Hemorrhoids: Medicines & Treatments

By the age of 50, around half of the population will develop hemorrhoids, which affect both men and women equally. Hemorrhoids may be very uncomfortable and upsetting, but there are several at-home remedies and medications that can help.

Hemorrhoids, often called piles, are protruding veins that form in the rectum and anus. Hemorrhoids often go undetected until they bleed, become uncomfortable, or become painful.

Even though hemorrhoids are a common problem, getting professional medical treatment for the illness is far less common, which is why we're here to assist. Let's examine the causes of hemorrhoids and possible treatments for those who are unsure of how to handle them.

How Do Hemorrhoids Happen?

Hemorrhoids are a kind of digestive disorder that typically affects people between the ages of 45 and 65. On the other hand, younger people may still get them, particularly if they have diarrhea or constipation.

Hemorrhoids may develop as a result of prolonged straining, sitting, coughing, constipation, or pregnancy.

Hemorrhoids come in two different varieties: internal and external.

• Even when they bleed, internal hemorrhoids are less unpleasant than external hemorrhoids. On the other hand, internal hemorrhoids may extend beyond the anus and present a variety of difficulties. A hemorrhoid that protrudes may collect trace amounts of mucus and tiny stools fragments, which may lead to pruritus ani, or itching skin. Wiping the area in an effort to relieve the itching can make things worse.
• Because the skin covering the anus, which has many pain-sensing neurons, swells and erodes, external hemorrhoids are the most agonizing. An external hemorrhoid that develops a blood clot may be very painful. The anus may seem or feel enlarged. Normal resolution of the clot often leaves behind excess skin that itches and irritates.

When they hurt, hemorrhoids may be heartbreaking. Therefore, if they start to annoy you, you should receive medical attention.

 

 

Numerous Methods Are Used To Diagnosis Hemorrhoids

Although they are commonly associated with chronic constipation or diarrhea, intestinal straining, and prolonged sitting, hemorrhoids may develop for no apparent cause.

No matter how challenging it may be, it's essential to discuss your symptoms with a healthcare professional. If you suspect you may have hemorrhoids, a great place to start is with your health care physician. Your physician will be in a position to evaluate you and, if necessary, refer you to a specialist. Typically, a specialist like a gastroenterologist or a proctologist will only be suggested if issues are concerning.

Since external hemorrhoids are readily apparent, the diagnosis is often confirmed with a physical examination of the anus. This physical will undoubtedly involve a digital examination of the lower rectum, which may confirm muscle structure and often detect polyps and/or malignancies.

An anoscopy is a different kind of physical examination. Using endoscopic equipment with a light, the interior wall of the anal canal and the lowest part of the rectum are inspected. A small, hard instrument called an anoscope, sometimes referred to as an anal speculum, is introduced a short distance into the anus. Despite how terrifying it may appear, an anoscopy is thought to be painless, but you could feel some pressure.

A colonoscopy and/or flexible sigmoidoscopy may be done in certain cases when a more comprehensive examination of the large intestine is advised.

Barium enemas, which employ a contrast solution pumped into the rectum for x-ray imaging, may be an option after the first consultation.

The following questions may be posed to you by your healthcare provider during your consultation:

• When did your symptoms start to show up for you?
• Have you ever found yourself in a similar circumstance?
• Are there any things that give you the creeps?
• Do you use prescription medications?

Do I have hemorrhoids? is one thing you may want to ask your doctor.

• What options do I have for therapy?
• Do you have any tests to run?
• Will a physical exam be performed on you?
• How long will your recovery take?
• What was the initial cause of the hemorrhoids?

We recognize that many people find this to be a delicate issue, but we urge you to look for healthcare professionals with whom you can be open and honest. They are professionals, and the more details you can provide them, the more they can help you and determine which course of therapy is best for you.

Options For Hemorrhoids Treatment

The good news is that there are several treatment options available if you have been diagnosed with hemorrhoids. These may include prescription medicine and, in certain circumstances, surgery. They can include over-the-counter (OTC) medications, sitz baths, and dietary changes.

Keep in mind that hemorrhoids may be treated, and there are ways to prevent the uncomfortable condition from reappearing. To prevent piles in the future, avoid straining during bowel movements, eat a high-fiber diet rich in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, and stay hydrated. Regular exercise, using the restroom as soon as you sense the need, and avoiding prolonged periods of inactivity may all help stop another flare-up.

Drugs Accessible Without A Prescription

Most small hemorrhoids instances may be treated with over-the-counter creams, gels, ointments, and wipes. The majority of over-the-counter medications include a vasoconstrictor, which constricts blood vessels and shrinks skin tissue to lessen the size of the hemorrhoid and alleviate pressure and pain.

These medicines also include skin shields and, in certain situations, topical analgesics like lidocaine. Hydrocortisone, a steroid that lessens inflammation and hence decreases pressure and discomfort, is a component of certain over-the-counter hemorrhoid remedies.

Prescription Medications

Your doctor could recommend a harsher course of therapy, such as a topical hydrocortisone and pramoxine combination, if your condition is more serious. These drugs numb the area to ease discomfort while also reducing the quantity of the pile.

Surgery

If you have huge internal hemorrhoids or highly bothersome external hemorrhoids, your doctor could recommend that you see a surgical expert. It is possible to employ a classic hemorrhoidectomy or more modern methods that utilize staples or a Doppler sensor to locate and stop the blood flow. Hemorrhoids can be medically treated, but if your food and lifestyle aren't changed, they can come back.

Additional Non-Surgical Options

If internal hemorrhoids still cause issues after trying home remedies, your doctor could suggest an office-based nonsurgical surgery. The most popular options are as follows:

• The most frequent method for treating internal hemorrhoids is rubber band ligation. After being placed into the anal canal, a hemorrhoid's base is wrapped in a brief elastic band. The hemorrhoid is prevented from obtaining blood by the band, which causes it to wither and fall off within a few weeks. Unnoticed progressive undoing of the rubber band occurs. Although no anesthesia is necessary for the procedure, if you feel uncomfortable, a numbing agent may be utilized.
• An injection of a chemical solution into blood arteries is known as sclerotherapy. By disrupting blood flow, this treatment induces a local reaction that causes the hemorrhoid to contract.
• Cutting off the hemorrhoid's blood supply by the use of heat, laser, or electric current is known as coagulation treatment. When the hemorrhoid shrinks and dies, scar tissue forms on the anal canal wall, keeping surrounding veins in place so they don't protrude into the anal canal. One hemorrhoid is treated at a time, with 10- to 14-day gaps between sessions.

Hemorrhoid Medication

After seeing your doctor, they can advise you to try an over-the-counter medication or get a prescription for anything to help. Hemorrhoids are most often treated with creams, ointments, and suppositories. These drugs are mainly used to reduce the engorged tissue and lessen the irritation caused by hemorrhoids.

Over-The-Counter

In moderate circumstances, these topical creams, ointments, pads, and suppositories are used to reduce pain and itching. They often include witch hazel, phenylephrine, lidocaine, and hydrocortisone. Some of the brands offered include Anusol, T.N. Dickinson's Witch Hazel Cleansing Pads, Tucks Pads, and Preparation H.

Tissue thinning might result from using over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams for more than a week.

Painkillers like acetaminophen and ibuprofen may be used to reduce discomfort while the hemorrhoid heals.

Prescription Medications

Despite the fact that smaller hemorrhoids often go away on their own, your doctor may need to recommend a stronger prescription. To treat you, they could use topical medications like pramoxine and hydrocortisone with a prescription.

While hydrocortisone, a steroid, helps to reduce a hemorrhoid's size and swelling, pramoxine acts as a numbing agent. Some of the brand names are Analpram, Pramasone, and Mezparox, however generic equivalents are also offered.

What Hemorrhoid Treatment Is Most Effective?

You may be unclear about the ideal therapy given the wide range of hemorrhoid remedies available. That must be evaluated on an individual basis by your healthcare provider, just like other drugs. Your medical history, the severity of your hemorrhoids, and whether or not you are currently taking any medications that can negatively interact with hemorrhoid therapy will all be taken into consideration when choosing the best option for you.