1. Stop Hemorrhoids Before They Start
If you follow a few tips, you may be able to stop hemorrhoids before they get going. First, it's important to maintain healthy bowel habits by using the bathroom as soon as you have the urge. Also, minimize straining while relieving yourself. In addition, avoid constipation and encourage regular bowel movement to prevent the development of hemorrhoids. You can do this by increasing your fiber consumption, drinking lots fluids and exercising regularly. Finally, adjust your movement throughout the day. Refrain from sitting still for longs periods and avoid lifting heavy objects.
2. Minimize Already Irritated Hemorrhoids
To ease irritated hemorrhoids do sitz baths several times a day, especially after passing stool. Relax in the bath for at least 15 minutes. Once you've finished, carefully dry the anal area. To prevent further irritation of the area, refrain from wiping the area with a toilet paper. Use baby wipes or opt for a bidet, if one is available. Also, stay away from perfume-laden soaps. Minimize discomfort by applying cold packs or ice to the affected area several times a day. Leave the pack on for 10 minutes. Follow up with a warm compress on the area for another 10 minutes. Avoid standing or sitting for extended periods until the irritation has subsided.
3. Creams, Pads and Pills
Doctors often recommend over-the-counter medications, such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen to relieve pain from hemorrhoids. You may also want to try over-the-counter pads containing witch hazel. Also, hemorrhoid cream, containing hydrocortisone, may relieve itching and irritated skin. Purchase lower strength creams over-the-counter or ask your doctor for a stronger cream. Don't use creams for more than two weeks since or you risk causing further irritation.
4. Cut Off the Hemorrhoids Blood Supply
If hemorrhoids don't respond to home remedies or medication, then it may be time for mildly invasive procedures, such as rubber band ligation, injection sclerotherapy or infrared light therapy. During rubber band ligation, the doctor ties rubber bands around the bottom of internal hemorrhoids in order to cut off the blood supply. Injection sclerotherapy involves injecting the hemorrhoid with a chemical that reduces it's size. Finally, infrared light therapy targets the hemorrhoid with infrared light, cutting off its blood supply.
5. At Last, the Hemorrhoidectomy
Surgery is reserved for hemorrhoids that are extremely large or haven't responded to other available therapies. A hemorrhoidectomy is the name of the surgical procedure used to remove hemorrhoids. While hemorrhoidectomy produces the best long-term results, there are disadvantages. A hemorrhoidectomy is a painful procedure and has the added risk of requiring anesthesia. The recovery time from a hemorrhoidectomy is longer than for fixative procedures, such as rubber band ligation. Hemorrhoidectomy isn't a good option for older people or people with compromised immune systems.
