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By Hemorrhoid.com | July 15, 2024
Did you know about 39% of patients getting routine colorectal cancer checks have hemorrhoids, but 55% feel no symptoms1? Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the lower rectum and can cause considerable discomfort and pain1. Learning about the different ways to treat hemorrhoids is essential for relief. Treatments range from simple home remedies and lifestyle changes to medical and surgical options. The best treatment depends on how severe your symptoms are. It’s crucial to see a healthcare provider skilled in proctology for the right diagnosis and treatment plan21.
Hemorrhoids are a common issue, affecting 1 in 20 people in the U.S3. People over 50 often feel their effects. They are swollen veins, inside or outside the rectum. The main cause? Too much pressure in the rectum and anus veins.
Many things increase pressure, leading to hemorrhoids. Straining during bowel movements is a top cause4. Sitting too long, especially on the toilet, also strains these veins4. Chronic constipation or diarrhea makes it worse4. Pregnancy adds pressure too, making it a common trigger43.
Then, there’s lifestyle. Being overweight or not active enough can be risky3. If your family has a history of hemorrhoids, you might too3. Growing older is another factor. Over time, rectal and anal vein support weakens43.
Doctors diagnose hemorrhoids by examining you. They may feel the area with their fingers. Or, they use tools like an anoscope to get a better look inside. This is key to figuring out the right treatment.
If other health issues or cancer risks are concerns, a longer test like a colonoscopy may be needed. This helps doctors create an effective treatment plan.
Home treatments can really help with hemorrhoids and piles. Learning about these simple methods can ease discomfort and control symptoms well.
Eating more fiber is key because it makes stools softer, which reduces strain. Everyone should try to get 20-35 grams of fiber every day. This can come from foods or fiber supplements like psyllium husk powder or5methylcellulose. Drinking lots of water is also critical to keep stools soft.
Prune juice, a gentle laxative, can help with bowel movements5. Making changes like these is essential in getting on top of and preventing hemorrhoids6.
There are over-the-counter creams or wipes with lidocaine or witch hazel. They can be used up to four times a day to lessen pain and itching from external hemorrhoids5. Natural remedies like coconut oil and aloe vera are also popular for their calming effects, even though there’s not much scientific proof of their effectiveness6.
Taking sitz baths, especially with Epsom salt, for 20 minutes after bowel movements is another recommended way to comfort hemorrhoid pain7.
Using oral pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease temporary hemorrhoid pain. Hemorrhoidal suppositories are another option. They can be inserted into the rectum to reduce discomfort and swelling when necessary5.
For ongoing symptoms, a combination of micronized purified flavonoid fraction and an ointment with witch hazel and herbal extracts can significantly lessen pain, itching, and swelling6. Regularly exercising, such as brisk walking for 20-30 minutes a day, prevents hemorrhoids by stopping constipation5.
When conservative treatments don’t work, minimally invasive methods can help. These approaches cause less pain and need less time to recover from.
Rubber band ligation is a top choice for treating hemorrhoids. It tightens tiny bands around the hemorrhoid to cut off its blood flow. This makes the hemorrhoid shrink and fall off. About half of people over 50 face hemorrhoids, making ligation common8. A review on non-surgical hemorrhoid treatments mentions its success in some cases9.
Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution into the hemorrhoid to make it smaller. Coagulation uses laser or infrared to harden and reduce internal hemorrhoids10. These methods have been proven effective, especially with a new way of using infrared via endoscopy9. Changing your lifestyle can help avoid new hemorrhoids. Yet, they might come back, and sclerotherapy can be a good fix10.
Other techniques, like stapled haemorrhoidopexy, work well for moderate hemorrhoids9. Treatments such as sclerotherapy offer symptom relief with minimal issues and faster healing8. Check here for more on non-invasive hemorrhoid.
Laser hemorrhoidoplasty is new but with less risk and pain, it ensures a quick return to normal activities10. Picking the right hemorrhoid treatment, like rubber band ligation, leads to better comfort and health.
For severe hemorrhoids or stubborn symptoms, surgery might be needed. These procedures work well but have risks and recovery periods.
A hemorrhoidectomy removes problematic hemorrhoidal tissues under anesthesia. Recovery usually takes about 2 weeks, but sometimes up to 6 weeks11. It’s best for grade 3 or 4 hemorrhoids. About 3 out of 100 people might see regrowth in a year12.
Risks include bleeding, infection, and reactions to anesthesia. Damage to the anal sphincter can lead to fecal incontinence11. Symptoms typically improve in 1–2 weeks with a healthy lifestyle and exercise13.
Hemorrhoid stapling cuts off blood to the hemorrhoid, leading to faster recovery than traditional surgery11. It’s meant for internal hemorrhoids. About 9 out of 100 may have regrowth within a year12. Though there’s often less pain afterward, the risk of recurrence is higher13.
| Procedure | Grades Treated | Recovery Time | Complications |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hemorrhoidectomy | 3-4 | 2 to 6 weeks | Bleeding, infection, fecal incontinence |
| Stapling (PPH) | 3 | 1 to 2 weeks | Recurrence, less pain but potential for higher regrowth |
Talking to healthcare providers about hemorrhoid treatment options is key. With various approaches like hemorrhoid stapling and hemorrhoidectomy, finding the right plan is critical for effective relief and management.
Hemorrhoids are a common condition that affects many adults, impacting their life. About 27% of adults have them, based on a 2012 study in the International Journal of Colorectal Disease. Finding effective treatments is vital for relief and management14. Treatments range from simple home remedies to more complex procedures. High-fiber diets and sitz baths are good starting points15. For tougher cases, options like rubber band ligation and sclerotherapy are effective14.
At times, surgery may be the best choice. Research indicates that stapled hemorrhoidopexy has fewer risks than traditional surgery14. It’s important to talk to a doctor, no matter the hemorrhoid severity. Tailoring the treatment can ease symptoms and improve results15.
Resources such as Hemorrhoid.com and products like Revivol-XR offer additional support. They help those suffering from hemorrhoids find the right solutions. It’s always best to get advice from a professional to find the most effective and lasting treatments.
Hemorrhoids mainly come from too much pressure in the anus and rectum veins. This happens due to chronic constipation, hard bowel movements, being overweight, and pregnancy. Eating foods low in fiber also adds to the problem.
To diagnose hemorrhoids, doctors might start with a digital rectal exam. They could also look inside the rectum with special tools like an anoscope. If there’s a chance of other diseases or if there’s a risk of colorectal cancer, more tests like a colonoscopy might be done.
Some easy treatments at home include eating more fiber and drinking plenty of water. Applying over-the-counter creams or pads with witch hazel or hydrocortisone helps too. Warm sitz baths and taking pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen can ease the pain.
There are less intense treatments like rubber band ligation, where small bands are put around the hemorrhoid’s base. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a solution to shrink it. Also, laser or infrared light can be used to effectively treat them.
Surgery might be needed for very bad hemorrhoids or those not getting better with basic treatments. Procedures include removing the hemorrhoid or cutting off its blood supply. These are done for significant bleeding or when it sticks out too much.
Doctors recommend eating lots of fruits, veggies, whole grains, and beans to prevent hemorrhoids. Drinking enough water makes stools softer, which helps avoid too much straining.
Sitz baths mean soaking the anal area in warm water several times a day for 10 to 15 minutes. It’s good for lowering swelling, easing pain, and helping the area heal.
Rubber band ligation is putting tiny bands at the hemorrhoid’s base. This stops the blood flow, making the hemorrhoid shrink and fall off.
Apart from creams with witch hazel or hydrocortisone, there are also topical anesthetics. These numb the area, offering short-term relief.
Even though a hemorrhoidectomy can work well, it has its risks. These include bleeding, infection, and problems from anesthesia. It’s important to talk it over with a doctor before deciding on this surgery.
