Content

• To step
• Part 1 of 3: Soothe the pain of hemorrhoids
• Part 2 of 3: Improve your diet and lifestyle
• Part 3 of 3: Treating external hemorrhoids
• Tips
• Warnings

Anyone can get hemorrhoids, no matter how old you are. These uncomfortably enlarged veins are located in or around the anus. Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on the veins in the pelvis and anus that usually results from constipation, diarrhea, or straining to pass the stool. In some cases, hemorrhoids can be caused by being overweight, lifting heavy objects, or the stress of pregnancy, which puts pressure on the veins in the lower abdomen. Fortunately, external hemorrhoids can usually be treated at home and you do not need to be examined by a doctor. There are several things you can do to ease the pain, discomfort, and itching of hemorrhoids.

To step

Part 1 of 3: Soothe the pain of hemorrhoids

1. Take a warm bath. Soaking in warm water can soothe the pain of your hemorrhoids. Take a bath in your bathtub or opt for a sitz bath (a small bowl that fits over the toilet seat so you can soak your anal area in water). Use warm water and add 300 grams of Epsom salt to a full bath and 2-3 tablespoons of salt to the sitz bath. You can take a bath two or three times a day.
   • If you have hemorrhoids, it is important to keep the area clean. Be careful when you shower, bathe, or go to the bathroom. You don't need to use soap as it can irritate the area. You can apply Cetaphil lotion to soothe the area without causing more irritation. Pat dry with a clean towel.
2. Use a compress. To numb the pain, use a cold ice pack or compress. Grab a clean cotton washcloth and soak it in cold water. Put the compress on your hemorrhoid for about 10-15 minutes. You can do this several times a day.
   • If you are using an ice pack, place a cloth between the ice pack and your bare skin. Placing the ice on your skin like this can damage the skin tissue.
3. Use gels and lotions that soothe pain and itching. After soaking the hemorrhoid in water and drying it, apply a small amount of aloe vera gel or anti-itch lotion. Look for a product that contains petroleum jelly, mineral oil, shark liver oil and phenylephrine. Phenylephrine dissolves blockages and helps shrink the hemorrhoid. You can also use aloe vera gel to soothe hemorrhoids.
   • If the hemorrhoids are very painful and feel uncomfortable, apply a little bit of baby dental gel over the area. Dental gel contains a topical anesthetic that can relieve pain and discomfort.
   • Do not use steroid creams as they can damage the delicate skin tissue surrounding a hemorrhoid.
4. Soothe the symptoms of hemorrhoids with an astringent. Grab a cotton pad and soak it in witch hazel. Place the cotton pad on the hemorrhoid after you defecate. Repeat this as needed, at least four or five times a day. You can also put a cotton pad in your underpants to help soothe the pain for longer.
   • Witch hazel can soothe itching, discomfort, irritation and a burning sensation caused by hemorrhoids. It can also reduce swelling.

Part 2 of 3: Improve your diet and lifestyle

1. Eat more fiber. Slowly increase the amount of fiber, increasing the amount a little at a time as fiber can cause gas and bloating. Everyone needs a different amount of fiber based on the calories they take in, but try to eat 25 grams of fiber per day as a woman and 30 grams of fiber per day as a man. Fiber makes your stool softer so that you get rid of it more easily. The different types of fiber all have different effects on your body, so try eating more wheat bran and other cereals. Those fibers make your stool softer.
   • Fiber supplements can reduce bleeding and irritation and inflammation.
   • If you feel bloated and have gas, you are probably eating too much fiber.
   • You can get more fiber by opting for whole grains, fruit with the skin around, leafy greens, beans and legumes.
   • You can also get fiber by eating yogurt with active cultures and probiotics.
2. Eat smaller meals and drink water. Opt for smaller, more nutritious meals and eat throughout your day. This gives your digestive system the ability to digest the food and gives your body the nutrients it needs to heal the hemorrhoid. Drink plenty of water during your day.
   • Moisture softens your stool, making it easier to dispose of.
3. Exercise regularly. Opt for sports and activities that put low strain on your body, such as swimming, dancing, yoga, and walking, but avoid activities that put pressure on your body, such as lifting weights. Low-impact activities have an anti-inflammatory effect on your body, which can help soothe the symptoms of hemorrhoids. It also helps keep your body's systems healthy and your bowels moving.
   • Try pelvic floor muscle exercises.
   • Exercise also puts less pressure on your veins, so your hemorrhoids hurt less.
4. Make sure there is less pressure when you are seated. It may be helpful to purchase a foam cushion or donut cushion to sit on. This can reduce some of the pressure. Do not sit on hard surfaces.
   • Direct pressure on the hemorrhoid can cause the area to swell more and may even cause new hemorrhoids.
5. Go to the bathroom regularly. If possible, try to go to the bathroom at the same time every day without interruptions. If you poop regularly, you will have to push less. Regular defecation is also a good indication of good general health.
   • Do not squeeze or push too hard. Let gravity lend a hand, but let your gut do most of the work. If nothing happens, wait about an hour and try again.
   • It may also help to put your feet on a stool so that your knees are higher than your hips.

Part 3 of 3: Treating external hemorrhoids

1. Choose the right laxative. It is important to get rid of your stool regularly if you have hemorrhoids. Do not squeeze to get rid of your stool, as this often causes hemorrhoids. Instead, opt for a bulk-forming laxative or one that softens your stool and use it occasionally. A bulk-forming laxative can soften your stool and reduce the amount of straining you need to get rid of your stool, which helps shrink the hemorrhoid. Eating fiber should make you poop regularly, but you can choose one of the following laxatives:
   • Bulk-forming laxatives. These contain fiber (usually psyllium fiber) to increase or make stool heavier so that stool moves better through the intestines.
   • Means that soften the stool. These agents soften the stool by adding moisture that should make it easier for you to dispose of your stool. Most of these contain docusate, which is the substance that moistens the stool.
   • Lubricating laxatives. These lubricate the intestinal wall and the anus wall, so that you get rid of your stool more easily. Most of these products contain mineral oil. Lubricating laxatives are generally safe when used for a short time, but are not recommended for long-term use.
   • Avoid stimulant laxatives containing senna, cascara, aloe, and bisacodyl. These agents irritate the lining of the intestines, which is not helpful if you have hemorrhoids.
2. Watch for signs of external hemorrhoids. The most common symptom of external hemorrhoids is bleeding and discomfort when defecating. You may first notice the external hemorrhoids when you wipe after going to the bathroom. A hemorrhoid is a sensitive, swollen area near the anus that is often about the size of a grape in its early stages. A hemorrhoid can also itch and hurt. It is often the case that people see blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.
   • If you are not sure whether you have internal or external hemorrhoids, see what you can feel. You usually cannot feel internal hemorrhoids, but they can protrude through the anus. Internal hemorrhoids usually have few symptoms, other than blood in the stool.
3. Know when to see a doctor. Most external hemorrhoids clear up or shrink within two to three days. Call your doctor if you still have hemorrhoids after three to five days. Also contact your doctor if the area hurts and bleeds. Your doctor can determine whether you have internal or external hemorrhoids by performing a rectal exam.
   • If rectal bleeding is not caused by a hemorrhoid, your doctor will likely order a more extensive examination such as a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy because rectal bleeding is one of the symptoms of colon cancer.
4. Get medical treatment. If simple home treatment doesn't work and the hemorrhoids don't go away on their own, your doctor can order a minimally invasive surgical procedure. Usually this involves, among other things, the following interventions:
   • Ligation. During this procedure, a rubber band is tied around the lower part of the hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply.
   • Injection (sclerotherapy). During this procedure you will receive an injection of a chemical solution to shrink the hemorrhoid.
   • Cauterization. The hemorrhoid is burnt away.
   • Hemorrhoidectomy. During this procedure, the hemorrhoid is surgically removed. This is an outpatient treatment, although you may have to stay overnight in the hospital.

Tips

• Use baby wipes instead of toilet paper to wipe after going to the bathroom.
• You can reduce swelling with an ice pack, but don't overuse the ice pack. Keep the ice pack on the affected area for a maximum of 5-10 minutes.

Warnings

• Stimulant laxatives can be addictive and can also weaken the bowels, causing chronic constipation.