Hemorrhoids Treatment

Hemorrhoids are a inflammation of tissue and veins in the rectum and anal canal, sometimes protruding out of the anus.  There are many remedies for treating hemorrhoids and we hope to cover most of them such as natural and herbal remedies, over the counter ointments and surgical procedures.

There are two types of hemorrhoids, internal and external and are further categorized by Doctors depending on the severity of the condition, as follows;

• First Degree Hemorrhoids – Bleeding hemorrhoids.
• Second Degree Hemorrhoids - Hemorrhoids that recede on their own accord.
• Third Degree Hemorrhoids - Hemorrhoids that can be pushed back manually.
• Fourth Degree Hemorrhoids - Hemorrhoids that do not retract or can be pushed back manually.

It is important to follow the main guidelines for preventing hemorrhoids in the first place!

• Avoid sitting for prolonged periods, at home lie on your side instead.
• Avoid sitting at your work station for long period, get up and walk around for a few minutes.
• Increase fibre into your diet to avoid constipation, drink plenty of water and get some exercise.
• Using pre-moistened wipes or medicated wipes instead of toilet paper to keep the area clean.

However due to our hectic lifestyles and sometimes poor diet we do get hemorrhoids that need to be treated effectively to relieve pain, itching and bleeding, and get rid of them altogether.

One of the first things I would try is a Sitz bath, a container filled with warm water covering the hips, if you haven't got a Sitz bath then take a normal warm bath for about 20-30mins to relieve the pain and itching. This will help particularly during pregnancy as some remedies should not be used at this time.

Diet plays a big part in preventing hemorrhoids, increasing the fibre in our diet and drinking plenty of water will help, here are a few ingredients to include in your regular diet;

• Dark green leafy vegetables.
• Fruit.
• Blackstrap molasses.
• Honey.
• Bran Cereals.
• Flax seeds which are high in fiber.
• Lima and butter beans.
• Water.

Herbal and Natural Remedies 

If changing your diet doesn't work, try taking some of these herbal and natural remedies most of these can be bought over the counter, please consult your Doctor before going ahead, to prevent any reaction to allergy or drugs you may already be taking;

• Horse chestnut increases blood flow, strengthen connective tissue, decrease swelling and redness. However, you should avoid horse chestnut if you have kidney or liver ailments of if you are pregnant or breast feeding. It can also prevent prolapse of hemorrhoids. Taken as a supplement.
• Butcher's Broom extract, contains ruscogenins that have anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor effects. This can be taken as a tea - taste is sweetish at first and then slightly acrid.
• Bilberry extract, is a bioflavonoid, taken as a supplement, protects and maintains venous strength and function.
• Witch Hazel when added to glycerin, makes a good ointment used on a pad to help shrink external hemorrhoids and relieve pain and itching.
• Japanese pagoda tree extracts, used as a cream or supplement can relieve pain and swelling.
• Aloe Vera, applied externally on hemorrhoids or drinking aloe Vera juice to reduce swelling and itching.
• Drinking chamomile tea several times a day helps with the function of the bowels.

Medical treatments

• Rubber band ligation are elastic bands placed around the hemorrhoid and cuts off the blood supply, within several days they will be detached and passed during normal bowel motion.
• Hemorrhoidolysis/Galvanic Electrotherapy, desiccation of the hemorrhoid by electrical current.
• Sclerotherapy, sclerosant is injected into hemorrhoids which causes the vein walls to collapse and the hemorrhoid to shrivel.
• Cryosurgery a frozen tip of a cryoprobe is used to destroy hemorrhoidal tissues.
• Laser, infrared or BICAP coagulation cortorizes the effected tissue.
• Hemorrhoidectomy a surgical procedure to remove hemorrhoids.

Diseases with similar symptoms;

• Rectal Cancer.
• Anal Fissure, a tear in the skin near the anus.
• Anal Abscess, local infection caused by bacteria.
• Anal Fistula, is a tiny channel or tract that develops in the presence of inflammation and infection.