How To Get Rid of Hemorrhoids: Causes, Symptoms & Cures for Hemorrhoids

 

 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.

1. 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.
2. 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.