Hemorrhoids are vascular structures of the anal canal that can dilate externally or internally. They are caused by an increase in pressure on the pelvic and rectal veins due to constipation, diarrhea and difficulty in passing stool. However, they can also be associated with obesity, pregnancy, or lifting heavy objects. The most common symptom is light bleeding that occurs during defecation, but they can also cause itching and pain. It is possible to cure them by using natural treatments, by changing your lifestyle and by applying over-the-counter medications. In any case, it is best to see your doctor if they do not go away or produce severe symptoms.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Using Self-medication
Step 1. Relieve discomfort by taking a warm bath
If you don't want to make a regular one, try a sitz bath, which consists of sitting in a few inches of water. Just add about 280g of Epsom salts to a tub full of water or, if you prefer a sitz bath, pour 2-3 tablespoons. The water should be lukewarm, not too hot. Repeat the treatment 2-3 times a day.
Epsom salts are able to speed up the healing process
Step 2. Apply a warm compress to relieve pain
Take a clean cotton towel and soak it in warm (not hot) water. Apply it directly to the hemorrhoids for about 10-15 minutes. Repeat the treatment 4-5 times a day. It should offer you some relief.
Step 3. Use an astringent substance
You can use a cotton pad soaked in witch hazel water after a fecal bowel movement. Witch hazel water produces an astringent action that can help reduce swelling. Repeat the treatment several times, at least 4-5 per day.
Step 4. Cleanse yourself thoroughly after defecation
After a bowel movement, be sure to clean yourself thoroughly to avoid irritation. Try using baby wipes or wet toilet paper instead of classic paper.
Step 5. Apply a cold pack
It may help reduce swelling from hemorrhoids, but don't leave it on for too long. Limit its use to a maximum of 5-10 minutes at a time.
Step 6. Sit on a pillow
Get a latex or donut-shaped foam pillow. It will help to partially relieve the pressure exerted on the hemorrhoids. Even if it has no healing effects, it is still able to calm the discomfort and allow you to live better with the problem.
Keep in mind that hemorrhoids are caused by excessive pressure on the blood vessels in the pelvic and rectal area
Part 2 of 4: Making Lifestyle Changes
Step 1. Avoid straining yourself during defecation
Gravity can be a good ally, but it's the gut that does most of the work. If nothing happens, wait about an hour and try again. In any case, you do not have to force yourself if the intestinal transit does not occur spontaneously.
Step 2. Maintain good hydration
Increase your water consumption, drinking at least 8-10 250ml glasses per day. The stool contains a considerable amount of liquids: the more water it contains, the more it softens and passes easily.
Step 3. Increase your fiber intake
The fibers make the fecal mass more moist and voluminous, favoring its transit through the rectum and anus, so in the case of hemorrhoids, the pain decreases. Here are some great sources of fiber.
- Seeds: A handful of chia seeds will ensure you have a sufficient supply of these nutrients;
- Whole grains: brown rice, barley, corn, rye, bulgur, buckwheat and oats;
- Fruit: possibly with peel;
- Vegetables: especially those with leaves, such as cabbage, cabbage, spinach, lettuce, beets;
- Beans and legumes: remember that in some cases they can increase intestinal gas.
Step 4. Avoid laxatives
They can be addictive and also weaken the intestines, promoting the risk of chronic constipation. If you think you need it, try an herbal one.
Senna and psyllium are plant laxatives. Senna softens stools in a gentle way. You can take it in the form of tablets (read the instructions in the package leaflet) or herbal tea in the evening. Alternatively, try a psyllium-based product, a substance that naturally gives bulk to the fecal mass, such as Metamucil
Step 5. Practice regular physical activity
You can opt for aerobic exercise, resistance training, cardiovascular activity, or simple walks. Sport strengthens the heart, increasing the efficiency of the cardiovascular system. In addition, when you move, you activate blood circulation by relieving hemorrhoids (which are basically cushions of vascular tissue caused by a sedentary lifestyle and by the weakening of the cardiovascular system).
Step 6. Go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge
When you feel the need, don't wait. Go as soon as possible, but avoid sitting for too long by straining yourself - this position can increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids.
Step 7. Promote bowel regularity
Try to get your body used to shedding regularly. You should go to the bathroom at the same time every 24 hours, without skipping a day, in order to facilitate intestinal transit. Additionally, bowel regularity appears to be an indicator of overall good health.
Part 3 of 4: Applying Over-the-Counter Treatments
Step 1. Try baby teething gel
This may seem a little strange to you, but if the hemorrhoids are quite painful and bothersome, you can apply a small amount of teething gel to the affected area. This product contains a local antiseptic that can reduce pain and discomfort.
Step 2. Use topical products that relieve pain and itching
Gently wash the anal region with warm water and pat dry carefully. Then apply a small dose of aloe vera gel or an ointment such as Preparation H to relieve the pain and / or discomfort of hemorrhoids. Repeat the treatment every time you feel the need.
- Hemorrhoid ointments, such as Preparation H, usually contain petroleum jelly, mineral oil, shark liver oil, and phenylephrine, which acts as a decongestant and helps shrink hemorrhoids.
- Aloe vera gel contains substances that can block infections and heal wounds of mild severity.
- Avoid steroid-based creams as they can damage the delicate tissues surrounding the hemorrhoids.
Step 3. Take a pain reliever
If discomfort persists, consider taking an over-the-counter pain reliever, such as acetaminophen, aspirin, or ibuprofen. It can make you feel better and also reduce swelling. As always, consult your doctor before taking a new drug to find out if it has any contraindications for your health.
Part 4 of 4: Knowing When to See Your Doctor
Step 1. See your doctor if you have severe pain, excessive bleeding, or persistent hemorrhoids
Typically, hemorrhoids disappear within a week of starting self-medication. If you don't notice any improvement or it comes back after a short time, you should talk to your doctor. Also, if they cause severe pain or excessive bleeding, you probably need further treatment. Don't ignore these symptoms.
Tell your doctor about your symptoms and how you handled the situation
Step 2. Seek immediate treatment in case of weakness, dizziness or lightheadedness
While there is probably nothing to worry about, these symptoms could indicate a more serious condition. So, you should see your doctor to make sure everything is okay. If you need treatment, your doctor will be ready to provide you with it.
Contact your doctor on the same day or go directly to their office. Tell him that the symptoms started with the hemorrhoids
Step 3. See your doctor if you are over 40 and find blood from the rectal-anal tract
Although rectal bleeding is typical of hemorrhoids, it can also be a symptom of anal canal or colon cancer. Don't worry as it is likely that it is simply hemorrhoids. However, it is always best to visit your doctor so that you can get a correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment.
If rectal bleeding is recurring, check for changes in color, texture, and frequency of bowel movements. Since cancer of the anus or colon can cause these kinds of changes, refer your observations to your doctor to help him diagnose
Step 4. Have a visual examination of the anal opening and possibly a digital rectal examination
After considering your symptoms, your doctor may perform a visual examination to check for hemorrhoids. If it's an internal hemorrhoid, he might also do a quick rectal scan by inserting a gloved finger. It will help him make the diagnosis.
- The doctor is able to make a diagnosis based solely on symptoms.
- The visit is not painful, but you may feel a little uncomfortable.
- Although hemorrhoids can cause embarrassment, they are a problem that can affect anyone. The doctor who visits you has probably seen many in the exercise of his profession, so do not feel in trouble.
Step 5. Learn about treatment for more severe cases
If the problem does not go away or is significantly affecting your quality of life, your doctor may recommend that you undergo surgery. In these cases, minimally invasive surgical procedures are used. Here are the most common treatments for severe hemorrhoids:
- Elastic ligation, which consists in inserting a small elastic ring at the base of the hemorrhoid, hindering blood flow;
- Injection of a healing chemical solution capable of regressing hemorrhoids without causing pain;
- Cauterization that heats the tissues affected by hemorrhoids until they die;
- Stapling, which cuts off the blood supply so that the tissue shrinks and is reabsorbed;
- Hemorrhoidectomy, or the surgical removal of large hemorrhoids that affect the performance of daily activities.
