Hemorrhoids are common, don’t usually cause symptoms, and few people need treatment, Dr. Robbins said. People who need treatment can usually be treated without the need for invasive procedures or surgery, she added.
According to Dr. Robbins, treating hemorrhoids may:
Diet and lifestyle This is the main treatment for hemorrhoids. “There is good evidence from the medical literature that increasing fiber intake through diet or fiber supplements is the cornerstone of treatment,” says Dr. Robbins, who recommends aiming for around 30 grams of fiber intake per day. explain. If you don’t get enough fiber from your diet, fiber supplements such as psyllium or methylcellulose can help.
Anal itching is common with hemorrhoids and can be made worse by certain foods, such as spicy foods, coffee, and dairy products. Dr. Robbins advises that temporarily avoiding these foods (while you have hemorrhoids) may help with itching.
sitting bath is a warm water bath that can be taken in a bathtub or sitz bath (a shallow container that fits over a toilet bowl). Experts recommend taking a 10-15 minute sitz bath two to three times a day with water that is warm enough to submerge your anus. Experts also advise using plain warm water to prevent further irritation to the perianal skin, and gently and thoroughly drying the anal area with a towel or a hair dryer on a low setting.
Prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) drugsTopical creams, medicated pads, ointments, and suppositories can all be used to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms.something like a local anesthetic lidocaine Temporarily paralyzing pain and itching. On the other hand, topical steroid creams provide anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects but can only be used for a short period of time (less than 7 days). This is because long-term use of topical steroid creams can cause the skin around the anus to become thinner and atrophy. This makes the skin more fragile and prone to injury, tearing, and infection. Phenylephrine ointment (such as Formulation H) is used to constrict blood vessels and temporarily reduce bleeding and pain during bowel movements. Finally, stool softeners or laxatives may be used to reduce constipation and straining.
Procedures at government offices If the conservative treatments listed above are ineffective, treatments that cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid or use heat or chemicals to shrink the hemorrhoid may be used. These procedures include rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, and infrared coagulation. Dr. Robbins says primary care providers will typically refer patients with mild internal hemorrhoids that persist after six to eight weeks of treatment.
surgery It may be necessary for severe or recurrent hemorrhoids that do not respond to other treatments. The decision to undergo surgery depends on the patient’s symptoms, the size and severity of the hemorrhoid, the level of discomfort, the underlying cause, and any other medical conditions, explains Dr. Robbins. Situations that may require surgery include large or prolapsed hemorrhoids, persistent bleeding, and acute (less than 3 days) thrombosed external hemorrhoids (thrombotic hemorrhoids are blood clots that have formed within the external hemorrhoid). Dr. Robbins said that these include the following: . Initial recovery from hemorrhoidectomy usually takes 2 to 3 weeks. Stool softeners and painkillers are often needed during the recovery period. Full recovery and return to normal activities may take weeks or months. Dr. Robbins says complications after surgery are generally very low.