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By Hemorrhoid.com | July 19, 2024
A study on routine colorectal cancer screenings found that 39% of patients had hemorrhoids. Surprisingly, more than half of them had no symptoms1. It’s important to know how to manage hemorrhoid pain. Effective treatments can greatly improve your life.
Many people with hemorrhoids don’t need surgery. Simple home remedies, like eating more fiber, using creams, and taking warm baths help. Most of the time, these methods work within a week2.
If home remedies don’t help, you can try over-the-counter drugs like Revivol-XR. They ease anal discomfort. For tough cases, there are also options like minimally invasive procedures or surgery2.
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins in your lower rectum and anus. They often result from increased pressure in the anal canal. This pressure can come from various sources like straining during bowel movements, long-term diarrhea, being overweight, pregnancy, eating a low-fiber diet, and certain health issues. As we get older, the veins in the anal region weaken and stretch. This makes older people more likely to get hemorrhoids34.
There are a number of reasons why hemorrhoids might develop:
It’s key to know the symptoms of hemorrhoids to get the right treatment early. The signs include:
Knowing about these causes and symptoms helps in finding better treatments for hemorrhoids. This can help to ease the pain and improve your life. For more information, check out Revivol-XR and Hemorrhoid.com.
Discovering effective home remedies can significantly improve hemorrhoid symptoms and comfort. A balanced approach is key, involving diet, soothing baths, and targeted treatments.
Eating more fiber is key to managing and preventing hemorrhoids. Fiber makes stools softer and easier to pass, cutting down on strain. Foods like whole grains, beans, fruits, and greens are great choices6. Drinking lots of water helps fiber do its job and keeps bowel movements regular6.
A sitz bath can offer swift relief from hemorrhoid discomfort. Soaking in warm water for 15-20 minutes a few times daily lessens inflammation and calms irritation7. This remedy increases blood flow, boosting the healing process.
Topical treatments like over-the-counter creams and ointments provide quick symptom relief7. Look for ingredients like hydrocortisone and witch hazel, which fight pain, itching, and swelling effectively8. Aloe vera gel can also soothe and heal the anal region6.
Over-the-counter remedies can really help with hemorrhoid discomfort. They’re easy to find and can make a big difference in reducing pain, swelling, and irritation.
If you’re dealing with external hemorrhoids, ANUSOL Plus Hemorrhoidal Ointment comes highly recommended by Dr. Kantsevoy9. Applying over-the-counter ointments and creams up to four times daily can soften your symptoms10. Preparation H Soothing Relief Anti-Itch Cream, with 1% hydrocortisone, helps control itching9.
But remember, don’t use hydrocortisone creams for more than a week without a doctor’s say-so10. Wipes or creams with lidocaine or witch hazel can also ease pain and itch safely10.
Suppositories are great for easing internal hemorrhoid discomfort. They help with swelling and make bowel movements less painful. Fleet Laxative Glycerin Suppositories, for example, keep stools soft and prevent problems with internal hemorrhoids from getting worse9.
Hemorrhoidal suppositories go into the rectum and bring relief from discomfort and swelling10. For new moms, Motherlove Postpartum Rhoid Balm is a gentle, effective choice for quick hemorrhoid symptom relief9.
NSAIDs, available over the counter, can lessen the pain and inflammation caused by hemorrhoids. Using ice packs several times a day for 5 to 10 minutes also helps with swelling and pain10. Avoid sitting on hard surfaces to prevent making the pain and swelling worse10.
Eating 20-35 grams of fiber daily and drinking plenty of water softens your stool and avoids constipation1011. The right combination of ointments, suppositories, and pain relievers can really improve life for those battling hemorrhoids.
Minimally invasive procedures are gaining popularity as effective methods for hemorrhoid pain treatment. They offer quicker recovery times and less discomfort compared to traditional surgery.
One of the most common minimally invasive procedures is rubber band ligation. A tiny rubber band is placed around the hemorrhoid’s base. This stops its blood supply, causing it to fall off within a week12. It’s mainly used for grade 1, 2, and sometimes grade 3 internal hemorrhoids12.
Sclerotherapy treats mainly grade 1 and occasionally grade 2 hemorrhoids12. It involves injecting a solution into the hemorrhoid, causing it to shrink and disappear. Research shows that 5% phenol in almond oil and aluminum potassium sulfate with tannic acid work well for grade 3 hemorrhoids13.
Coagulation therapies, like laser hemorrhoidoplasty and infrared coagulation, harden and shrink hemorrhoidal tissue. Laser hemorrhoidoplasty is favored for its fewer risks and quick recovery14. Infrared coagulation is very effective for internal hemorrhoids grade 1 and 212.
Minimally invasive procedures usually happen in a doctor’s office, letting patients go home the same day. These methods heal quickly and are less painful than surgery. For deep insights, check out this study on non-surgical treatments13.
For those with severe hemorrhoids, surgical options may be necessary if other treatments don’t work. Hemorrhoidectomy and stapled hemorrhoidopexy are top surgical choices. They help provide relief for complex hemorrhoid cases.
Hemorrhoidectomy is for removing excess hemorrhoid tissue. It’s suggested for patients with grade 3 or grade 4 hemorrhoids when other methods have failed15. While effective, it might cause pain, bleeding, and urination issues. There’s a small chance of hemorrhoids coming back within a year15.
Stapled hemorrhoidopexy treats grade 3 hemorrhoids15. It involves a special device to move and remove excess tissue. This method generally leads to less pain after surgery. However, there’s a slightly higher risk of hemorrhoids returning within a year15.
Despite potential risks like pain and bleeding, these surgeries offer big benefits for severe hemorrhoid cases. Talking with a healthcare provider can help pick the best surgical option. For more info, the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons has useful advice and details16.
For treating hemorrhoid pain at home, try high-fiber diets, sitz baths, and pain relievers. Topical treatments can also help. If these don’t work, procedures like rubber band ligation or surgery might be needed.
Hemorrhoids happen due to increased pressure in the anal canal. This is often due to straining during bowel movements, chronic diarrhea, and obesity. Pregnancy and eating a low-fiber diet can also cause them.
The symptoms can include bleeding without pain, itching in the anal area, and protruding tissue. There might also be pain if external hemorrhoids are involved.
Eating more fiber makes stools softer, reducing strain during bowel movements. This can help ease the discomfort. Add fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet for better results.
Soaking in warm water with a sitz bath soothes irritated skin and reduces inflammation. It’s a good way to get temporary relief from hemorrhoid pain.
You can find creams and ointments over the counter that treat hemorrhoid pain. They contain ingredients like hydrocortisone or witch hazel, which help relieve pain and itching.
Anesthetic and hydrocortisone creams are good for reducing pain, swelling, and itching. But, be aware of possible side effects such as redness and skin irritation.
Suppositories target internal hemorrhoids by delivering medication right to them. This helps ease bleeding and discomfort, making them quite effective for internal symptoms.
NSAIDs like ibuprofen are useful for reducing pain and inflammation caused by hemorrhoids. They’re a good option for managing discomfort.
This procedure puts rubber bands around a hemorrhoid’s base, cutting off its blood flow. The hemorrhoid then shrinks and falls off. It’s a simple, less invasive treatment.
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into the hemorrhoid to make it shrink. Doctors often perform this minor procedure in their offices.
Coagulation therapies use special light to harden and reduce hemorrhoids. They offer a less painful alternative to surgery and are done on an outpatient basis.
Hemorrhoidectomy is a surgery for serious or long-lasting hemorrhoids, removing excess tissue. Though highly effective, it has risks like infection and requires recovery time.
This surgery is mainly for internal hemorrhoids. It staples the prolapsed hemorrhoidal tissue back, which helps in the long run. However, it carries infection risks.
