Treating Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are caused by several factors. These factors can contribute to itchiness, soreness, and discomfort associated with hemorrhoids. Fortunately, hemorrhoids are highly treatable, and you can treat them in many ways.

Typical Medications For Mild To Severe Hemorrhoids

When you visit your doctor, he or she will normally recommend certain medications including ointments, suppositories, steroid medicines or local anesthetics. These are typical medications for both those who have severe hemorrhoids and those who simply want to alleviate discomfort from mild hemorrhoids.

Ointments guard the skin, prevent further damage, and decrease itching. Commonly suggested ointments are petroleum jelly and zinc oxide. Suppositories aim to get rid of irritation and lubricate the anal canal when passing stool. These can be used up to 10 days, but can damage tissues if used for longer periods of time. Steroid medicines act to relieve swelling and itching. These can be used for up to 2 weeks, or as recommended by your doctor. Side effects can thin the skin. Ointments may contain steroid medicine. Finally, there are products containing local anesthetics that numb the affected area. These are especially useful for those who suffer from painful external hemorrhoids. Allergic reactions have been reported.

Typical medical treatments for individuals with chronic or severe hemorrhoids are sclerotherapy, cryosurgery, and enema. Sclerotherapy involves injecting a hardening agent into the hemorrhoids. What happens after is the vein walls break down and, as a result, the hemorrhoids begin to wither. Cryosurgery involves getting rid of hemorrhoidal tissues by the use of a frozen tip of a cryoprobe. This treatment can be effective, however, side effects have been reported. Enema is a treatment where water is injected into the rectum. The water flushes out toxins and cleanses the affected areas. This may technically not be considered medication, but it is commonly used to treat hemorrhoids.

Herbal Medications

There are herbal combinations such as the combination of St. John’s Wort flower, chickweed herb and comfrey root that aid in the healing of broken skin and blood vessels. Some combinations contain natural antiseptics, anti-inflammatory agents, natural analgesics, and soothing properties all at once because of the many herbs they are made of. Most of these herbal medicines are applied externally on the affected area, usually at night for about a week with rest intervals. When not in use, it is best to keep them in a cool place or refrigerator.

Witch hazel, calendula extract, chamomile essential oil, and Echinacea extract are herbs generally used to treat hemorrhoids. Zinc oxide ointment is used as an astringent, antiseptic, and antibacterial. It is also used to sooth itchiness and keeps affected areas dry. Other popular herbal ointments are pilewort ointment and calendula ointment, which can naturally stop bleeding.

Vitamins And Supplements

Flavonoids are considered to be anti-inflammatory and blood vessel strengtheners. Flavonoids can be found in various medications and dietary supplements. The presence of side effects depends on individual supplements.

Medical advice from a healthcare professional should not be replaced by the information found in this article.