The term "hemorrhoids" is commonly used (albeit improperly) to mean abnormal swelling of the veins in or near the anus. The outer ones are clearly visible, while the inner ones, which are in the anal canal, are typically painless and not seen - you may not even notice that you are suffering from them, unless they are bleeding or your doctor detects them during a physical exam. Internal hemorrhoids are often induced by constipation and can worsen due to some other factor, such as overexertion during bowel movements. In the most serious or persistent cases, the best thing to do is to contact the doctor to receive adequate treatment; however, you should also make dietary and lifestyle changes as part of your treatment. If they cause you pain, you can take pain relievers to relieve discomfort during therapy.
Steps
Method 1 of 3: with Home Remedies
Step 1. Drink lots of water
It is essential to prevent constipation, which is the major cause of hemorrhoids. Make sure you drink about 8 8-ounce glasses of water every day for a total of 2 liters; if you lead a physically active life or still feel thirsty, drink even more.
You can also drink other types of fluids, such as juices, herbal teas, and sparkling water. However, avoid caffeinated drinks and alcohol, as they can dehydrate you and induce constipation
Step 2. Eat more fiber
Taking it in adequate quantities facilitates evacuation, thus helping to treat and prevent hemorrhoids. Aim to consume about 25g of fiber per day; add more fruits, vegetables and whole grains to your diet to increase your daily intake.
If you can't get enough of it with food to meet the recommended intake, you can take it as a supplement to achieve your goal
Step 3. Exercise every day
Exercise stimulates the digestive system by preventing constipation; take a walk or bike ride through the city every day. Even small things, like parking your car farther from the supermarket entrance or taking the stairs instead of taking the elevator, can help keep you more active throughout the day.
Step 4. Don't waste time when you need to go to the bathroom
One way to avoid worsening hemorrhoids is to sit on the toilet when you feel the real need to evacuate; if you hold back the stool, you induce constipation which, as already mentioned, is the main cause of hemorrhoids. Pay attention to your body's signals and go to the bathroom as soon as your body makes you feel the need to flush.
Step 5. Don't make intestinal strain
You could aggravate hemorrhoids, so avoid pushing when you need to evacuate. If you are unable to fulfill your physiological needs and find that you are starting to "push", give up the attempt and try again later.
- Don't spend too much time in the bathroom and try again later; sitting on the toilet for too long can also make the situation worse.
- Instead of sitting down, try to squat down; this position facilitates the passage of stools without making any effort. For this purpose, you can purchase a stool or some other device to make such a position above the toilet easier.
Method 2 of 3: Manage the Pain
Step 1. See your doctor if internal hemorrhoids are causing pain
This is a rather rare event, as there are very few pain receptors within the lower rectum. They usually only cause pain when they prolapse, which is when they come out of the anus, but this is a disorder that can go away on its own or you can intervene yourself by pushing them in. However, if you experience pain with prolapsed hemorrhoids, it typically means you can't push them in and need to see a doctor.
- You may also experience severe itching and irritation.
- If blood clots form in this area, they increase the pressure on the hemorrhoids, causing constant and severe pain.
Step 2. Immerse the anal area in a sitz bath
By soaking the area you can soothe the discomfort due to hemorrhoids; use the sitz bath after evacuating to relieve and cleanse the painful area.
To prepare for the treatment, fill a container with a few centimeters of hot water and add about 100 g of Epsom salt; then immerse your buttocks in the tub for 15-20 minutes
Step 3. Take over-the-counter pain relievers
They can provide relief from the pain that results from this ailment. You can try acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin; read and carefully follow the instructions on the leaflet regarding the dosage.
If you are not sure which type of medication to take to relieve discomfort, ask your doctor for advice
Step 4. Insert a suppository
In the presence of pain, the suppository can help. This type of hemorrhoid treatment can limit its internal volume by releasing the active ingredient directly into the rectum; by reducing its size, pain and discomfort also subside. You can purchase these over-the-counter medicines based on witch hazel and other effective ingredients.
Remember that suppositories are inserted into the anus
Step 5. Sit on a pillow
If you sit on hard surfaces for a long time, hemorrhoids can trigger more intense pain; instead use a pillow or a donut pillow, which relieve the discomfort.
Method 3 of 3: with Medical Treatments
Step 1. Go to the doctor for treatment
One of the main symptoms of hemorrhoids is anal bleeding, although this can also be a sign of colorectal cancer. For this reason, if you are experiencing symptoms of internal hemorrhoids, it is important to get examined as soon as possible. Your doctor will do a physical exam and may refer you to some other imaging tests to rule out cancer. Here are some of the tests he can recommend:
- Colonoscopy: this procedure involves the insertion into the anus of a long flexible tube equipped with a camera at the end (endoscope) that runs through the rectum and intestine capturing images.
- Sigmoidoscopy: uses a camera with a light at the end of a long tube; during the procedure the device captures images in the lower rectum and in the sigmoid colon (the lower part of the colon).
- Barium enema: In this case, a barium enema is performed followed by an x-ray to obtain images of the colon.
Step 2. Learn about elastic hemorrhoid ligation
If the internal ones protrude from the rectum, you can opt for this procedure, in which the doctor puts one or two small elastic bands around the base of the hemorrhoids.
The bandage stops the blood supply causing some discomfort and sometimes even a little bleeding, but after a couple of days the hemorrhoids should spontaneously fall off
Step 3. Discuss sclerotherapy with your doctor
In this case, the doctor injects a solution into the hemorrhoids, causing them to shrink. This is an effective treatment, but not as effective as elastic ligation; the injection can be a little painful, but otherwise it is a painless surgery.
Step 4. Ask for more details about coagulation
This procedure uses infrared light or a laser to treat hemorrhoids, which harden and shrink after exposure; although it is a remedy that can solve the problem, there are more chances of relapse than with elastic ligation.
Step 5. Consider having them surgically removed
If they are large or do not solve the problem with other treatments, surgery may be appropriate. For this purpose, there are two types of procedures:
- Hemorrhoidectomy: The surgeon makes an incision around the base of the hemorrhoids to remove them. Keep in mind that the surgery involves anesthesia and you will not experience any pain; however, the healing process can be a bit painful and prescription pain relievers may need to be taken to manage post-operative pain.
- Staple hemorrhoidectomy: In this case, the surgeon uses staples to block blood flow in the hemorrhoid. it is a less painful procedure and involves a quicker convalescence than the standard operation, but it carries a greater risk of recurrence and prolapse of the rectum (i.e. a part of the rectum coming out of the anus).
