No Ifs, Ands or Buts: Hemorrhoid Treatment that Works

Hemorrhoids can cause pain, itching, bleeding, and lumps. They may be uncomfortable and annoying, but they typically do not constitute a visit to the Emergency Room. There are several over-the-counter or physician-prescribed treatment options that you can try at home or receive in a doctor’s office. But here are a few options to try first.

Temporary Fixes:

  • Sitz Baths: Soak in warm water
  • Changes in Diet: Eat more fiber
  • Increase Activity Level: Increases circulation to your rectum and promotes normal bowel movements
  • Cleanliness Habits: Wipe your rectum gently and use cold water to wash it after bowel movements, but avoid using soap and wipes containing alcohol, which can irritate the hemorrhoids

Try any of the above to treat your hemorrhoids until you can get to your local drug store or make an appointment with your doctor.

What are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen and enlarged veins that develop near your rectum or anus and cause pain. Hemorrhoids are common, and most of us will experience them at some point in our lives. Do you sit for long periods during the day, such as while you are at work? Do you strain during bowel movements? Are you constipated? Have any infections or liver disease? Are you pregnant or have you given birth recently? Are you overweight? Obese? If you answered ‘yes’ to any of these questions, then you are more likely to suffer from hemorrhoids.

Did you know that there are two types of hemorrhoids? Most people are familiar with those that they can see. However, hemorrhoids can develop inside and outside your rectum.

  • Internal: inside your anus, at the end of your rectum.
  • External: at the end of your anal canal; they may bulge outside of your anus

Fortunately, there are treatment options for hemorrhoids. Some of them work better than others. Ask your doctor for guidance and search the Internet for reviews about specific medications and products.

Types of Treatments

The following are some treatment options for hemorrhoids:

  • Cleanliness Habits: Wipe your rectum gently and use cold water to wash it after bowel movements, but avoid using soap and wipes containing alcohol, which can irritate the hemorrhoids
  • Home Treatments: Utilize the following at home, sitz baths, witch hazel, aloe vera, epsom salts, cold compresses, etc.
  • In-Office Treatments: Non-invasive options include electrical currents, ligation of blood vessels with rubber bands, injecting chemicals, etc.
  • Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgical procedure that removes hemorrhoids; circular stapling device removes or lifts hemorrhoidal tissue and puts it back into anal canal.
  • Medications: Several over-the-counter medications are available at your local drug or big box stores. For example, you have undoubtedly seen commercials promoting some brand for hemorrhoid relief. However, consult your doctor before using over-the-counter medications for hemorrhoids because they may only temporarily relieve the pain and inflammation. Also, some medications make the hemorrhoids even worse or you may be using the wrong medication for your symptoms as other diseases may mimic hemorrhoids.

If you use any of these products or treatments, read the associated instructions and warnings carefully. But just how successful are these treatment options?

Treatment Results

The effectiveness of hemorrhoid treatments depend on various factors, including your lifestyle habits and anatomy. Also, different types of treatment affect the chances of whether your hemorrhoids come back or not.

Unfortunately, hemorrhoids do tend to return and cause pain, bleeding and discomfort, once again. So, you best option is to visit your doctor for treatment to reduce the chance of recurrence.

No matter what treatment option is successful, you should figure out what caused the hemorrhoids in the first place in order to prevent them in the future. Maybe it is your diet? Eat more fiber and stay hydrated. Maybe it is because you sit all day at work? Ask for a stand-up desk. There are some things you can control and change to prevent hemorrhoids from developing or recurring in the future.

Non-Invasive and Invasive: Hemorrhoid Treatments

Several treatment options are available to relieve the pain, bleeding, and other symptoms of hemorrhoids. They may be non-invasive or invasive. They can be done at home or in a physician’s office.