What are the ways to treat Hemorrhoids?
Home Remedies and Lifestyle
- Ice packs can relieve local inflammation and pain, but should never be placed directly on the skin or left on for longer than 10 minutes.
- A sitz bath, in which a person sits in a tub of warm water for 10 to 20 minutes, can help reduce itching and irritation. Epsom salts or baking soda is often added to help alleviate inflammation.
- Witch hazel, You can dab it on gently with a cotton ball or even add a couple of tablespoons to a sitz bath.
- Aloe vera gel, vitamin E oil, and coconut oil are natural remedies that can help soothe and shrink minor external hemorrhoid treatment. Avoid creams or lotions that contain these products and opt instead for the pure refined oil.
Diet
A diet rich in insoluble fiber can help relieve constipation and prevent hemorrhoids from returning. By gently softening stools, hemorrhoids will be better able to heal with less pain and bleeding.
You should aim to consume between 25 and 35 grams of fiber daily.2 Excellent sources include:
- Beans and legumes
- Dried fruit
- Fresh vegetables, including greens, peas, and green beans
- Fresh fruits (avoid bananas, which may be binding)
- Prune juice
- Whole grains, including barley, bran, brown rice, and whole-grain bread
Fiber supplements containing psyllium, methylcellulose, inulin, calcium polycarbophil, or wheat dextrin can also help.
OTC Therapies and Prescriptions
In terms of pain relief, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as Aleve (naproxen) or Advil (ibuprofen) are highly effective in reducing the pain, swelling, and redness of mild to moderate hemorrhoids.3
Hemorrhoid Creams
While NSAIDs are a good, first-line defense against hemorrhoid pain and inflammation, the same cannot be said for many of the topical and suppository preparation used to treat hemorrhoids. A 2012 review published in the World Journal of Gastroenterology concluded that the effectiveness of these products remains largely unproven.4 This includes topical corticosteroids, available both over the counter and by prescription.
Among the medications that may help:
Preparation-H, made with shark liver oil (a natural vasodilator), is a topical ointment available over the counter that can help reduce bleeding and pain during defecation.
Ketogenic ointment, made with 0.2 percent glyceryl trinitrate (nitroglycerin), is available by prescription and may alleviate the pain and discomfort of mild to moderate hemorrhoids. A headache is a common side effect.
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