Hemeroid Treatments

Hemeroid treatments varies depending on where your hemeroid is located, what problems your hemeroid is causing, and how serious is your hemeroid. Often, time and the normal process of healing can clear hemeroids with little or no specific treatment.

Hemeroid treatments are also based as per their type: either its internal hemeroids and external hemeroids. Hemeroids which occur during pregnancy can be treated with minor treatments. And usually, hemeroid can be removed by minor operations. But hemeroid surgery is recommended for internal hemeroids with severe pain/bleeding.

Hemeroids are just common disorder and often clear up by themselves or with minimal treatment. And hemeroid treatments are typically as simple and effective, although hemeroid surgery occasionally is necessary. And because hemeroids can mask a more serious disorder and, therefore, must be evaluated and diagnosed properly by a physician. People with hemeroids who work closely with their physician are usually assured a good outcome and relief from this common disorder because of its early hemeroid treatment given to them.

Enumerated below are variations of different hemeroid treatments for you to choose that best suit your condition. These includes:

Herbs

The use of herbs as hemeroid treatment is a time-honored approach to strengthening the body and treating symptoms such hemeroids. Herbs, however, contain active substances that can trigger side effects and interact with other herbs, supplements, or medications. For these reasons, herbs should be taken with care and only under the supervision of a practitioner knowledgeable in the field of herbal medicine. Some remedies that such a practitioner might consider based on clinical experience include:

• Goldenrod ( Solidago virgaurea ) – used topically in traditional herbal medicine to reduce inflammation of hemeroids.
• Gotu kola ( Centella asiatica ) – used for venous insufficiency, pooling of blood in different locations such as the legs.
• Grape seed ( Vitis vinifera ) – used by European folk healers to stop bleeding, inflammation, and pain, such as the kind brought on by hemeroids.
• Roman Chamomile ( Chamaemelum nobile ) - This herb may reduce inflammation associated with hemeroids.
• St. John's Wort ( Hypericum perforatum ) – applied topically, may prove to be beneficial for reducing pain and inflammation from hemeroids.
• Yarrow ( Achillea millefolium ) -- popular in European folk medicine, this herb has traditionally been used to treat wounds and bleeding hemeroids.

Homeopathy

Although very few studies have examined the effectiveness of specific homeopathic therapies, professional homeopaths may consider the following remedies for the hemeroid treatments based on their knowledge and experience. Before prescribing a remedy, homeopaths take into account a person's constitutional type. A constitutional type is defined as a person's physical, emotional, and psychological makeup. An experienced homeopath assesses all of these factors when determining the most appropriate hemeroid treatment for each individual. The following are examples of remedies from which a homeopath might select to treat someone with hemeroids.

• Aesculus for burning hemeroids with a sensation of a lump in anus that feels worse when walking
• Aloe for a sensation of pulsation in the rectum with large, external hemeroids
• Collinsonia for chronic, itchy hemeroids with constipation
• Hamamelis for large bleeding hemeroids with a raw feeling

Home treatment

Most hemeroid symptoms improve dramatically with simple, at-home measures as hemeroid treatment. To avoid occasional flare-ups, try the following.

1. Get more fiber. Add more fiber to your diet from food, a fiber supplement (such as Metamucil, Citrucel, or Fiber Con), or both. Along with adequate fluid, fiber softens stools and makes them easier to pass, reducing pressure on hemeroids. High-fiber foods include broccoli, beans, wheat and oat bran, whole-grain foods, and fresh fruit. Fiber supplements help decrease hemeroidal bleeding, inflammation, and enlargement. They may also reduce irritation from small bits of stool that are trapped around the blood vessels. Some women find that boosting fiber causes bloating or gas. Start slowly, and gradually increase your intake to 25–30 grams of fiber per day. Also, increase your fluid intake.
2. Exercise. Moderate aerobic exercise, such as brisk walking 20–30 minutes a day, can help stimulate bowel function.
3. Take time. When you feel the urge to defecate, go to the bathroom immediately; don’t wait until a more convenient time. Stool can back up, leading to increased pressure and straining. Also, schedule a set time each day, such as after a meal, to sit on the toilet for a few minutes. This can help you establish a regular bowel habit thus avoiding development of hemeroids.
4. Sitz. A sitz bath is a warm water bath for the buttocks and hips (the name comes from the German “sitzen,” meaning “to sit”). It can relieve itching, irritation, and spasms of the sphincter muscle. Pharmacies sell small plastic tubs that fit over a toilet seat, or you can sit in a regular bathtub with a few inches of warm water. Most experts recommend a 20-minute sitz bath after each bowel movement and two or three times a day in addition. Take care to gently pat the anal area dry afterward; do not rub or wipe hard because this will warm if you already have hemeroid. You can also use a hair dryer to dry the area.
5. Seek topical relief. Over-the-counter hemeroid creams containing a local anesthetic can temporarily soothe pain. Creams and suppositories containing hydrocortisone are also effective, but don’t use them for more than a week at a time, because they can cause the skin to atrophy. Witch hazel wipes (Tucks) are soothing and have no harmful effects. A small ice pack placed against the anal area for a few minutes can also help reduce pain and swelling of your hemeroid. Finally, sitting on a cushion rather than a hard surface helps reduce the swelling of existing hemeroids and prevents the formation of new ones.
6. Treat the clot. When an external hemeroid forms a blood clot, the pain can be excruciating. If the clot has been present for longer than two days, apply home treatments for the symptoms while waiting for it to go away on its own. If the clot is more recent, the hemeroid can be surgically removed or the clot withdrawn from the vein in a minor office procedure performed by a surgeon.
   

However, some hemeroids can’t be managed with conservative hemeroid treatments alone, either because symptoms persist or because an internal hemeroid has prolapsed. Fortunately, a number of minimally invasive hemeroid treatments are available that are less painful than traditional hemeroid removal (hemeroidectomy) and allow a quicker recovery. These procedures are generally performed in a surgeon’s office or as outpatient surgery in a hospital.

> Band it. The most commonly used hemeroid procedure in the United States is rubber band ligation, in which a small elastic band is placed around the base of a hemeroid . The band causes the hemeroid to shrink and the surrounding tissue to scar as it heals, holding the hemeroid in place. It takes two to four procedures, done six to eight weeks apart, to completely eliminate the hemeroid. Complications, which are rare, include mild pain or tightness (usually relieved with a sitz bath), bleeding, and infection. Other office procedures include laser or infrared coagulation, sclerotherapy, and cryosurgery. They all work on the same principle as rubber band ligation but are not quite as effective in preventing recurrence. Side effects and recurrence vary with the procedure, so consult your physician about what’s best for your situation.

> Hemeroidectomy. You may need surgery if you have large protruding hemeroids, persistently symptomatic external hemeroids, or internal hemeroids that return despite rubber band ligation. In a traditional hemeroidectomy, a narrow incision is made around both external and internal hemeroid tissue and the offending blood vessels are removed. This procedure cures 95% of cases and has a low complication rate — plus a well-deserved reputation for being painful. The procedure doesn’t involve an overnight hospital stay, but it does require general anesthesia, and most patients need narcotic analgesics afterward. Patients can usually return to work after 7–10 days. Despite the drawbacks, many people are pleased to have a definitive solution to their hemeroids.

> Staples. A newer alternative to traditional hemeroidectomy is called stapled hemeroidopexy. This procedure treats bleeding or prolapsed internal hemeroids. The surgeon uses a stapling device to anchor the hemeroids in their normal position. Like traditional hemeroid removal, stapled hemeroidopexy is performed under general anesthesia as day surgery, but it’s less painful and recovery is quicker. It’s more painful than rubber band ligation and has more minor side effects, but it only needs to be done once; the hemeroids are also much less likely to return. Research is now under way comparing stapled hemeroidopexy with rubber band ligation and hemeroidectomy as a first-line treatment for internal hemeroids.

And finally, it is said that precaution is the best treatment for any disease. Therefore, you must take precautions to avoid occurrence of hemeroid. Though, hemeroid is not serious in nature still it can give you pain and make you uncomfortable. And it is necessary to take action on its early symptoms because early diagnostic and timely hemeroid treatments can give you relief from hemeroids.