What are the common symptoms of hemorrhoids. How can hemorrhoids be treated at home. When should you seek medical attention for hemorrhoids. What are the available medical treatments for hemorrhoids. How can hemorrhoids be prevented.

Understanding Hemorrhoids: Causes and Risk Factors

Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins in the lower rectum and anus. They can occur internally or externally and are often caused by increased pressure in the lower rectum. Common risk factors include:

• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Straining during bowel movements
• Sitting for prolonged periods on the toilet
• Pregnancy and childbirth
• Obesity
• Heavy lifting
• Aging

Are hemorrhoids a sign of a more serious condition? In most cases, hemorrhoids are not indicative of a severe underlying issue. However, rectal bleeding should always be evaluated by a healthcare professional to rule out other potential causes, such as colorectal cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.

Recognizing Hemorrhoid Symptoms: When to Be Concerned

Hemorrhoid symptoms can range from mild discomfort to more severe pain. Common signs include:

• Bright red blood after bowel movements
• Itching or irritation around the anus
• Pain or discomfort during bowel movements
• Swelling around the anus
• A lump near the anus, which may be sensitive or painful
• Leakage of feces

Can hemorrhoids cause systemic symptoms like fever or nausea? While hemorrhoids themselves typically don’t cause systemic symptoms, complications such as infection or severe bleeding can lead to feelings of general unwellness. If you experience a high fever, severe pain, or excessive bleeding, seek immediate medical attention.

Home Remedies and Lifestyle Changes for Hemorrhoid Relief

Many cases of hemorrhoids can be managed effectively with home treatments and lifestyle modifications. These include:

1. Increasing fiber intake to soften stools
2. Staying hydrated
3. Using over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or suppositories
4. Taking warm baths (sitz baths) for 10-15 minutes
5. Applying cold compresses to reduce swelling
6. Avoiding straining during bowel movements
7. Exercising regularly to promote better bowel function

How long does it typically take for hemorrhoids to heal with home treatment? With proper care, many hemorrhoids improve within a week. However, larger hemorrhoids may take several weeks to resolve completely.

Medical Treatments for Persistent Hemorrhoids

If home remedies don’t provide sufficient relief, several medical treatments are available:

Non-Surgical Treatments

• Rubber band ligation: A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off circulation
• Sclerotherapy: A chemical solution is injected into the hemorrhoid to shrink it
• Infrared coagulation: Infrared light is used to create scar tissue, cutting off blood supply to the hemorrhoid
• Electrocoagulation: An electric current is used to cauterize and shrink the hemorrhoid

Surgical Options

• Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgical removal of large external hemorrhoids or prolapsed internal hemorrhoids
• Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: A procedure that pulls prolapsed hemorrhoids back into place
• Hemorrhoid artery ligation: A technique that cuts off blood flow to internal hemorrhoids

What factors determine the most appropriate treatment for hemorrhoids? The choice of treatment depends on the size, location, and severity of the hemorrhoids, as well as the patient’s overall health and preferences. A healthcare provider can recommend the best approach based on individual circumstances.

Preventing Hemorrhoid Recurrence: Long-Term Strategies

Preventing hemorrhoids from recurring involves maintaining good bowel habits and a healthy lifestyle. Key strategies include:

• Eating a high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains
• Drinking plenty of water
• Exercising regularly to promote healthy bowel function
• Avoiding prolonged sitting, especially on the toilet
• Responding promptly to the urge to have a bowel movement
• Using the bathroom as needed, rather than holding it in
• Maintaining a healthy weight

Can dietary supplements help prevent hemorrhoids? While fiber supplements can be beneficial in preventing constipation and reducing straining, it’s generally best to obtain fiber from whole foods. If considering supplements, consult with a healthcare provider to determine the appropriate type and dosage.

Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy: Special Considerations

Hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy due to increased pressure in the pelvic area and hormonal changes. Pregnant women can manage hemorrhoids by:

• Eating a fiber-rich diet
• Staying hydrated
• Avoiding constipation
• Using pregnancy-safe topical treatments as recommended by a healthcare provider
• Practicing Kegel exercises to improve circulation in the rectal area
• Sleeping on the left side to reduce pressure on the rectal veins

Are hemorrhoids during pregnancy a cause for concern? While uncomfortable, hemorrhoids during pregnancy are generally not harmful to the mother or baby. However, severe cases should be evaluated by a healthcare provider to ensure appropriate management and rule out other complications.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Hemorrhoids

While many cases of hemorrhoids can be managed at home, certain situations warrant medical attention:

• Persistent bleeding or large amounts of blood in the stool
• Severe pain that doesn’t respond to home treatments
• Hemorrhoids that don’t improve after a week of home care
• Recurrent hemorrhoids despite preventive measures
• Signs of infection, such as fever, redness, or pus
• Anemia symptoms due to blood loss

How can you differentiate between hemorrhoids and other more serious conditions? While hemorrhoids are often the cause of rectal bleeding, other conditions such as anal fissures, inflammatory bowel disease, or colorectal cancer can present similarly. A healthcare provider can perform a physical examination and order additional tests if necessary to ensure an accurate diagnosis.

Living with Hemorrhoids: Coping Strategies and Quality of Life

Dealing with hemorrhoids can be challenging, but several strategies can help improve quality of life:

• Using soft, unscented wipes or moistened toilet paper after bowel movements
• Wearing breathable, cotton underwear to reduce irritation
• Applying over-the-counter pain relievers or anti-inflammatory creams as needed
• Practicing stress-reduction techniques, as stress can exacerbate symptoms
• Joining support groups or online communities for people with chronic hemorrhoids
• Communicating openly with healthcare providers about symptoms and concerns

Can hemorrhoids impact mental health? Chronic hemorrhoids can lead to discomfort, embarrassment, and anxiety, potentially affecting mental well-being. It’s important to address both the physical and emotional aspects of living with hemorrhoids, seeking professional help if needed.

In conclusion, while hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable and sometimes concerning, they are generally manageable with proper care and treatment. By understanding the causes, symptoms, and available treatments, individuals can take proactive steps to prevent and manage hemorrhoids effectively. Remember to consult with a healthcare provider for persistent or severe symptoms to ensure appropriate care and rule out more serious conditions.

Piles (haemorrhoids) – NHS

Piles (haemorrhoids) are lumps inside and around your bottom (anus). They often get better on their own after a few days. There are things you can do to treat and prevent piles.

Check if it’s piles

Symptoms of piles include:

• bright red blood after you poo
• an itchy anus
• feeling like you still need to poo after going to the toilet
• mucus in your underwear or on toilet paper after wiping your bottom
• lumps around your anus
• pain around your anus

See what piles look like

They can be small lumps, around the size of a pea.

Credit:

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www. sciencephoto.com/media/575741/view

They can be pink or purple.

Credit:

DR P. MARAZZI/SCIENCE PHOTO LIBRARY https://www.sciencephoto.com/media/600596/view

They can grow into larger lumps, the size of grapes.

Credit:

Hercules Robinson / Alamy Stock Photo https://www.alamy.com/mediacomp/imagedetails.aspx?ref=ABFA1G

How you can treat or prevent piles

Do

• drink lots of fluid and eat plenty of fibre to keep your poo soft

• wipe your bottom with damp toilet paper

• take paracetamol if piles hurt

• take a warm bath to ease itching and pain

• use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to ease discomfort

• gently push a pile back inside

• keep your bottom clean and dry

• exercise regularly

• cut down on alcohol and caffeine (like tea, coffee and cola) to avoid constipation

Don’t

• do not wipe your bottom too hard after you poo

• do not ignore the urge to poo

• do not push too hard when pooing

• do not take painkillers that contain codeine, as they can cause constipation

• do not take ibuprofen if your piles are bleeding

• do not spend more time than you need to on the toilet

Ask a pharmacist about treatment for piles

A pharmacist can suggest:

• creams to ease the pain, itching and swelling
• treatment to help constipation and soften poo
• cold packs to ease discomfort

Many pharmacies have private areas if you do not want to be overheard.

Non-urgent advice: See a GP if:

• you have symptoms of piles and they’re getting worse or there’s no improvement after 7 days of treatment at home
• you keep getting piles
• you notice a change around your anus that is not normal for you

The GP may prescribe stronger medicines for piles or constipation. They may also check your symptoms are not being caused by something else.

Urgent advice: Ask for an urgent GP appointment or get help from NHS 111 if:

• you have piles and your temperature is very high or you feel hot and shivery and generally unwell
• you have pus leaking from your piles

You can call 111 or get help from 111 online.

Hospital treatment for piles

If there’s no improvement to your piles after home treatments, you may need hospital treatment.

Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you. Treatment does not always prevent piles coming back.

Treatment without surgery

Common hospital treatments include:

• rubber band ligation: a band is placed around your piles to make them drop off
• sclerotherapy: a liquid is injected into your piles to make them shrink
• electrotherapy: a gentle electric current is applied to your piles to make them shrink
• infrared coagulation: an infrared light is used to cut the blood supply to your piles to make them shrink

You’ll be awake for this type of treatment, but the area will be numbed.

You should be able to go home on the same day.

If these treatments do not work, you may need surgery to remove your piles.

Surgery

Surgical treatments include:

• haemorrhoidectomy: your piles are cut out
• stapled haemorrhoidopexy: your piles are stapled back inside your anus
• haemorrhoidal artery ligation: stitches are used to cut the blood supply to your piles to make them shrink

You’ll usually need to be asleep for this type of treatment and may need to stay in hospital for more than 1 day.

Immediate action required: Go to A&E or call 999 if you have piles and:

• you’re bleeding non-stop
• there’s a lot of blood – for example, the toilet water turns red or you see large blood clots
• you’re in severe pain

What we mean by severe pain

Severe pain:

• always there and so bad it’s hard to think or talk
• you cannot sleep
• it’s very hard to move, get out of bed, go to the bathroom, wash or dress

Moderate pain:

• always there
• makes it hard to concentrate or sleep
• you can manage to get up, wash or dress

Mild pain:

• comes and goes
• is annoying but does not stop you doing daily activities

What causes piles?

Piles are swollen blood vessels. It’s not clear what causes them.

Things that make piles more likely:

• constipation
• pushing too hard when pooing
• heavy lifting
• pregnancy

Find out more about piles during pregnancy

Page last reviewed: 28 March 2022
Next review due: 28 March 2025

Self-help steps to get through hemorrhoid flare-ups

Hemorrhoids are common and can be extremely painful and uncomfortable during occasional flare-ups. These swollen blood vessels on the outer rectum and anus can bleed and turn bowel movements into intensely painful experiences. But simple hemorrhoid self-help measures can ease the ordeal of most hemorrhoids and allow healing. Dr. Jacqueline Wolf, a gastroenterologist and associate professor of medicine at Harvard-affiliated Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, suggests some effective steps you can take to care for hemorrhoids—and when it’s time to seek out a procedure to remove them.

Step up the fiber

Hemorrhoids come in two varieties. The internal type sprout from within the rectum. External hemorrhoids develop on the anus itself. Either way, passing stools by hemorrhoids may cause pain and bleeding.

The road to less painful bowel movements starts with the foods you consume. “The most important thing is to add fiber to your diet,” Dr. Wolf says. This is best done with food, but some men may need to take a fiber supplement to get 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day.

Fiber draws water into stools, making them softer and easier to pass. This is helpful if you have hemorrhoids that protrude (prolapse) through the anus during a bowel movement. Research shows that increased fiber reduces bleeding.

To start, try a psyllium husk fiber supplement, such as Metamucil or a generic equivalent. In some men, psyllium causes gas or bloating. In that case, try a supplement containing wheat dextrin or methyl-
cellulose. Check the label on the brand or generic products you buy to find out which fiber source they contain.

Here is another tip that helps during hemorrhoid flare-ups: mix a tablespoon of mineral oil with applesauce or yogurt and eat it at breakfast or lunch. “It allows the stool to slide by more easily, but don’t take it for a long period,” Dr. Wolf says. While taking mineral oil, consider placing a liner in your undergarments to absorb any oil leakage.

Less strain, more gain

Prolonged sitting or straining, often associated with constipation or diarrhea, may lead to hemorrhoids. “By straining you are causing more hemorrhoids and creating more symptoms,” Dr. Wolf says.

Don’t delay bowel movements during hemorrhoid flare-ups. Go when you need to go, because putting off bowel movements can worsen constipation, which then aggravates the hemorrhoids.

Also, elevating your feet a bit with a step stool as you sit on the toilet changes the position of the rectum in a way that could allow for easier passage of stools.

Off-the-shelf hemorrhoid remedies

Many over-the-counter products are available for help with hemorrhoids, such as witch hazel infused pads and soothing creams. Also, ask your doctor about prescription preparations, which contain stronger anti-inflammatory drugs and numbing medications.

And don’t forget sitz baths. They’re done in a basin that fits under the toilet seat. Soak the inflamed area in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes, two to three times per day.

Some hemorrhoid sufferers use dietary supplements containing plant-based chemicals called flavonoids. As with any dietary supplement, approach with caution. The evidence for flavonoids is not conclusive; and in the United States, dietary supplements are not regulated tightly for safety or quality.

Time for hemorrhoid removal?

Your doctor can tell you about medical procedures to remove or reduce hemorrhoids. You might consider these options if, despite all the ordinary measures, your hemorrhoids continue to bleed, start to bleed or hurt more, or begin to interfere with bowel movements. In the meantime, self-care will get most men through hemorrhoid flare-ups.

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