Like varicose veins, they are swollen veins that can cause itching
and pain–in this case, especially when you’ve been sitting for a while.
Since the veins of the anus are more delicate than other veins, they can
easily bleed, leaving bright red blood in your feces, in the toilet, or
on toilet paper, scaring the heck out of you. It’s a good thing to be
scared, however. Other, more serious conditions–such as colon
polyps–also cause bleeding. So never assume you have a hemorrhoid when
you see red. Make an appointment with your doctor to rule out other
possible problems.
Although most hemorrhoidal flare-ups resolve on their own in just a
few days, the swelling will return–and more hemorrhoids may form–unless
you get at the original cause.
Do This Now
To quickly soothe the itchiness and pain of a hemorrhoid, follow these steps.
- Draw a hot bath and add a handful of Epsom or sea salt. Get in and
sit down with your knees raised for 10 minutes. Repeat several times a
day.
- Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoidal cream such as Preparation H after each bath.
Why It Works
The warm water brings more blood to the affected area, reducing pain.
It also relaxes your anus and rectum, which reduces pressure on the
hemorrhoid. The salt helps shrink the blood vessels. In one study, 28
people with hemorrhoids sat in warm baths of varying temperatures for 10
minutes. The hottest temperature used in the study, 122°F, reduced pain
for the longest time–as long as 70 minutes.
As for the cream, although it won’t cure your hemorrhoid, the witch
hazel it contains cools the burning and itching and shrinks swelling.
Other Medicines
Herbs and Supplements
Flavonoids. Flavonoids
such as rutin or quercetin (sold as citrus flavonoids), pycnogenol, or
grapeseed strengthen blood vessels and also reduce swelling through
their anti-inflammatory action. Take 500 milligrams citrus flavonoids,
50 milligrams pycnogenol, or 100 milligrams grapeseed extract twice a
day.
Ginkgo. Supplements
made from this large shade tree increase blood flow and improve blood
vessel function throughout the body. In one study, 22 people with
hemorrhoids who took ginkgo supplements for a week experienced less
bleeding, pain, and discharge than before taking the supplement. Take 2
capsules of standardized extract (24% flavonoids, 7.5% terpenoids) twice
daily.
Witch hazel. This
natural anti-inflammatory shrinks swollen veins, bringing immediate
relief. Chill the witch hazel for 15 minutes, then soak a wad of cotton
in it and place the cotton ball near the hemorrhoid. This remedy works
particularly well at night, helping to relieve pain and itching so you
can sleep.
Prescription Drugs
Doxium (calcium dobesilate).
Used to treat diabetes and various blood disorders, this medication can
provide efficient, fast, and safe relief from your symptoms by
strengthening your blood vessels. In a study of 29 patients, hemorrhoid
symptoms improved within two weeks in 86 percent of those taking the
drug.
Other Approaches
Fiber. Straining during
a bowel movement is a major cause of hemorrhoids. To stay regular and
pass soft stool, you need to eat 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day, but the
average American consumes only 8 to 15 grams. A daily fiber supplement,
along with a fiber-rich diet that includes whole grains, legumes, and
fruits and vegetables, will get you to that goal.
Psyllium and other over-the-counter soluble fiber
supplements also help soften stool, making it less painful to pass (and
less likely to irritate your hemorrhoid). Studies find these fiber
supplements reduce the bleeding and pain associated with hemorrhoids,
while increasing the effectiveness of other therapies, such as surgery,
possibly by reducing future flare-ups. The best fiber supplement for you
is the one you’ll most likely take. Choose one that tastes good and
dissolves easily in water or food and follow package directions.
Careful hygiene. You
can easily nick a hemorrhoid, making it bleed. So use baby wipes or
Tucks pads instead of toilet paper to wipe carefully and gently after
bowel movements. When showering, avoid perfumed soaps, which can
irritate hemorrhoids.
Guided imagery.
Hemorrhoids can cause insane itching, but giving in and scratching may
irritate your hemorrhoid further, prolonging and intensifying your
symptoms. Most people can ignore the itching during the day, but find it
drives them crazy at night. The good news: The relaxation technique
called guided imagery can teach you to use mind over matter to ignore
the itching and pain. In a study of 86 people recovering from hemorrhoid
surgery, participants who listened to a guided imagery CD reported less
pain and improved sleep compared to patients who did not listen to the
tape.
Rubber band ligation.
In this procedure, a physician places a rubber band around the base of
the hemorrhoid inside the rectum. The band cuts off circulation, and the
hemorrhoid withers away within a few days.
Sclerotherapy. In this procedure, a physician injects a chemical solution around the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid.
Surgery. As a last
resort, a surgeon can remove your hemorrhoid via a hemorrhoidectomy.
Consider this method only after more conservative treatments, including
rubber band ligation, fail. Although hemorrhoidectomy has a better
success rate than other surgical procedures, its potential risks include
postoperative bleeding, infection, and incontinence.
Prevention
Drink 8 to 10 glasses of water daily. In addition to helping your body to process the extra fiber, the water softens stools.
Eat a high-fiber breakfast.
In a study of 47 people, those who ate breakfast were seven times less
likely to have hemorrhoids than people who didn’t, possibly because many
breakfast foods–such as bran cereals–are high in fiber.
Take a 30-minute walk every day. Regular exercise helps you have regular bowel movements.
