Hemorrhoids or piles are clumps of swollen blood vessels in the lower rectum and around the anus. Piles are characterized by symptoms such as itching, pain, a feeling that you’ve not completely emptied your bowels, discharge from the anus, and painless rectal bleeding. These symptoms are very uncomfortable and if you are looking for ways to get rid of these hemorrhoids so that you can finally have peace, then read on.
There are two main types of hemorrhoids and these are internal and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are those inside the rectum while external hemorrhoids are found around the anus.
Another type is a prolapsed hemorrhoid which occurs when an internal hemorrhoid protrudes outside the anus. A thrombosed hemorrhoid, yet another type, is one where a blood clot forms inside either an internal or external hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoids are very common and every 1 in 20 people suffer from the condition. It develops due to various reasons and they include:
There are surgical procedures that are used to remove both internal and external hemorrhoids. Some require that you go under anesthetic while others don’t. The procedures that just cause discomfort and don’t need anesthetic include:
Sclerotherapy
It is done in a doctor’s office and it involves the injection of a chemical into the hemorrhoids to shrink them and stop bleeding.
Banding
This is also done at the doctor’s office where the doctor ties a tight rubber band at the base of a hemorrhoid. This cuts off its blood supply so it dies and falls away.
Coagulation
This procedure uses infrared light, extreme cold, or heat to shrink the hemorrhoid. It is done together with an anoscope which the doctor inserts in the rectum to see the hemorrhoid.
The procedures that are painful and require you to go under anesthesia are as follows:
Hemorrhoidectomy
Hemorrhoidectomy is done on large hemorrhoids that have prolapsed or are not responding to other treatment options. The surgeon may put you on local, regional, or general anesthesia and wait for it to take effect before opening the anus and cutting out the hemorrhoids. The instruments used are surgical scissors, blades, or laser.
Hemorrhoidopexy
Hemorrhoidopexy is also known as stapling and it’s done on prolapsed hemorrhoids. It’s a same-day procedure and the surgeon puts you on local, regional, or general anesthesia. A surgical stapling device is then used to stick the prolapsed hemorrhoid back inside the rectum. This also cuts off its blood supply so it shrinks and its tissue reabsorbed.
After these surgical procedures, the doctor gives you painkillers to help with the pain when the anesthesia wears off.
If your hemorrhoids are relatively small, they can be treated using simple non-surgical methods that can be done at home:
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel can be purchased online or in a drugstore and it’s made from the witch hazel shrub which has anti-inflammatory properties. Applying it directly to the hemorrhoids will help relieve pain and itching as well as helping the inflammation go down.
Sitz Bath with Epsom Salts
Fill a sitz bath or your bathtub with warm water and put Epsom salts in it before sitting in it to soak your anus. This will help soothe the pain and irritation. It will also help with reducing swelling because warm water improves blood circulation.
Aloe Vera
Aloe vera is popularly used to treat skin conditions because of its anti-inflammatory benefits. It can also be used to reduce the pain, irritation, and swelling of hemorrhoids when applied directly.
Cold Compress
Pressing ice on hemorrhoids shrinks the blood vessels inside so swelling, pain, and itching are effectively reduced. Never put ice directly on the hemorrhoids but wrap it in a cloth or towel to avoid cold burns.
Stool Softeners
Taking stool softeners or fiber supplements will soften your stool so that you have an easier time passing it. This will prevent you from developing more hemorrhoids making existing ones worse.
Over-the-counter Medication
You can buy creams or ointments at your local drugstore to treat hemorrhoids. They are made with anti-inflammatory ingredients like hydrocortisone and witch hazel so they help with relieving pain, irritation, and inflammation.
Soothing Wipes
Using ordinary toilet paper may aggravate the symptoms of hemorrhoids so you should use soothing wipes instead. They are made from anti-itch compounds like witch hazel so they will relieve the itching and pain that occurs after passing stool.
H-Hemorrhoids Formula
H-Hemorrhoids Formula is a 100% natural remedy that reduces the symptoms of all kinds of hemorrhoids. It will shrink the hemorrhoids and provide fast relief within moments of applying it.
You have a variety of treatment options to choose from, both surgical and non-surgical methods. Consult your doctor to find out which one will work best for you. Once you start on treatment, you can rest assured you’ll feel better than new in a couple of weeks!
