One of the truths about hemorrhoids is that they are embarrassing. Nobody wants to talk about them and many people feel uncomfortable discussing them even with their doctor. The funny thing about that is that hemorrhoids are very common, with over 50% of the population experiencing them by the age of 5o. If you have questions and want some hemorrhoid help you have come to the right place.
What are hemorrhoids?
The anal canal is filled with blood in order to cushion the movement of stool. Hemorrhoids are when those sacs of blood become irritated and distendended. Some of the symptoms of hemorrhoids include pain and itching for external hemorrhoids, and bleeding for internal ones.
If you think you have hemorrhoids, especially if they are accompanied by rectal bleeding, you should always see your doctor. Some polyps and cancer can present in similar ways and it is important to get those ruled out.
How to help hemorrhoids.
As annoying as they are hemorrhoids are not dangerous, and most respond to home treatment. External or prolapsed internal hemorrhoids are the type that are painful. To treat the pain of hemorrhoids at home there are several simple steps to follow.
- Use cold compresses or ice packs to reduce pain and swelling.
- Soak the affected area in warm water (sitz bath)
- Use over the counter creams and suppositories for immediate relief
- Use bulking agents and stool softeners to make elimination more comfortable.
These four steps should help to relieve the pain and discomfort of hemorrhoids right away.
What helps hemorrhoids that won’t go away.
Unless you are in severe pain or bleeding severely, give your hemorrhoids about a week and follow the above steps to see if they resolve on there own. If they don’t then it is time to see a doctor about other treatments.
It used to be the case that the only help with hemorrhoids you could get from a doctor was a full hemorrhoidectomy done with a scalpel. Treatments have come a long way since then, and there are many options available that are far less painful and have much shorter recovery times.
Some of the options you will want to ask your doctor or surgeon about are laser hemorrhoid surgery, rubber band ligation, freezing of external hemorrhoids, and PPH surgery. All of these are good options to treat difficult and persistent hemorrhoids.
No matter what type of hemorrhoids you have there is hemorrhoid help available. Treat them at home or get them treated, but don’t live in pain and discomfort any longer.
Other Hemorrhoid Information
Filed under Hemorroid Relief by on Oct 27th, 2009. Comment. 