Often called “piles” in an informal way are the hemorrhoids that cause the anal area to become swollen due to the inflammation and itching of bloated anal tissues. Hemorrhoids are similar to varicose veins in the legs, because the veins that are present in the hemorrhoid infected part of the anus have been inflamed too, sometimes making the condition a very painful one. That’s why many physicians advise patients to undergo a hemorrhoid treatment as soon the occurrence of hemorrhoids is diagnosed and confirmed.
Usually the symptoms that occur are the following: burning, itching, and aching. That’s why, if these symptoms are being noticed there’s a chance that the hemorrhoid has occurred bit by bit, particularly if the patient is experiencing the following: painful bowel movements, constipation, diarrhea or pregnancy. As the saying goes, “Prevention is better than cure,” and so the first treatment of hemorrhoids must be aimed at preventing the situation from getting worse.
Determining what type of hemorrhoids are occurring is also an important thing to do, since the type of medication that will be used is different, depending of on the type. The two general types of hemorrhoids are known as either internal or external. The internal hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum, which makes them hard to identify, unlike the external hemorrhoids that will be visible outside of the anus. The internal hemorrhoid will be more complicated when it protrudes from the anus and, when this occurs it’s called a prolapsed hemorrhoid.
The treatment may vary also depending on the severity of the case. But most of the time the treatment for hemorrhoids can be performed at home as a self-treatment. These are some things that are usually done at home:
A warm Sitz bath is recommended to be performed 2-3 times a day and for 15 minutes each (better to do this after a bowel movement). Here are the steps on how to do a Sitz bath:
· Fill the bathtub with 6-10 inches of water (warm, not hot)
· Add some Epsom salts (found at most drug stores)
· Stir the solution so the salts dissolve
· Sit and soak, careful not to put too much pressure on the hips
· Make sure to thoroughly dry the affected area when done
The diet of a person who has a hemorrhoid should be changed also, since the diet determines much of the pain during bowel movements. Drinking plenty of water and eating lots of leafy green vegetables and whole grain products will surely make the stools softer, which help relieve constipation. In fact, hemorrhoids become worse when associated with constipation.
Though the hemorrhoid self-treatment at home can really help, still the physician knows best and consulting a doctor is a good idea. He can direct you to some medicines to help with the itching and aching. But home treatment is definitely the best way to ensure the problem doesn’t return.