Hemorrhoids can be a painful experience for the millions of people that suffer from them. They are blood vessels found in the anal canal. Conditions such as constipation, straining bowel movements or pregnancy can increase pressure within the blood vessels and lead to swelling. Inflamed, protruding hemorrhoidal tissues are commonly known as piles. Piles are not usually a serious risk to health, but can cause itching, irritation or pain.
Hemorrhoids are present in everyone, but they can swell and become inflamed and that is when people begin experiencing symptoms. These are sometimes also known as piles and they are tissues that exist in the anal cavity containing groups of blood vessels. It is estimated that around half of all people will have experienced hemorrhoids by the time they are in their fifties.
Piles can be caused by many different things such as being constipated and straining to go to the toilet, pregnancy, obesity, anal intercourse and some medical conditions. You can either have internal or external hemorrhoids – these are judged depending on the place in the anus that it begins.
There are a few possible symptoms of hemorrhoids that you may notice. One of the most common is pain upon going to the bathroom and blood present on the toilet paper. You may also notice itching and irritation around the anal area or something like a varicose vein sticking out externally. Piles is not a dangerous condition and it may even go away by itself, however, if it continues to be a problem you ought to seek help from your doctor in treating hemorrhoids. There are some conditions that also have bleeding anally as a symptom and you should rule these out.
The first treatments that you will be offered either by the doctor or by the pharmacist are creams or suppositories that basically numb the area with an anesthetic and offer anti-inflammatory and anti-itching ingredients. These are usually very effective at treating hemorrhoids by relieving the common symptoms, but do not help to heal them. After a while the hemorrhoids can often disappear by themselves.
For others that find the problem lasts for a long time or the intensity is too much, there are some surgical procedures that your doctor might recommend for treating hemorrhoids. A procedure to surgically remove the hemorrhoids is called a hemorrhoidectomy and there is another treatment that is used for external piles called rubber band ligation during which a type of rubber band is put around the tissue and cuts off circulation, which makes the hemorrhoid fall off.
There are natural ways of treating hemorrhoids that should be tried first. These involve using an ice pack on the area to reduce inflammation and swelling as well as increasing the amount of fiber in your diet. If you need to you can purchase fiber supplements to help. You can also up your water intake and try going to the bathroom in a squatting position. It is also important for your digestion to do regular exercise.
Treating hemorrhoids is not particularly difficult and it might even be that the problem might go away by itself. If you have been suffering the problem for a while you should ensure that you visit your doctor to have them correctly diagnosed and for them to suggest an appropriate course of action.
Six Ways of Treating Hemorrhoids
There are several simple methods sufferers can use to help relieve their discomfort and improve their rate of recovery.
Increase fiber intake
Dietary fiber helps to decrease pressure on anal blood vessels by softening stools and promoting easy bowel movements. Switch to whole grain breads, cereals and snacks. Eat a daily salad containing raw vegetables. Leave the edible peels on fruits and vegetables such as apples, pears, potatoes, carrots and cucumbers. Substitute whole fruits for fruit juice.
Drink plenty of water
Dehydration is a major cause of constipation, which can aggravate the symptoms associated with piles. Avoid beverages containing diuretics such as caffeine and alcohol. These act to remove water from the body, leading to harder, denser stools. Stay well hydrated with eight glasses a day of water or herbal tea.
Avoid sitting for long periods
Sitting down adds to pressure on your anal blood vessels, which can increase the pain of piles and slow their healing. If you work sitting behind a desk or behind the wheel, get up and walk around whenever possible. An inflatable ring cushion or rubber donut can help to relieve discomfort if you must remain seated for long periods.
Take a sitz bath
Soaking the affected area in warm water can help alleviate the discomfort of piles and help to decrease inflammation of blood vessels. Sit in a shallow bath for 10-20 minutes with your knees raised. Add more hot water if the bath becomes cool. For maximum relief, take a sitz bath in the morning, afternoon and evening.
Apply Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a liquid astringent sold in most pharmacies. It causes blood vessels to shrink and contract. It is especially recommended for cases where piles result in anal bleeding. To reduce irritation following a bowel movement, soak baby wipes in witch hazel and use these instead of paper toilet tissue. For instant relief, chill a bottle of witch hazel in the freezer and apply the cold liquid using a cotton ball.
Use a topical cream
There are many over-the-counter medications available to help relieve the soreness and irritation associated with piles. To relieve pain, use a product containing phenylephrine. This ingredient works to constrict blood vessels and can temporarily reduce swelling. For effective relief from itching, use a cream containing hydrocortisone.
In most cases, external piles will get better within ten days and do not require professional treatment. Seek immediate medical help in the case of heavy or continuous rectal bleeding. Also see a doctor if you are experiencing extreme pain. This may indicate that a blood clot has formed inside a hemorrhoid. Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids that cannot be pushed back into the rectum will not heal themselves and need medical attention.
