Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Identifying common symptoms
• Part 2 of 3: Know if you are at risk
• Part 3 of 3: Treating hemorrhoids
• Tips
• Warnings

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in the rectum or anus that can cause pain or itching. Although anyone can suffer from hemorrhoids, they mainly occur in women just before and / or right after delivery. Knowing the symptoms and causes of hemorrhoids will likely help you spot them and treat them at home. In severe cases, the hemorrhoids will require professional medical attention. To learn more about hemorrhoids, go to Step 1.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Identifying common symptoms

1. Check for anal itching or pain. This is the most common - and most annoying - symptom people with hemorrhoids have. The swollen blood vessels often secrete mucous membranes that can irritate and itch the skin around the anus. In addition, the area can hurt when walking or sitting.
   • Hemorrhoids can be both internal and external. It is the internal hemorrhoids that cause the itching.
   • Both types of hemorrhoids can cause pain, but sometimes the internal hemorrhoids don't hurt at all.
2. See if the stool hurts. Hemorrhoids can often hurt especially when stool, when pressure is put on the anal and rectal area. In addition to the pain, many people feel the uncomfortable need to have to defecate again immediately after having a bowel movement, even if the bowels have already been emptied completely.
3. Watch for blood. Bright red blood in the toilet or on the toilet paper can indicate that you have internal or external hemorrhoids. Even if you are not in pain or itching, bleeding can occur. Since rectal bleeding is a symptom of many serious illnesses, such as colon cancer and anal cancer, it is important to visit the doctor if you experience persistent rectal bleeding - don't simply attribute it to the hemorrhoids.
4. Watch for nodules. The build-up of blood under the skin can cause thrombosed hemorrhoids - these are clotted hemorrhoids. These nodules are often hard and quite painful. They can occur both inside and outside the rectum.
5. Watch for swelling. External hemorrhoids can cause the anal area to swell and become tender. This can occur simultaneously with the formation of the thrombosis. If your anal area feels swollen or puffy, it may indicate that the hemorrhoids are to blame. Check the risk factors below to see if it is actually hemorrhoids that cause this, or if there is something else.

Part 2 of 3: Know if you are at risk

1. Watch your toilet habits. The main cause of hemorrhoids is straining during a bowel movement. This puts pressure on the blood vessels in the rectum and anus, causing them to swell, hurt or become irritated. If you have irregular bowel movements or difficulty in bowel movements, you are more likely to stray. Think about your toilet habits and determine for yourself whether you run an increased risk of hemorrhoids.
   • Straining can cause internal hemorrhoids to move out through the anus. This is known as bulging hemorrhoids (or prolapse).
2. Check if you have constipation. Constipation makes you feel "constipated", causing many people to squeeze during a bowel movement. If you have trouble staying regular, you can squeeze during bowel movements to get things out of your body faster.
3. See if you sit still for long periods in a row. If you sit all day, you put a lot of pressure on the anal area. This can eventually lead to hemorrhoids. People who drive for many hours in a row, work in the office, or who for any reason do not exercise are at an increased risk of hemorrhoids. Review your daily habits to see if sitting too much is the cause of your hemorrhoids.
4. Be aware of other conditions that can cause hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can also result from other conditions that irritate and / or put pressure on the anal and rectal area. For example, an anal infection can affect the surrounding tissue, causing hemorrhoids to develop.
5. See if your symptoms could be caused by pregnancy. Over-straining means that pregnant women are at an increased risk of hemorrhoids, especially with the impact a baby will have on that area of ​​the body. This is known as a temporary problem and generally does not cause other problems or persistent hemorrhoids after the baby is born.

Part 3 of 3: Treating hemorrhoids

1. Try witch hazel. Witch hazel has astringent properties that can help soothe swelling and irritation of the hemorrhoids. Dab a cotton ball in witch hazel and rub it over the affected area. Let it dry for a while. If you prefer not to use pure witch hazel, you can also purchase a cream containing witch hazel.
2. Try an over-the-counter pain relief cream. There are a number of over-the-counter creams on the market that are quite effective in treating hemorrhoids. So effective, in fact, that people who use them often don't even need to see a doctor. Look for the following types of creams at your pharmacy or drugstore:
   • Corticosteroid creams that can limit itching and swelling.
   • Creams containing lidocaine can help relieve pain.
3. Use a (softening) laxative. Because the bowel movements can often be painful if you have hemorrhoids, a (soothing) laxative may offer a solution. It allows you to defecate without putting extra pressure on the anal and rectal area. The use of a laxative can also counteract the tendency to squeeze too much into the toilet.
4. Avoid scented toilet paper and other irritants. Perfumes, dyes, rough toilet paper, and other irritants can seriously aggravate hemorrhoids. Use soft, white toilet paper or even cotton wool if you are particularly sensitive. Wearing tight pants or tights could also irritate the anal area.
5. Wear loose, cotton underwear. Soft cotton underwear "breathes", allowing air to reach and exit the area. This will prevent the hemorrhoids from becoming more irritated and will not cause them to hurt anymore. Underwear made of synthetic fabrics does not "breathe" as well, so that moisture remains trapped against the body. It goes without saying that tight underwear and thongs will not fit comfortably and can irritate if you have hemorrhoids.
6. Try a sitz bath. This method can relieve the pain and discomfort of the hemorrhoids. Fill the bath (or a basin) with warm water (not hot) and sit in it for 15 minutes. Do not add soap or the like as it can further irritate the hemorrhoids. You can optionally add witch hazel to the water to make the bath even more therapeutic.
7. If necessary, get medical attention. Visit the doctor if your home treatments do not affect the symptoms and the hemorrhoids have not cleared up after a week or so. He / she can determine if you need medical treatment to solve the problem. In most cases, hemorrhoids can be cured at home, but as long as yours persists, there's nothing to make yourself uncomfortable for an unnecessarily long time.
   • In addition, the fact that the hemorrhoids are not going away may indicate an underlying problem. For example, it may be that the bleeding comes from somewhere other than the tip of the rectum or the anus.
   • Heat treatments and surgery are often used to treat severe hemorrhoids.

Tips

• There are a number of home remedies you can use to provide temporary relief. For example, you can add some peppermint oil to the bath, or mix tea tree oil with olive oil and apply to the area.
• It is highly recommended that you seek the professional opinion of a doctor or nurse if you think you have hemorrhoids. They may prescribe medications to soothe the irritation your hemorrhoids cause.

Warnings

• It is a common misunderstanding that hemorrhoids only occur when they are external. They can hide in the anus before protruding, if at all. So if you experience pain or discomfort during a bowel movement, you should take a look yourself or visit a medical professional.