How To Treat External Hemorrhoid Symptoms?
Hemorrhoids are swollen and enlarged anal veins. They seem to be caused by sitting on the toilet too long, straining during bowel movements, and the strain of excess weight.
There are internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids, or prolapsed hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids occur high up in the rectum and typically, the only symptoms you may notice is red blood in the stool or in the toilet. It is when hemorrhoids become prolapsed that they become problematic.
Some prolapsed hemorrhoids will bulge out during a bowel movement and will spontaneously go back into the rectum. Some hemorrhoids prolapsed with a bowel movement and can be pushed back into the rectum. A prolapsed hemorrhoid that cannot be pushed back into the rectum requires surgery. Such severe hemorrhoids may also prolapsed with coughing or sneezing. They could also have chronic mucus type discharge.
If you are lucky and diligent, you’ll be able to treat some hemorrhoids with surgery. The initial recommendation is to increase your fiber intake. This can be done by taking a fiber supplement on a daily basis. Also, increase your intake of water to help keep the stools soft. Take a stool softener, following the manufacturer’s recommendations. When you wipe, don’t use toilet paper. Instead, use a cotton ball or pad pre-moistened with witch hazel. You can buy pre-moistened pads at your local drug store. For itching, you can use any number of over the counter hemorrhoidal preparations.
If the above recommendations don’t work, your doctor may suggest hemorrhoid surgery. Small hemorrhoids can be “banded”; meaning, a rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid. This band stops the blood circulation that feeds the hemorrhoid. The hemorrhoid shrivels and dies. Some surgeons treat hemorrhoids with sclerosing agents, which do the same thing as banding.
Laser coagulation can be performed. With laser coagulation, a small electrical current is applied to the hemorrhoid via a probe. This electrical current causes the blood flow to the hemorrhoid to stop leading to the hemorrhoid to wither away.
With larger hemorrhoids, surgical removal is performed. Usually a local or spinal anesthesia is used. After the hemorrhoid is removed, gauze packing is used to reduce the bleeding. Most times, a four to five day period of “down time” follows the surgery.
Any rectal bleeding should be checked by your physician.
Treat your hemorrhoid symptoms in less than 48 hours. Read how to treat your internal hemorrhoids.
Processing your request, Please wait....
