Treating Hemorrhoids
Your Guide to Treating Hemorrhoids
There are several methods for treating hemorrhoids. Some are more effective than others are; some, more invasive. The first step however, in treating hemorrhoids, is admitting that you have them. If you are having pain down in that region during bowel movements, or just when you try to sit down at your desk to get some work done, then it is important you start treating hemorrhoids as a priority. Delaying will not only extend your pain but may complicate your condition.
What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids, also called “piles,” is a medical condition in which the veins inside of the rectum become painfully swollen. In some cases, this may lead to a prolapsing (falling out) of the internal material of the anal cavity, creating a painful semi-blockage of the sphincter.
Internal Versus External Hemorrhoids
The first step in treating hemorrhoids is determining which type a sufferer has. External hemorrhoids are hemorrhoids that pop up outside of the anal cavity. External hemorrhoids tend to be painful and to cause skin irritation. If they develop a blood clot, they can become a thrombosis.
Internal hemorrhoids, on the other hand, occur inside the anal cavity. A patient may develop internal hemorrhoids without becoming conscious of their presence until they prolapse (fall out). Because there are no pain receptors in the anal cavity, these stealth hemorrhoids can go untreated for quite a while. The only symptoms a patient might notice are blood in the stool when the hemorrhoids get overly strained.
Most sufferers first notice internal hemorrhoids when they get pushed down through the rectal passage. Doctors distinguish three levels of severity when this happens. The weakest level of severity is hemorrhoids that recede into the rectum by themselves right after defecation. More severe are the kind of hemorrhoids that the sufferer must push back into the rectum himself. Finally, the worst level of severity occurs when the hemorrhoids get stuck in the prolapsed position and will not go back into the rectum.
Each type of hemorrhoid has different levels of urgency, but all require medical attention if the sufferer wishes to avoid further complication.
Treating Hemorrhoids
Although you can find lots of over the counter medications that claim to help hemorrhoids, medical studies have not shown them to be effective. A topical solution like Preparation H can alleviate some of the discomfort associated with hemorrhoids, but it will not help to get rid of the condition.
Of the less invasive treatments for hemorrhoids, the most common include changes in diet, increased fluid intake and a course of hydrotherapy. The basic idea behind these treatments is to avoid adding strain to the rectal area by either reducing the hardness of the stool or by soothing the internal anal cavity.
There are three main non-medical treatments for hemorrhoids. One of the most common treatments is tying off the hemorrhoid. The physician will strangulate the hemorrhoids by tying a rubber band at their base so that they hang off from the healthy organic matter. Over time, the hemorrhoid will fall off.
There is also a chemical treatment where the physician injects a type of phenol into the hemorrhoids making them collapse and whither. This is a highly effective method working in 2/3 or all sufferers who undergo it.
Finally, a sufferer’s physician may also cauterize the hemorrhoids, killing them through either heat or cold.
In very severe cases of hemorrhoids, however, physicians will surgically remove the hemorrhoids in order to avoid more severe complications. Patients and doctors only really consider this surgical removal as a treatment of last resort, however.
If you have hemorrhoids, there is no reason to go on living with the discomfort. In fact, to avoid the more severe treatments, you should go see a doctor at your first opportunity so that you can have them treated in the least invasive way possible.