Hemorrhoid Treatment

When the veins around the anus become swollen, it produces a condition known as hemorrhoids. The patient that suffers from the pain and itching associated with that condition normally seeks hemorrhoid treatment. The external hemorrhoid treatments available to such a patient range from simple lifestyle changes to proven medications. They include both home remedies and, when necessary, scheduled surgery. The condition knows as hemorrhoids is a very common issue among more than fifty percent of the world population. It is very treatable without surgery given you are proactive from the start. There are internal and external hemorrhoids and it is important to know the difference and how you can go about making sure you are prepared for both as you get older. A hemorrhoid can become something much more problematic if it is not taken care of properly and thus surgery is almost inevitable.

A hemorrhoid is the result of a swelling of veins around the anus making it difficult for the patient to carry out a simple bowel movement. For that reason, the patient should consider making a few lifestyle changes. He or she needs to eat more fiber. That helps to ease feces out of the anus. He or she needs to drink lots of water, thereby making the feces more pliable, and ready to pass through the inflamed area. They can be caused by several things but heredity and age are two that are not fixable. However sitting for prolonged periods of time can be a factor in hemorrhoid development. This included with sitting on the toilet as well as daily sitting. Alcohol intake also is a factor which dehydrates the body allowing water to be depleted in the system. One needs to get up and take walks to get the blood flow and circulation moving around the anus to prevent the onset of internal hemorrhoids. Consuming large amounts of salt and caffeine will also bring about bleeding hemorrhoids. They tend to burn and itch making it very uncomfortable for the individual.

A person in need of some type of hemorrhoids treatment should avoid getting constipated. To achieve that goal, a patient should do more than eat lots of fiber and drink lots of water. The patient that has the symptoms associated with swollen anal veins must make an effort to get plenty of exercise. Exercise helps to initiate movement of muscles in the digestive tract. This is why larger individuals tend to be at higher risk for vein swelling also known as varicose veins. Obese individuals usually have a larger abdominal region which means they typically have to strain to have a bowel movement. Standing puts pressure on that region and sitting puts stress on the anal cavity. This is why exercise is so important for larger patients. An ounce of Hemorrhoid prevention is worth a pound of cure literally.

Before investing in any over the counter hemorrhoid treatment, the person who is bothered by swollen veins in the area of the anus needs to read the labels on his or her underwear. Are those underclothes made out of cotton? If not then any planned treatment would need to fight the effects of undergarments that were made from an irritating fabric. For the same reason, perfumed toilet paper should be removed from the bathroom of anyone suffering with the symptoms of hemorrhoids.

Once the above lifestyle changes have been incorporated into a patient’s daily routine, then that patient can logically study the list of hemorrhoid treatment options. There are a number of hemorrhoid creams that one can purchase over the counter in the drug store. Before purchasing any such cream, read the label to see what chemicals it contains. A cream that contains corticosteroids has the ability to decrease the swelling and pain associated with hemorrhoids. A cream with lidocaine diminishes only the pain. Preparation H is of course the most popular of all the creams and treatments. It contains Witch Hazel which is the key component in reducing the swelling. Witch Hazel is often given to pregnant mothers after they give birth to help reduce the possible onset of external hemorrhoids typically associated with a lot of pushing during delivery.

There are some home remedies for hemorrhoids. The application of witch hazel is one. Sitz baths are another home remedy that prove to be very useful. You sit in a few inches of water for about twenty minutes and thus it relives the irritated itching hemorrhoids. If not one of the various treatments mentioned above proves effective, then a doctor might suggest a surgical hemorrhoid treatment. That could mean placement of a band around the hemorrhoid, thus cutting off its blood supply. Alternatively, that could mean surgical removal of the hemorrhoid. This will typically happen if one is taken over with internal hemorrhoids. The main thing to remember is do not sit for prolonged periods without getting up every so often. A high intake of fiber and water can go a long way. Avoid excessive weight and alcohol or smoking intake.

Recognizing an internal hemorrhoid can be a problem and not always easy. Blood streaks on your toilet paper, in the toilet or in your underpants is usually a good sign and hopefully not something more serious. A professional should be consulted for sure to further investigate what is going on. A bleeding hemorrhoid is not something to play around with but when it is internal it can be difficult to deal with. Itching is often associated with internal hemorroids. Mucus begins can leak out of the hemorroid causing the anal canal to itch and make things very uncomfortable. Pain can also be an issue if the hemorrhoid becomes strangulated but typically there is not pain unless it begins to come through the anal opening.

You may notice that having a bowel movement is sometimes difficult with an internal hemorrhoid and it is not as easy to go as usual. All of these symptoms can be identified as something more serious such as colon cancer so definitely consult a physician before you write it off as hemorrhoidal.

Rubber band ligation is an in office procedure that a doctor performs on internal hemorrhoids. A rubber band or two is placed at the base of the hemorrhoid cutting off its circulation causing it to fall off in a matter of days. Hemorrhoid banding is a common procedure for an internal hemorrhoid and while it is uncomfortable and may cause bleeding it is the simplest and fastest way to rid of hemorrhoids that are internal.

Coagulation (laser,bipolar and infrared) These procedures work by using infrared heat or laser to cause the internal bleeding hemorrhoid to get hard and shrink. Coagulation is an effective technique but often times the hemorrhoids come back.

Injection (Schlerotherapy) This procedure involves an injection into the hemorrhoid causing the tissue to shrink. There is very little pain with this technique but may be far less effective than rubber band ligation.

If the above techniques do not work then you can always go with the hemorrhoidectomy. This is a procedure whereby the doctor goes in and removes the hemorrhoidal tissue using a number of options. It typically does not require an overnite stay as day surgery is usually all that is needed. However there are complications possible with this type of surgery. Problematic bowel movements can be an issue as well as urinary tract infections are also common. Pain is often associated with this procedure.

Stapling often referred to as stapled hemorrhoidectomy or stapled hemorrhoidopexy is a procedure that blocks the flow of blood to the tissue. This can be effective but not at viable as the hemorrhoidectomy. There is often pain associated with this as part of the rectum can come through the anus called rectal prolapse.

An external hemorrhoid is sometimes a problem that can catch you off guard. A bleeding hemorrhoid can send you into a panic because noone likes to see blood coming from that region. A prolapsed hemorrhoid is problematic if not treated properly. The problem is that a lot of people write them off and dont take action or proper action therefore hemorrhoid surgery is a requirement. Folks this is a treatable condition if taken seriously.

Diet, exercise and hydration are the three most pertinent factors to consider. Smoking is another problem for hemorrhoid sufferers. Smoking is not good for circulation and that is a primary factor in hemorrhoids. Lack of fiber in the diet is a huge problem. Eat lots of fruits and vegetables to get that daily fiber intake up. You may want to supplement with a fiber supplement or psyllium husk to make your bowel movements regular and soft.