It’s a little difficult to discuss, but most people have, from time to time, dealt with the embarrasment of hemorrhoids. Whether it’s that low-fiber diet, or the final months of pregnancy, hemorrhoids can manifest for any number of causes. The best way to resolve them is to prevent them from occurring. A diet high in fiber is the most effective way to prevent hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are the name for a swollen vein in the anal canal. Most of the time they are internal, but the swelling can be near enough to the opening of the anus to where they become external. Pressure from straining to have a bowel movement causes pressure on the anal canal veins, and this leads to hemorrhoids. The best hemorrhoid treatments will will aim at reducing strain and therefore reduce swelling.
Cures for hemorrhoids varies widely, depending on each individual case. The primary cure nearly always begins by slowly adding fiber to the diet, and drinking more water. This results in less need to strain while on the toilet. Symptoms such as burning can be temporarily lessened by over the counter topicals.
Some over the counter creams are just to relieve itching, while others are designed to reduce swelling, too. This is the more popular type, as it does more for the body.
One home remedy for ease of itching and external hemorrhoids is the use of witch hazel, applied directly to the affected area several times a day. Witch hazel is an inexpensive and easy to find cure for hemorrhoids causing mild symptoms. It is a natural anti-inflammatory, so it will reduce the inflamation of the hemorrhoids as well as reducing the itching sensation.
For internal hemorrhoids that are persistent, or really extreme external ones, there are fixative medical treatments available. The most common is banding, where the hemorrhoids are tied with rubber bands or some other material, effectively cutting off the blood supply, and shrinking or getting rid of them completely. Other fixative procedures include eliminating the excess tissue with heat or lasers. Some offices use electric current to create scar tissue and eliminate the thriving tissue.
If banding and other less invasive treatments do not work, surgery is also an option. This procedure is called a hemorrhoidectomy. This is a less attractive option, as it is done under general anesthesia and therefore carries a certain level of risk. There is a longer recovery period, but often longer term results.
Regardless of what treatment is chosen to cure hemorrhoids, the follow-up treatment should be prevention of future manifestations. As discussed above, diet changes to include a gradual increase in fiber and an increase in daily water intake are the best way to keep the colon healthy and prevent future developments.
