How are Hemorrhoids Treated?

Doctors decide on the best course of treatment for your hemorrhoids after considering your medical history, symptoms and the results from tests like those described in the previous chapter. 
They could advise some dietary and/or lifestyle changes. 
The available treatment options for hemorrhoids include medications and surgery. But, doctors advise surgery only if the size and effects of the hemorrhoids is major. 

Hemorrhoid Treatment Options 

External hemorrhoids may first be subjected to home treatments and some simple self-care techniques. These may include:

• Adopting a high-fiber diet by gradually including more vegetables and fruits in your daily diet.
• Drinking more water.
• Adopting a reasonable exercise regime that probably would include simple exercises like walking and swimming.
• Using simple stool softeners like mild laxatives.
• Application of topical medications. 

Some of these treatment options for external hemorrhoids may help with treating internal hemorrhoids. But, if your hemorrhoids are very severe, you require more intense treatments. 

You should always consult your doctor before even thinking 

about trying any over-the-counter treatments.

A few corticosteroid creams available over-the-counter are claimed to reduce swelling and also the pain from hemorrhoids. 
If you are already on antidepressant medications or suffer from hypertension, cardiovascular disease, urinary infection or diabetes, you should not use topical applications containing ephedrine, epinephrine, or  phenylephrine HCI. 
Some hemorrhoidal creams contain astringents and analgesics that could cause allergies. 
Herbal treatments like butcher's broom, horse chestnut, and Japanese pagoda tree are also claimed by some people to sometimes help with hemorrhoidal pain and discomfort. 

Treatment Options for Severe Hemorrhoids 

Severe hemorrhoids usually require special treatment. These treatment options could be surgical or non-surgical (fixative), or both in combination. 
The main objective of fixative treatment options is to reduce the blood supply to the hemorrhoid so that it shrinks and goes away. Any scar tissue that is left behind may help to support the normal anal tissue and prevents more hemorrhoids from developing. 
Fixative procedures are sometimes very effective in treating small hemorrhoids that may stick out during bowel movements and go back within the anal canal after bowel movements. 
Fixative treatment options are more popular with patients and often advised by doctors.Doctors prescribe such treatments for sick and elderly people with hemorrhoidal problems because they may put less stress on the patient.
Surgical procedures for treating hemorrhoids are used for patients with severe pain or bleeding or those who have not responded to other treatment options. 
The treatment options Include:

Rubberband Ligation 

This is a fixative hemorrhoidal treatment option. Doctors attach a rubber band around the base of your hemorrhoid inside the rectum. The band cuts off blood circulation and this should cause the hemorrhoid to wither away within a few days. In some cases, there could be a recurrence sometime in the next five or more years. Then, a second course of banding may cure the problem. 

Sclerotherapy 

This is also a fixative hemorrhoidal treatment option where your doctor injects a chemical solution near the blood vessels surrounding the hemorrhoid. This causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and fall off.

Cryotherapy 

This is another fixative technique of treating hemorrhoids. Doctors use extreme cold to freeze hemorrhoids, which soon fall off. 

Infrared Coagulation 

This treatment makes use of a special device that burns away hemorrhoidal tissue by the application of heat. 

Hemorrhoidectomy 

This is a fairly rare surgical treatment only used for very severe hemorrhoids or if you have many small internal hemorrhoids. 
This treatment may offer long-term results, but it is usually very expensive and requires a very long recovery time during which the patient can suffer severe pain and feel extremely uncomfortable. There may also be the chance of further complications after this treatment. 

Other Options 

Some believe that lifestyle changes may help to improve your hemorrhoidal problems.
Some of these changes include: 

• Wearing fairly loose cotton undergarments.
• Applying a cotton swab dipped in witch hazel to get relief from hemorrhoidal pain. Always check with your doctor before considering applying anything to your hemorrhoids.
• Using more comfortable seats, so that you do not apply more pressure on and around the affected region. 
• Sitting in a warm Sitz bath for fifteen minutes once or twice a day 
• Using ointments that prevent or reduce itching 
• Regular cleaning of the anal region with a mild, unscented soap and water, especially after bowel movements.

(The Complete Guide To Hemorrhoids)