How to Treat Hemorrhoids

An estimated 1 in 20 Americans has hemorrhoids, and yet it is something that many people feel awkward about when discussing. Some people simply do not like to discuss medical issues at all, but it is best to learn what you can about medical concerns like this so that you are better equipped to understand how to treat hemorrhoids and make yourself feel better.

How to Treat Hemorrhoids

There are a variety of ways to treat hemorrhoids if you develop this issue. Different people have different preferences as far as what kind of treatment options they feel comfortable with. Most would prefer to start with the methods that are least invasive and then move on from there. You might consider a few of the following options for tackling your hemorrhoids:

– Lifestyle changes

– Home remedies

– Medications

– Medical Procedures

We will dive into each of these options in greater detail in a moment. The important thing to remember is that there are a variety of different ways to attack the issue. Certain options may or may not be applicable depending on the extent of your hemorrhoids. Always speak with your doctor about which treatment options make the most sense in your case.

Types of Hemorrhoids

Different people suffer from different types of hemorrhoids. The types of hemorrhoids that you might have to contend with are as follows:

– Internal Hemorrhoids – This type of hemorrhoid is painless for the sufferer, but they tend to bleed, and this can be embarrassing and challenging to deal with.

– Prolapsed Hemorrhoids – Another form of internal hemorrhoid, this type is more serious and more painful. Those who are struggling with this type of hemorrhoid have had the veins in their anus come out of the body, particularly after using the bathroom. This type of hemorrhoid is bound to be more painful and more serious to deal with.

– External Hemorrhoids – These feel like hard lumps. They are small hemorrhoids under the skin near the anus.

Depending on the specific type of hemorrhoids you are dealing with, different treatment options may be right for you. Once again, this is an excellent reason to speak with your doctor and discuss your options with them. They can perform a full examination of your situation and offer you the best set of options for your situation.

Lifestyle and Dietary Changes

You can make specific lifestyle and dietary changes to help prevent hemorrhoids in the future and reduce the severity of the hemorrhoids that you might already have. A few of the changes that you can make include the following:

– Consume Plenty of Fluids – Everyone should consume at least six to eight glasses of water per day. This helps to keep your stools softened and allows them to pass more easily. There are plenty of other natural benefits to drinking water routinely throughout the day as well. Overall, this is a good lifestyle change to make no matter what.

– Take Fiber Supplements – Your body might not be getting enough fiber, and your body needs this to process nutrients properly. Fortunately, there are fiber supplements that you can take to make yourself start to feel better. This will help your body to process the food that you put into it each day.

– Exercise – Physical activity can help you avoid constipation and additional straining when you go to the bathroom. That can help you avoid having hemorrhoids at all.

– Avoid Long Periods of Sitting – Remaining seated for too long of a period can add pressure to your veins, and that can potentially cause you to end up with hemorrhoids.

Make these changes in your life to significantly reduce the chances that you will develop hemorrhoids in your life.

How to Treat Hemorrhoids: Topical Treatments

You can directly apply topical treatments that you can pick up at any pharmacy to your hemorrhoids. If you do so, you may notice that you can find relief from those hemorrhoids faster than you might have otherwise. Different types of topical treatments are right under different scenarios. Take a look at this list for the best topical treatments for you regardless of your life situation at this time.

Home Remedies

Some individuals need to find immediate relief from their hemorrhoid pain right now even before they can get in to see a doctor. They can use some home remedies that may at least bring them some temporary relief. Here are a few home remedy options:

– Soak in a warm bath

– Use oral pain relief products

– Eat high-fiber foods

You might discover that this allows you to get a little piece of your life back. You can find relief from the symptoms that you might have felt were never going to go away.

Over-the-Counter Products

Your doctor may recommend certain over-the-counter (OTC) medications to help bring you some relief. Some of these OTC options may include ointments, suppositories, creams, or pads. Again, the precise options that you are prescribed will generally come down to what your doctor believes is best for you given the details of your medical situation.

Medical Procedures

Some sufferers may find that their situation with hemorrhoids is much more severe than anything that can be treated via at-home or OTC means. Fortunately, there are medical procedures that one may seek to help curb the impact of hemorrhoids in their life as well. These procedures may include:

– Rubber Band Ligation – Your doctor will place a rubber band or two around an internal hemorrhoid to choke off its access to circulation. The hemorrhoid will generally wither and fall off of your body.

– Injection (sclerotherapy) – You get an injection of a chemical solution from your doctor that is intended to cause the hemorrhoids in your body to shrink. Those who have received this procedure before say that it is painless. However, the only drawback is that it might not be as effective as rubber band ligation.

– Coagulation (infrared, laser, or bipolar) – This high-tech technique uses infrared heat or light to help attack the hemorrhoids that one might have. This procedure may have some side effects of being at least somewhat uncomfortable for the patient.

These procedures can prove effective for patients who have been unable to get the help they need via other methods before. Ask your doctor about these procedures if you feel that you might benefit from them.

Seeking Medical Advice on How to Treat Hemorrhoids

Finally, you might want to know when you should seek professional medical advice from your doctor. If you are asking yourself this question, you are probably already in a place in life where you should have spoken with a doctor about this issue. Your doctor is there to help you and will always keep your medical records and details private. You don’t have to worry about anything you tell your doctor being revealed to anyone that doesn’t need that information.

The sooner you ask your doctor for advice about how to get help for this issue, the sooner you can receive the relief you desire. You deserve that, and you should work on making it happen for yourself.