For many adults over the age of fifty, which is about half of the adult population, hemorrhoids are a fact of life. Often if they are not bleeding or extremely painful, people attempt to use a variety of natural treatments at home to hoping to limit the swelling of the veins in the anal area and allow them to naturally shrink and retract.
For many people home and natural treatments are an effective way to deal with this very common problem. Natural treatments are also often recommended by specialists and doctors as a way to help prevent further bouts with hemorrhoids going forward after treatment has been completed.
Common Natural Treatments
In most cases, if there is no pain, bleeding, or significant irritation, a doctor may recommend that a patient try natural treatments for a few days before recommending a medical treatment option.
The most common types of home or natural treatment options will help to reduce swelling and pain, curb itching and burning, and allow the tissue to return to normal. The most common types of natural treatments include:
* Warm baths – in the tub or in a sitz bath simply soaking the anal area in warm water for 15 to 20 minutes after a bowel movement and two to three times a day can relief the discomfort.
* Witch Hazel – this can be purchased at most drug stores or health food stores and is used topically and not taken internally. It is made from the bark and leaves of the plant of the same name and is a natural astringent that also has a pain relieving component.
* Zinc oxide – this too can be found in most drug stores and pharmacies and is an ointment that is applied to the area that is itchy. It can be very effective for some people and, in combination with warm baths and ice packs, can help to shrink the inflamed tissue effectively.
* Boosting fiber intake – while not a quick fix, if you increase your fiber intake it results in softer stools. This means less friction against the lining of the anal canal and also less straining, meaning less chance of irritating hemorrhoids to allow them to heal.
If your hemorrhoids do not respond to natural treatments or if you experience sudden pain, lumps, or significant discomfort, you should see your doctor immediately as this could indicated a thrombosed internal hemorrhoid which is more serious
Medical Treatments
There are varipus medical treatments for internal and external hemorrhoids that are much less painful, have very limited recovery times and are very effective when compared to the more invasive surgical options of just a few years ago.
An excision is used for an external hemorrhoid to remove the clot and allow the tissue to return to normal positioning. Infrared Coagulation is used for internal hemorrhoids to send a pulse of warm laser light to coagulate the blood vessel, preventing any further swelling and allowing it to naturally be absorbed into the body.
Both natural and medical hemorrhoid treatments can be highly effective. To learn more about your treatment options go to www.chicagohemorrhoid.com.
