Tag Archives: Hemorrhoids

It’s a little difficult to discuss, but most of us have, from time to time, lived with the pain of hemorrhoids.  Whether it’s that low-fiber diet, or the difficulty of pregnancy, hemorrhoids can occur for any number of causes.  The best method 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.Excessive straining during bowel movements put pressure on the veins in the colon, leading 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 fix nearly always begins by gradually adding fiber to the diet, and drinking more water.  This results in less need to strain while going.  Symptoms such as itching can be temporarily lessened by over the counter creams.

Some over the counter topicals are just to relieve itching, while others are made to reduce swelling, too.  This is the more popular type, as it does more for the body.

A simple home treatment for the irritation and inflammation is to apply witch hazel several times a day to the hemorrhoid.  Witch hazel is an inexpensive and readily available fix 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 irritating 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 banded with rubber bands or some other material, effectively cutting off the blood supply, and shrinking or eliminating them completely.  Other fixative procedures include eliminating the excess tissue with heat or lasers.  Some offices use electric current to build scar tissue and get rid of the thriving tissue.

If banding and other less invasive treatments are iffective, 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 higher 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, eating 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.