Hemorrhoids Treatment

Also called “piles”, internal hemorrhoids are swollen vascular tissues in the anus and rectum. It’s a common disorder and most people are embarrassed to talk about it. More often than not, hemorrhoids sufferers would rather endure its irritating symptoms than get checked by a doctor. The patient’s deficient knowledge of hemorrhoids is usually the cause for dangerous complications, like anemia, to come about.

Internal hemorrhoids may be caused by straining and pressure in the anus and rectum from constipation, diarrhea, pregnancy, obesity and other predisposing factors like jobs that require sitting or standing for extended periods. Usually an improvement in bowel habits and increased intake of fiber and fluids in the diet can treat this ailment. Otherwise, they will continue to swell or inflame with the trauma of straining and abdominal pressure.

These are initially painless and they don’t normally protrude outside the anus. One of the first symptoms of inflamed hemorrhoids is bright-red blood on the stool during bowel movements. You can visually confirm the blood on the stool or on the tissue after wiping. During defecation, swollen hemorrhoids may be pushed outside the anus and prolapse (slide out) and then retract (pull back) afterwards. Internal hemorrhoids that don’t retract can cause symptoms of pain and itching.

It’s important to have a confirmed diagnosis of internal hemorrhoids from a doctor to exclude other diseases that cause rectal bleeding. Doctors may perform a rectal exam though it might not be conclusive due to the fact that they’re usually soft. At this point, your doctor will use exploratory devices such as an anoscope or a protoscope to confirm their presence.

Treatments depend on the severity of the symptoms. If detected early enough, internal hemorrhoids can simply be treated with personal improvements of healthy bowel habits and proper diet. For mild itchiness or irritation, doctors would recommend creams and ointments together with warm baths to relieve the symptom.

Internal hemorrhoids manifesting acute signs of severe bleeding with intolerable pain and itchiness are treated with infrared light, Barron ligatures, or sclerotherapy. Infrared light therapy on the surface of the hemorrhoids will cut circulation to the small bleeding veins causing them to return to normal size. Barron ligatures or rubber band ligation is performed by placing rubber bands on the base of the hemorrhoids causing them to necrose (or die) and fall off. Sclerotherapy involves injecting chemicals around the inflamed vascular tissues causing them to shrink.

It usually takes a few treatments over a few weeks to completely cure the prolapsing internal hemorrhoids. Typically one to two swollen veins are treated at a time. It’s important to treat all the hemorrhoids to completely stop its symptoms.

It’s important to know how to prevent internal hemorrhoids as well as its recurrence by practicing healthy habits. If you have the urge to defecate, then go. Use stool softeners if bowel movement is causing you to strain and push. Don’t sit or stand for long periods of time. Eat foods high in fiber like fruits, vegetables and grain. Drink plenty of water. And remember to exercise.

As embarrassing as discussing internal hemorrhoids may be, it’s more embarrassing to know that you could have done something about it instead of wishing it to pass. There are many treatments available for hemorrhoids and it’s important to get diagnosed and treated before complications occur. It’s been said many times that an ounce of prevention is worth more than a pound of cure. It’s become a cliché but that doesn’t undermine the fact that it is true.

Tags: health, home cure, treatment, cure, thrombosed hemorrhoids