Treating hemorrhoids at home and when to see a health care provider

There are many effective home remedies and over-the-counter (OTC) treatments that can reduce hemorrhoid symptoms and address the underlying cause.

External hemorrhoids (occurring outside the rectum) tend to cause pain and itching, while internal hemorrhoids (occurring inside the rectum) are usually painless but can cause rectal bleeding.

Treatments include:

• Sitz bath
• high fiber diet
• stool softener
• External medicine
• painkillers

If these measures are ineffective, your health care provider may suggest other options. In some cases, medical treatment may be necessary to resolve hemorrhoids.

This article discusses home remedies, lifestyle measures, and over-the-counter products that can help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. It also describes the types of steps that may be necessary if conservative measures fail to provide relief.

natural therapy

Home remedies are often very effective in managing hemorrhoid discomfort. This includes dietary changes to promote healing and prevent complications by facilitating the passage of stool.

Common treatments include:

sitz bath

A sitz bath involves sitting in a bathtub of warm water for 10 to 20 minutes to reduce itching and irritation. You can add baking soda or Epsom salt to reduce inflammation. You can also apply a mixture of 2 tablespoons each of Epsom salt and glycerin to the painful area and wash it off with a sitz bath after 15 minutes.

Witch hazel

Witch hazel is a natural astringent that reduces minor bleeding and prevents infections. You can dab it on with a cotton ball or add a few tablespoons to your sitz bath.

natural treatment

aloe vera gel, Applying vitamin E oil or coconut oil to the skin can soothe and shrink minor hemorrhoids.

ice therapy

Ice packs reduce inflammation and pain, but should not be used for more than 15 to 20 minutes. Any longer than that can lead to frostbite.

Lifestyle changes

Here are some simple lifestyle measures that can help prevent and treat hemorrhoids.

hygiene precautions

Good hygiene is essential when treating hemorrhoids. After defecating, try using a squeeze bottle filled with warm water to flush your anus. Next, gently wipe the anus with a disposable baby wipe and let it air dry.

high fiber diet

A diet rich in soluble fiber can help relieve constipation and prevent hemorrhoids from coming back. Soluble dietary fiber dissolves in water and becomes gel-like, making stools easier to pass. By softening the stool, rectal pain and bleeding are less likely.

Try to consume 25 to 35 grams of fiber each day to keep your bowel movements regular.

Good sources of insoluble fiber include:

• Beans and legumes
• Dried fruit
• Fresh fruit (but avoid bananas, which can combine)
• Fresh vegetables such as greens, peas, and kidney beans
• Whole grains such as barley, bran, brown rice, and whole grain bread
• prune juice

It is also important to drink plenty of water to increase the effectiveness of the fiber in your diet and to keep your stools soft.

Fiber supplements containing psyllium, methylcellulose, or polycarbophil calcium may also be helpful.

OTC medicines

Over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription medications can help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. Some promote healing by making bowel movements easier. These include oral medications taken by mouth and topical medications applied to the skin.

painkillers

Oral nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as Aleve (naproxen) and Advil (ibuprofen), are very effective in reducing the pain and swelling of mild to moderate hemorrhoids.

topical cream

NSAIDs are an excellent first-line defense against hemorrhoid pain and inflammation. However, if these methods do not provide relief, hemorrhoid creams can be used to aggressively shrink the inflamed tissue.

OTC and prescription options include:

• Preparation-H: This is a popular OTC option, previously made with shark oil, but now formulated with 0.25%. Phenylephrine. Phenylephrine acts as a vasoconstrictor, actively constricting blood vessels.
• hydrocortisone rectal cream: Hydrocortisone, available commercially at 1.0% concentration, is a type of steroid drug that reduces inflammation by moderating the body’s immune response.
• Tribenoside and lidocaine (proctoglibenol): It is an OTC drug available as a suppository or rectal cream. Lidocaine is a local anesthetic that numbs the area, and tribenoside is an anti-inflammatory drug.
• Proctitis ointment: 0.2% combination Glyceryl trinitrate (Nitroglycerin), Rectogesic is available only by prescription and works by relaxing blood vessels beneath the skin’s surface.

stool softener

As the name suggests, stool softeners are over-the-counter products that soften stool and help relieve constipation. They are also commonly known as emollient laxatives.

Stool softeners contain active ingredients docusate sodium And it’s sold under a variety of brand names, including Colace, Correctol, Diocto, Doxinate, Dulcoease, Ex-Lax Stool Softener, Fleet Sof-Lax, Moderne Soft, Phillips’ Stool Softener, and Surfak.

Stool softeners take at least a few days to take effect.

When to seek medical help

Hemorrhoids tend to be worse than anything else and are usually relieved with home remedies and medications.

Contact your health care provider if your hemorrhoids cause rectal bleeding, change in stool color, or persistent or worsening pain.

Complications are rare but can and do occur from time to time. At the same time, other symptoms similar to hemorrhoids can occur and can be serious, such as anal or rectal abscesses and even colorectal cancer.

Type of treatment

If home remedies and medications are not effective in relieving hemorrhoids, minimally invasive medical procedures or surgery may be necessary.

non-surgical treatment

Several minimally invasive, in-office procedures are available to treat larger or more severe hemorrhoids. These include:

• rubber band ligation: In this procedure, a rubber band is placed around the hemorrhoid to block blood flow and cause the hemorrhoid to shrink, usually within a few days.
• sclerotherapy: A sclerosing agent is injected into the hemorrhoid to collapse and shrink the vein.
• infrared coagulation: A powerful infrared beam is used to destroy tissue within the anal canal, cutting off blood flow to internal hemorrhoids.

surgery

Surgery is performed only in the most severe cases, such as hemorrhoids that are clotted (filled with blood) or prolapsed (slipped out of the anal canal).

Surgical options include:

• hemorrhoidectomy: Surgery to remove hemorrhoids using a scalpel. The wound can then be sutured closed or left open to heal on its own.a hemorrhoidectomy It is performed under general anesthesia.
• Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: This is an alternative procedure in which the prolapsed hemorrhoid is stapled back into place with a circular device while cutting off the blood supply. Recovery time will be shorter, but hemorrhoids may return. General or local anesthesia may be used.
• Doppler-guided hemorrhoid ligation: This is a minimally invasive procedure that uses ultrasound to locate arterial blood flow. The blood vessels are then tied and the prolapsed tissue is sutured back into place. General, local, or regional anesthesia may be used.

summary

Hemorrhoids can be treated with home remedies, diet, over-the-counter pain relievers, and topical medications that aggressively shrink inflamed tissue. If these do not work, medical treatment or surgery may be required.