in this class .

Inflammation can be controlled with over-the-counter creams or suppositories. Some brand ingredients include low dose topical anesthetics to help with symptoms. Others contain astringents that help shrink the swollen tissues. Both may contain low dose steroids to decrease inflammation. People with diabetes should check with their pharmacist or health care professional before using OTC hemorrhoid treatments. If the medication contains a vasoconstrictor it may elevate blood sugar levels if absorbed in large amounts. Prescription-strength lidocaine or hydrocortisone may be offered by the health care professional.

Grade 2 and 3 hemorrhoids are initially treated the same way, using techniques to destroy hemorrhoids. These include injecting the hemorrhoid vein to make it sclerose or harden, using rubber bands to choke off the blood supply and make the hemorrhoidal tissue shrivel, or other procedures that cause the mucosa to shrivel and die.

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?

Also Check: Do Hemorrhoids Cause Abdominal Pain

Signs Your Hemorrhoids Warrant A Doctor’s Visit

Your doctor may also check for blood in the stool, examine the muscle tone of your anus, and perform a rectal exam to diagnose internal hemorrhoids. This is done in the doctor’s office with a gloved, lubricated finger and an anoscope . Your doctor may also recommend additional tests to rule out other causes of bleeding, especially if you are over age 40.

Hemorrhoids: Symptoms Causes And Treatment

ByIris Tsepublished 4 October 18

Hemorrhoids are cushions made of blood vessels, connective tissue and muscle located on the anal canal. Functioning hemorrhoids help maintain fecal continence and ensure that no liquid escapes through the sphincter at the end of the digestive tract.

All people have hemorrhoidal tissue as part of their normal anatomy, according to the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Only in a minority of people do hemorrhoids become enlarged or otherwise symptomatic.

“We believe the normal function of hemorrhoids is to prevent accidental leakage of stool,” said Dr. Syed Husain, a colorectal surgeon at The Ohio State University Wexner Medical Center. “They are present in everyone, but in some cases they get enlarged, and then they start causing symptoms.”

The exact prevalence of enlarged hemorrhoids is hard to measure because many opt for over-the-counter treatments instead of visiting the doctor. In the United States, about 10 million people 4.4 percent of the population self-report evidence of hemorrhoids each year, while doctors annually identify hemorrhoids in about 2.2 million outpatient evaluations, researchers reported in 2016 in the journal Clinics in Colon and Rectal Surgery. Caucasians suffer from a higher incidence of hemorrhoids than African-Americans, and increased prevalence of hemorrhoids is associated with higher socioeconomic status, doctors wrote in the report.

You May Like: What Foods To Eat If You Have Hemorrhoids

How Do You Know If You Have Hemorrhoids

The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids are:

• Anal pain/painful bowel movements
• Rectal bleeding
• Itchiness
• Swelling around the anus

However, these symptoms could also be a sign of something more serious, like anal cancer or polyps. Hemorrhoids also have many symptoms in common with anal fissures, which occur when the skin around the anus is torn. Anal fissures tend to be much more painful than hemorrhoids, however.

Even if youre fairly certain youre dealing with hemorrhoids, its still a good idea to go see a doctor to rule out any serious conditions, especially if youre over the age of 50.

Causes And Risk Factors

The underlying cause of hemorrhoids that form in the anus or rectum is still a matter of debate. One theory is that it is due to the breakdown of the supporting tissues in the anal canal.

When hemorrhoids are untreated, last for a long time, or are under more physical pressure, they can become prolapsed and protrude out of the anus or rectum.

There are several risk factors for prolapsed hemorrhoids, including:

• Advanced age
• Overuse of anti-diarrhea medications
• Pregnancy

Sometimes, placing something in the anus, such as during sexual activity, or for medical treatment, can also cause pressure, resulting in a prolapsed hemorrhoid.

Also Check: What Should You Do For Bleeding Hemorrhoids