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By Hemorrhoid.com | July 18, 2024
Did you know that more than half of people with hemorrhoids don’t feel symptoms, making it quietly common1? External hemorrhoids are when veins in the anal area swell. This can cause a lot of discomfort and pain for those who do feel symptoms. Luckily, there are many treatment options available. These range from home remedies to medical help, offering quick relief for hemorrhoid sufferers.
It’s important to know about treatment options if you’re dealing with external hemorrhoids. Often, hemorrhoid symptoms can go away within a week with the right home care and treatments2. But, for harder cases, more serious steps may be needed. This can include procedures like surgery or less invasive treatments to get lasting relief. Rubber band ligation is one such procedure that is both common and not too uncomfortable2. Also, for very serious or repeated hemorrhoids, surgical removal or hemorrhoidectomy is the best treatment method2.
External hemorrhoids are swollen veins under the skin around the anus. These veins can cause medical worries when inflamed, showing as painful bumps.
Those with external hemorrhoids may notice sore bumps near the anus. They might experience itching, discomfort, and bleeding with bowel movements. Sitting can be especially painful for them4.
Many factors lead to hemorrhoids. Straining during toilet visits and sitting too long are big reasons5. Other causes are chronic diarrhea, constipation, being overweight, pregnancy, and heavy lifting5. Not eating enough fiber can also raise the risk5. If parents have hemorrhoids, their children might be more likely to get them too4.
To diagnose hemorrhoids accurately, doctors use various methods. They check the area with a digital exam and tools like anoscopes or sigmoidoscopes. A colonoscopy might be needed for a deeper look, especially to check for internal hemorrhoids5.
As hemorrhoid.com suggests, drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water daily helps keep stools soft. This can stop hemorrhoids from forming5. Eating plenty of fiber-rich foods like fruits, veggies, and whole grains also helps lower the risk. For more information, please visit hemorrhoid.com.
Mild cases of external hemorrhoids can get better with home treatments. These options are easy to do and can really help.
Eating more fiber helps a lot because it makes stool softer and you strain less. This can prevent hemorrhoids. Foods like fruits, veggies, or fiber supplements like psyllium husk are good choices. Aim for 20-35 grams of fiber every day6.
Don’t forget to drink plenty of water too. It helps make going to the bathroom easier6.
Creams with hydrocortisone and witch hazel pads can lessen pain and itching. You can use these up to four times a day without worrying about side effects6.
Suppositories are another option. They go in the rectum and can reduce pain and swelling6.
Soaking in a sitz bath can soothe and lessen irritation. Try sitting in warm water for 15-20 min a few times each day to help.
For pain, you can take acetaminophen or ibuprofen. They work well for hemorrhoid discomfort. Also, sitting on a soft cushion instead of hard surfaces can make a big difference6.
If things don’t get better in a week, though, it’s a good idea to see a doctor6.
Herbal remedies like aloe vera and witch hazel can ease hemorrhoid symptoms. A study in 2020 showed that combining certain medications with witch hazel lessened pain, itching, and swelling7.
Getting regular exercise, like a brisk 20-30 minute walk daily, can also prevent constipation. This helps in reducing hemorrhoid risks and severity6.
About one in 20 Americans will deal with hemorrhoids at some time. This is according to the NIDDK8. They usually get better on their own in about a week7. But these home care tips can speed up healing and improve comfort.
Treating external hemorrhoids involves using over-the-counter (OTC) options, prescription meds, and advanced treatments like Revivol-XR. This mix helps ease discomfort and stops the condition from getting worse.
OTC remedies are the starting point in fighting external hemorrhoids. You can find ointments and suppositories with ingredients like hydrocortisone and lidocaine. These products help reduce itching, burning, and swelling.
Doctors typically suggest trying OTC products for about a week9. If symptoms don’t improve or if you notice side effects like dry skin or a rash, it’s important to see a doctor9. Sitz baths and taking fiber supplements are helpful home treatments10.
When OTC treatments aren’t enough, you might need prescription medication. Prescriptions may include hydrocortisone, pramoxine, or nitroglycerin. Examples are Analpram, Pramasone, and Mezparox10. Always follow your healthcare provider’s advice when using these.
Prescription drugs are sorted into pregnancy categories (A, B, C, D, X, N) according to their risk to the fetus11. Some are also controlled substances because they could be misused, but they have medical uses too11.
Products like Revivol-XR are the result of the latest advances in medical science. They offer new ways to deal with tough hemorrhoid symptoms. Use them under a healthcare professional’s advice for the best results.
Usually, internal hemorrhoids that fall out (prolapse) get better on their own. Yet, serious cases might need doctor treatments at outpatient centers, like surgery or stapling9. Office procedures such as rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, and electrocoagulation are good for tougher situations109.
| Medication Type | Description | Common Brands |
|---|---|---|
| Hemorrhoid Ointments | Topical treatments for reducing swelling and discomfort. | Preparation H, Tucks |
| Hemorrhoid Suppositories | Medications inserted into the rectum for internal relief. | Preparation H Suppositories |
| Prescription Medications | Stronger treatments for severe symptoms. | Analpram, Pramasone, Mezparox |
| Advanced Treatments | Innovative solutions for persistent symptoms. | Revivol-XR |
When medications don’t work, minimally invasive procedures can help. They are usually done in one day and often work well.
Rubber band ligation uses a tight band around the hemorrhoid’s base. This stops its blood supply. The hemorrhoid then dies and falls off in about a week. This method causes little pain and lets people get back to work quickly12. Often, more than one treatment is needed for the best results12.
Infrared coagulation (IRC) uses a laser or infrared light. It burns the hemorrhoid, making it shrink and go away. This approach is great because it’s not invasive and recovery is fast13. Newly developed tools for this treatment are showing good outcomes in studies14.
Sclerotherapy treats hemorrhoids by injecting them with a special solution. It’s a simple outpatient procedure, often mentioned in medical studies14. More recent techniques like cap-assisted endoscopic sclerotherapy and ALTA injections are showing positive results too14.
| Treatment Method | Description | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rubber Band Ligation | Placement of a rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid | Minimal pain, quick recovery | Multiple sessions may be required |
| Infrared Coagulation | Use of infrared light to cauterize the hemorrhoid | Non-invasive, rapid recovery | Potential need for endoscopic modalities |
| Sclerotherapy | Injection of a solution into the hemorrhoid | Outpatient procedure, effective | Multiple sessions might be needed |
People with severe external hemorrhoids often think about surgery. This is if other treatments haven’t worked. A common choice is hemorrhoidectomy. This means removing the problem tissue. Most of the time, it’s safe and works well15. It usually takes 2 to 3 weeks to recover. Sometimes, recovery can take up to 6 weeks15.
Another option is hemorrhoid stapling, or stapled hemorrhoidopexy. This method cuts off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid. It heals faster and hurts less than a hemorrhoidectomy15. It’s best for patients with grade 3 or 4 hemorrhoids. These don’t get better with simpler treatments16. Even though there’s a chance hemorrhoids might return, stapling usually results in less pain afterward16.
Having surgery for hemorrhoids can lead to issues. These include pain, bleeding, infections, trouble peeing, anal stenosis, or losing control of bowels16. That’s why it’s so important to think carefully about your options. Always get help right away if you bleed a lot, can’t pee or poop, or get a fever15. To learn more, check out Cleveland Clinic’s detailed guide on this topic.
There are less harsh surgeries too. Like rubber band ligation and infrared coagulation treatments. With rubber band ligation, the hemorrhoid often falls off in about a week15. It’s a good pick for grades I and II hemorrhoids, and some grade III17. Yet, there’s a chance of hemorrhoids coming back in about 9% of cases within a year16. For more, see this WebMD article.
Infrared coagulation usually has few side effects and is less painful15. But, electric coagulation can make going to the bathroom painful15. Knowing the pros and cons is key to a good decision.
For those dealing with external hemorrhoids, many treatments are available. These range from easy home remedies to more complex medical treatments. The best treatment often depends on how severe the symptoms are and how well the first treatments work.
Trying home remedies is usually the first step in treating hemorrhoid symptoms. Changing what you eat and using topical treatments can help a lot. Sits baths and over-the-counter pain relievers can also greatly ease the discomfort.
If home remedies don’t help enough, there are drugs and simple procedures that can be tried. Rubber band ligation, for those with chronic issues, is successful about 85% of the time18. Phlebotonics also show good results in handling symptoms19. With fewer complications, stapled hemorrhoidopexy is better for those considering surgery18. Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization, with a 92% success rate, offers another effective treatment option18.
Preventing hemorrhoids is key. Eating foods high in fiber and not sitting for too long are important. Talking to doctors can help pick the best treatment. For more advice, Hemorrhoid.com provides good information on treatments like Revivol-XR. A mix of home remedies, medications, and medical treatments can give thorough relief.
Effective ways to treat external hemorrhoids include home care tips. You can eat more fiber, use ointments, and take warm baths. There are also OTC meds, small procedures, and surgeries for serious cases. It’s best to talk to a doctor to find what works for you.
External hemorrhoids often cause painful bumps around the anus. They can also make you itch, feel uncomfortable, and bleed when you use the bathroom.
Things like pushing hard during bathroom visits, sitting for too long, being overweight, and pregnancy can cause external hemorrhoids. Eating too little fiber and too much anal pressure play roles too.
Doctors can tell if you have external hemorrhoids by checking you. They might use their fingers or special tools to look more closely. They check how serious it is and if you have internal hemorrhoids too.
To help with external hemorrhoids at home, try eating more fiber. Use creams and witch hazel pads. Sitz baths are good too, as are OTC pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Yes, natural and herbal remedies can ease external hemorrhoids. Aloe vera and witch hazel are good examples. They work well with other treatments to give you relief.
For external hemorrhoids, you can find OTC products like suppositories and ointments. Look for ingredients like hydrocortisone and lidocaine. These can ease the pain and itching for a while.
If hemorrhoid symptoms keep bothering you, there’s Revivol-XR among other advanced medicines. Always use these under a doctor’s watch to make sure they help you right.
Minimally invasive treatments work well for hemorrhoids. Things like rubber band ligation, infrared coagulation, and sclerotherapy are options. They’re quick, don’t need you to stay in the hospital, and work well.
Surgery is an option for tough or returning external hemorrhoids. Procedures like hemorrhoidectomy and stapled hemorrhoidopexy can fix the problem for good. These require some time to recover from, though.
