Treatment and Prevention
A high-fiber diet with large amounts of water is the answer for grade I
internal hemorrhoids and painless external hemorrhoids. This will soften
the stool, decreasing constipation and straining. It will also allow the inflamed
veins to decrease in size. There are also a number of ointments and suppositories
available without prescription that can help reduce pain and inflammation around
the anus. Your pharmacist can help you choose a topical application that is
appropriate for your circumstances. Prescription medications can include cortisone
creams that have good initial benefit, but can cause skin thinning if used long-term.
Other useful measures include stool softeners or bulking agents, or a sitz
bath used three or four times daily for 15 minutes at a time. A sitz bath is
a container filled with warm water that fits in a toilet bowl. Ice packs alternated
with warm packs on the affected area can help dissolve a blood clot in an external
hemorrhoid.
More severe hemorrhoids may require a doctor's intervention. A hemorrhoidectomy
is a type of surgery done under anesthetic and involves complete removal of
internal hemorrhoids. It's reserved for severe cases. External hemorrhoids can
be removed or drained with local anesthetic and a scalpel by a doctor if they
have thrombosed (developed a clot) within the previous 72 hours.
Sometimes a hardening agent is injected into internal hemorrhoids to make them
smaller and firmer. Grade II and III internal hemorrhoids may be tied off with
a rubber band. This stops the blood flow and the hemorrhoids eventually die
and drop off. Electricity, lasers, heat, cold, or infrared light are also used
to destroy hemorrhoids. These procedures can involve some discomfort.
Here are a few tips on preventing hemorrhoids:
- Don't delay bowel movements, because the stool can harden.
- Drink at least 8 glasses of water a day.
- Eat foods that are high in fiber and bulk, such as whole grain foods, fresh
vegetables, and fruit, especially prunes and bran.
- Get plenty of exercise.
- Lose excess weight.