Looking for Hemroids Treatment?

Hemroids are swelling ± inflammation of the veins in the anorectal area due to weakness of the venous walls or elevation of the pressure inside the veins usually as a result of excessive straining from constipation.

Hemroids is a common problem affecting 5-10% of the population and up to 50% of the individuals aged more than 50 years.

Hemroids may be one of two types: internal hemroids located inside tha anal canal and characterized by anal bleeding with mild pain, external hemroids located outside the anal canal and appearing as a mass around the anus and characterized by significant anal discomfort, pain and itching.

Hemroids Treatment

If you suffer from hemroids and search for a curative hemroids treatment, then you probably know some of the treatment methods described below. In this page, I am going to discuss briefly how each method exactly works as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each method.

Any effective hemroids treatment should achieve 2 goals:

1. The short term goal is relief of hemroids symptoms, pain, discomfort and bleeding.
2. The long term  goal is inducing shrinkage of the hemroids tissues.

• Local medical treatment

This includes creams, gel and suppositories that are applied directly on the hemroids tissues. These medicines act mainly by their soothing effect which leads to relaxation of the tissues and relief of the pain. The main problem with this type of hemroids treatment  is that the effect is transient and the symptoms will recur once treatment is stopped. Another problem with local medical treatment is the side effects which may occur with prolonged use.

• Local physical treatment

These are non-pharmacological measures used locally with the aim of relieving acute hymroids symptoms as pain and bleeding. These include sitz baths with warm water for 10 mintues several times daily, ice packs to help reduce swelling, and using cottom underwear with loose clothing.

• Herbal hemroids treatment

Herbs have been used for centuries for hemroids treatment with high sucess rate. Examples of recommended herbs are blackberries, cherries, butcher’s broom, horse chestnut, and flavonoids. Recently, some manufacturers have produced commercial products that are composed of several of these herbs combined together to produce a maximal therapeutic effect on hemroids.

• Non-operative and operative procedurs

These procedures are usually indicated in severe cases of hemroids and cases not responding to conservative treatment and include rubber band ligation, injection sclerotherapy, laser and photocoagulation, and hemorrhoidectomy.

• Behavioral changes

These changes are essential for hemroids treatment and especially for hemroids prevention. High-fiber diet is necessary to increase the bulk of stools and prevent constipation and hence straining. High-fiber diet should be combined with high water intake to avoid dehydration. Laxative should be avoided to prevent diarrhea which also leads to increased straining and worsening of hemroids symptoms. Daily exercise will help to develop smooth bowel motions. Correct wrong bowel habits as unnecessary straining, prolonged holding of stools (go to the bathroom once you feel the urge to defecate), prolonged sitting on the toilet.