How to Treat Internal Hemorrhoids: Effective Relief and Home Remedies

Hemorrhoids are abnormally enlarged veins found in or near the anus. External hemorrhoids are visible from the outside, while internal hemorrhoids are found inside the anal canal. Internal hemorrhoids are usually painful and not visible. You may not know you have this condition until you start bleeding and a doctor notices it during a medical exam. Internal hemorrhoids are actually caused by constipation and aggravated by other factors, including difficult bowel movements. For severe or persistent hemorrhoids, the best thing to do is to see your doctor for proper treatment, but changes to your lifestyle and diet may also be necessary. If internal hemorrhoids are causing pain, you can take painkillers during treatment.

Use home treatment methods

Drink plenty of water . Water is essential to avoid constipation, which is a major cause of hemorrhoids. Aim to drink about 2 liters of water per day. If you're constantly on the move or always thirsty, feel free to drink even more water.

• There are also other types of beverages you can drink to increase your fluid intake. These include herbal tea, juice, and sparkling water. Just try to avoid alcohol and caffeinated beverages. In fact, both of these can dehydrate and constipate you.

Eat more fiber . Eating enough fiber can make bowel movements easier and help treat and prevent hemorrhoids. You should aim to get about 25g of fiber per day. Try to include more vegetables, fruits, and whole grains in your diet to increase your daily fiber intake.

• Make an effort to consume a fiber supplement. If you are unable to meet your daily fiber intake goal, you may need to incorporate a fiber supplement into your diet to help you do so.

Exercise every day . Exercise can help stimulate your digestive system, which can prevent constipation. Try going for a walk every day or riding your bike to get around town. Even small things, like parking far away from the mall entrance or taking the stairs instead of the elevator, can help you get more exercise throughout the day.

Go straight to the bathroom. One of the best ways to prevent hemorrhoids from getting worse is to go to the bathroom as soon as you feel the urge to defecate. Holding it in and not having a bowel movement can lead to constipation, which is a major cause of hemorrhoids. Also, pay attention to your body's signals and go straight to the bathroom when you feel the urge to have a bowel movement.

Avoid straining. Straining too much can also aggravate hemorrhoids, so be sure not to force it. If you are unable to defecate and find that you are starting to strain too much, then leave the toilet and try again later.

• Avoid standing on the toilet and straining. Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time can also aggravate hemorrhoids.
• Instead of sitting, try squatting instead. This position can make it easier to have a bowel movement..You can also purchase a stool or other device that allows you to maintain a squatting position over the toilet bowl.

Treating pain from internal hemorrhoids

Talk to your doctor if you experience pain. It's best to talk to your doctor if you experience pain from internal hemorrhoids. This is important because it's rare for this type of condition to be painful, as there are very few pain receptors in the lower rectum.. Usually, pain is only felt when hemorrhoids have prolapsed, meaning they are protruding from the anus. These hemorrhoids may go away on their own or you may be able to put them back in. However, when you experience pain from prolapsed hemorrhoids, it usually indicates that you will not be able to put the hemorrhoids back in your anus and that you should definitely see a doctor .

• You may experience severe irritation and itching.
• If you have a blood clot in your anus, be aware that this will increase pressure on the hemorrhoids and likely trigger constant and potentially severe pain.

Take a warm sitz bath . A warm sitz bath can also help relieve hemorrhoids. That's why it's recommended to take a sitz bath after a bowel movement, as it will help soothe and eliminate your hemorrhoids.

• To prepare a sitz bath, simply fill a bathtub with a certain amount of water and add about a cup of Epsom salt. Then sit in the tub and stay there for about 15 to 20 minutes.

Take over-the-counter pain relievers. Over-the-counter pain relievers can also relieve painful hemorrhoids, and you can take medications like aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen. Also, be sure to read and follow the manufacturer's instructions before use.

• Ask your doctor for a product recommendation if you are unsure of the type of over-the-counter pain reliever you should take.

Insert a suppository. A suppository may be helpful if you experience pain. Using a suppository can shrink internal hemorrhoids, and your doctor will simply administer medication inside your rectum. Shrinking the hemorrhoids can also reduce discomfort and pain. You can buy over-the-counter suppositories that contain witch hazel and other ingredients designed to treat hemorrhoids.

• It is important to know that suppositories must be inserted into your anus

Sit on a cushion. Sitting on a hard surface for extended periods of time can intensify the pain caused by hemorrhoids. Instead, try using a nursing pillow or a pad. Using either of these may help you feel less pain

Benefit from medical treatment

Consult your doctor for appropriate treatment. Rectal bleeding is one of the main symptoms of hemorrhoids, but it's important to note that it's also a sign of colorectal cancer. For this reason, you should consult your doctor as soon as possible if you experience symptoms of internal hemorrhoids. Your doctor will perform a medical examination and may also order imaging tests to rule out colorectal cancer. There are several tests your doctor may order.

• Colonoscopy  : A long, flexible tube with a camera and light at the end is inserted into the anus and then directed into the intestine and rectum to capture images.
• Sigmoidoscopy  : This medical test uses a camera and light placed at the end of a small tube. The camera takes images of the sigmoid colon (the lower part of the colon) and the lower part of the rectum.
• Barium enema  : This requires the use of barium and air followed by an X-ray to take images of the colon.

Ask about rubber band ligation. You may be eligible for rubber band ligation if your internal hemorrhoids protrude from the rectum. For this treatment, your doctor will tie one or two small rubber bands around the base of the hemorrhoids..

• The rubber band cuts off blood flow to the hemorrhoid, which can cause some discomfort. Bleeding is also possible, but rest assured, the hemorrhoids will detach after a few days.

Discuss the possibility of sclerotherapy. If you undergo this treatment, your doctor will inject a solution that will shrink your hemorrhoids. Sclerotherapy is effective, but not as effective as rubber band ligation treatment. You may experience some pain from the injection, but other than that, this treatment is painless

Learn about coagulation. Coagulation involves using heat, infrared radiation, or a laser to treat hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids will harden and shrink after exposure. Coagulation can help treat hemorrhoids, but they are more likely to recur compared to rubber band ligation

Consider hemorrhoid removal. Surgery may be the best option for getting rid of large hemorrhoids or those that have not been eliminated through other treatments. There are two main types of hemorrhoid surgery.

• Hemorrhoidectomy  : During this surgical procedure, the doctor removes the hemorrhoids by making an incision around their base It is important to keep in mind that you will be anesthetized during the operation so that you will not feel any pain. However, be aware that recovery can be painful and you may need prescription painkillers to help manage pain after surgery. .
• Stapled hemorrhoidopexy  : Here, the surgeon uses staples to prevent blood flow to the hemorrhoids. This procedure is less painful and offers a faster recovery time than a conventional hemorrhoidectomy. However, it carries a higher risk of rectal prolapse (where part of the rectum exits through the anus) and hemorrhoid recurrence