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Can Hemorrhoids Be Cured? Types, Causes, Symptoms & Much More

This is the common question that a lot of our patients ask us: Can hemorrhoids be cured? And that is why we have decided to write an article on it.

If you also have the same question in mind: Can hemorrhoids be cured? Then now, you don’t need to worry about it because, in this article, we will address this question and give you brief information about it. If that sounds interesting to you, let us begin this article. 

Hemorrhoids

An unpleasant and frequently painful disease, hemorrhoids are caused by a build-up of pressure on the veins in and around the anus or lower section of the rectum, which causes them to become swollen and inflamed. Hemorrhoids may be treated using a variety of methods. In the anus region, external hemorrhoids form under the skin, while internal hemorrhoids develop inside the tissues’ lining. 

Hemorrhoids afflict around one in every twenty Americans, with almost half of those over 50 suffering from them. A contributing element is our age; as we get older, the supporting tissues in the rectum and anus become weaker and more susceptible to strain.

 

Pregnant women often experience hemorrhoids due to the weakened state of these tissues during pregnancy. Besides persistent constipation or diarrhea, other probable reasons include straining during bowel motions and spending lengthy amounts of time on the toilet. Additionally, carrying essential things regularly may raise the chance of developing hemorrhoids. 

Who Might Get Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids with symptoms may affect anybody, including youngsters. (Hemorrhoids often don’t appear in kids since the condition takes so long to manifest.) If you fit any of the following categories, you could be at higher risk:

  • Put on extra weight; be obese.
  • Having a baby.
  • Reduce your fiber intake.
  • Be plagued by persistent bowel issues.
  • Carry hefty loads on a regular basis.
  • Get used to spending a lot of time flushing.
  • Put forth some effort when you’re passing gas.

What Are The Types Of Hemorrhoids?

External and internal rectal hemorrhaging is also possible. The location of the enlarged vein determines its classification. These are some examples of the many types:

Hemorrhoid treatments.

  • The anus veins become swollen and visible through the skin on the surface. Poop exits via your anus.
  • Hemorrhoids on the outside of the body may be a painful and irritating nuisance. From time to time, they will bleed. They may clot when they get full of blood. This is not harmful but may be uncomfortable and lead to some edema.
  • Congestion occurs inside the rectum, where swollen veins manifest. The rectum is a segment of your digestive tract that links the colon (big intestine) to the ureter (anus). Hemorrhoids on the inside of the intestines may bleed, although they seldom cause discomfort.
  • The term “prolapsed” refers to the stretching and bulging of hemorrhoids outside the anus, and it may refer to either internal or external hemorrhoids. It is possible for these hemorrhoids to bleed or be painful.

What’s The Difference Between Hemorrhoids And Anal Fissures?

Anal fissures and hemorrhoids share symptoms including itching, discomfort, and bleeding. Hemorrhoids are the result of vein enlargement, whereas an anal fissure is the result of damage to the anus’s lining. In order to determine the root of your problems, your doctor will do a thorough physical examination and maybe request more diagnostics.

What Causes Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are caused by straining, which exerts pressure on the veins in the anus or rectum. You may compare them to varicose veins on your thighs or calves.

The anal and rectal veins are easily irritated and swelled by any kind of strain that puts extra weight or pressure on the abdominal area or the lower body. Potential causes of hemorrhoids include:

  • Weight increase, particularly during pregnancy, may put a strain on the pelvic organs.
  • Due to constipation, you are straining to pass a bowel movement (poop).
  • Putting out effort in order to lift weights or heft big items.

What Are The Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids?

The signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids differ depending on whether the inflamed veins are visible or internal.

External hemorrhoids may be itchy and painful, particularly when sitting for long periods. Aside from that, you may notice one or more painful lumps in the anal region. Scratching, rubbing, or aggressively washing the affected area might exacerbate the symptoms.

When you have a bowel movement, you may detect bright red blood, indicating internal hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are typically not uncomfortable until they prolapse through the anal orifice, known as prolapsing hemorrhoids.

While hemorrhoids are not harmful, they may get infected and cause difficulties. External hemorrhoids may get infected or produce blood clots if they are not treated promptly. Anemia, often known as a low red blood cell count, may result from an internal hemorrhoid hemorrhage.

What Other Conditions Cause Hemorrhoid-Type Symptoms?

Rectal bleeding and associated symptoms like hemorrhoids may be brought on by a variety of gastrointestinal illnesses. Several of these diseases and conditions are potentially fatal. This is why communicating your symptoms to your doctor is so crucial.

Bleeding disorders of the bowel include:

  • Caused by cancer of the colon.
  • A disease of the intestine known as Crohn’s.
  • Colitis ulcerative.

How Are Hemorrhoids Diagnosed?

Hemorrhoids are diagnosed by your doctor after a thorough examination of your symptoms and physical condition. You could have also:

  • To check for enlarged veins, your doctor will do a digital rectal exam, in which a gloved, lubricated finger is inserted into the rectum.
  • The anoscope (a lighted tube) is used by your doctor to examine the anorectal lining.
  • With a sigmoidoscope (a lighted tube fitted with a camera), your doctor may see within the lower (sigmoid) section of your colon and rectum. Flexi- and rigid-tube sigmoidoscopies are two examples of procedures (proctoscopy).

While these examinations are invasive, they should not cause any severe discomfort. They are often performed without anesthetic at a doctor’s office or a hospital’s outpatient clinic. You get to go home the same day.

If your doctor suspects colon cancer or wants to confirm the results of the previous testing, he or she may recommend a colonoscopy. Anesthesia is necessary for this outpatient surgery.

How Are Hemorrhoids Treated At Home? 

Hemorrhoids, particularly prolapsed hemorrhoids, will usually disappear on their own within a few days if left unaddressed. Consuming more high-fiber meals, such as whole grains and green, leafy vegetables, and drinking lots of fluids, will help alleviate the discomfort (minimize coffee and alcoholic beverages, which can further irritate the area).

a preganant woman on a couch, wincing

Avoid straining while having a bowel movement since this might aggravate hemorrhoids. The use of a fiber supplement or a moderate stool softener may be of assistance. 

Warm baths or sitz baths, which are shallow plastic tubs with just a few inches of water to sit in, might be soothing for those experiencing discomfort. Sitz baths are readily available over-the-counter, and the addition of Epsom salt may alleviate the irritability. After taking a bath, be sure to dry the region properly.

Hemorrhoid creams or suppositories available over the counter may help ease minor symptoms such as itching, discomfort, and puffiness. Pay close attention to the instructions.

More On Hemorrhoids Treatment At Home

Rarely do hemorrhoids need medical attention? Pain and bleeding, among other symptoms, may last for a week or more. As a stopgap measure, try these things to alleviate symptoms:

  • Lidocaine, witch hazel, and hydrocortisone may all be found in over-the-counter drugs and applied to the region.
  • Take in some extra fluids.
  • Boost your fiber consumption with a healthy diet and nutritional supplements. Ideally, you should consume between 20 and 35 grams of fiber per day.
  • Ten to twenty minutes of daily sitz bathing is recommended.
  • Take laxatives to make your stools easier to pass.
  • You may treat pain and inflammation using NSAIDs.
  • When you’re done defecating, wipe your bottom with a flushable wet wipe or toilet paper infused with moisturizer. A wet tissue or washcloth may also be used. (Do not flush used wipes; instead, throw them away.
  • To prevent the transmission of diseases that may be present in feces, wash your washcloths in hot water on their own.

How Do Healthcare Providers Treat Hemorrhoids?

If your symptoms worsen or start to disrupt your everyday life or sleep, you should schedule an appointment with your doctor. If symptoms worsen or don’t improve after a week of self-care, medical attention is required. Hemorrhoids may be treated with the following, depending on your doctor’s recommendations:

  • Hemorrhoid ligation, in which a little rubber band is wrapped around hemorrhoid’s base to sever the vein’s blood flow.
  • A hemorrhoid’s blood supply is cut off by an electric current (electrocoagulation).
  • Hemorrhoid removal with infrared coagulation entails inserting a tiny probe into the rectum and using it to convey heat to hemorrhoid.
  • Hemorrhoid tissue may be destroyed using sclerotherapy, in which a chemical is injected into the enlarged vein.

Some of the surgical procedures that may be performed are:

Large external hemorrhoids or prolapsed internal hemorrhoids may be surgically removed.
Stabbing internal hemorrhoid to remove it. Alternatively, it may be used to re-insert and secure a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid inside the anus.

Prevention Tips & How to Find Relief

Patients seeking DIY remedies might choose from a wide variety of effective treatments. Hemorrhoids of a manageable size may often be cured with over-the-counter remedies and dietary adjustments.

  • Boost your fiber intake. Roughage, which includes fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, helps aid digestion. Consult your physician about trying a fiber supplement if you’re having problems making dietary changes. The simple act of consuming more water might also help.
  • Get some OTC painkillers and some hemorrhoid cream and see if it helps. Medications like Tylenol (acetaminophen) and Advil (ibuprofen) may be used orally to alleviate pain. Pain and irritation may also be treated with topical treatments (like Preparation H).
  • Participate in a sitz bath. In order to increase circulation and maintain a sanitary perineal region, a sitz bath entails soaking for 10 to 15 minutes in a warm, shallow bath. There are sitz bath devices that can be fastened to a toilet seat, but a standard bathtub will also do the job.
  • Take a seat on a doughnut pillow. Tailbone cushions, which come in the form of a donut, are designed to alleviate the strain placed on the back of the spine by the user’s weight when seated. Patients who spend long periods of time sitting at work may find that cushions like these assist reduce their pain and discomfort.
  • You should try to restrict how long you spend in the bathroom. Hemorrhoids may be caused by sitting on the toilet for extended periods of time since this puts pressure on the veins in the anus and rectum. If you find yourself spending more time than necessary on the toilet, putting away your phone and putting away any periodicals or novels that you may have handy may help.

When To See The Doctor?

Before proceeding, the most frequent cause of bleeding is hemorrhoids, but we want to rule out other illnesses that might cause bleeding, such as Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and cancer.

If you are experiencing significant pain or bleeding, contact your doctor immediately, particularly if you are also experiencing fever or stomach discomfort.

Your doctor will begin with a physical examination and a review of your medical history. External hemorrhoids are often identified with a visual exam.

When should I see a doctor about piles?

Internal hemorrhoids may be identified with a digital rectal exam or an anoscopy, which is a procedure in which a device called an anoscope is introduced into the rectum and used to inspect the affected region.

If medical treatment for hemorrhoids is required, “we may employ different methods to cut off the blood supply and/or induce scar tissue to grow, both of which cause hemorrhoid to shrink,” she expanded rare situations, a surgeon may perform a cordectomy to remove massive external hemorrhoids and prolapsing internal hemorrhoids that have grown in size and become painful.

How A Doctor Can Help?

Hemorrhoids may be alleviated or eliminated with the use of medical treatments and procedures, which your doctor can advise you on. These treatments may sometimes be performed in the doctor’s office with little pain.

Medicated lotions and potions. When over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments don’t cut it, physicians might prescribe harsher ointments.

  • Surgery with a little incision. Some minimally invasive medical treatments may be performed by a doctor in the comfort of their own office or an outpatient surgical facility, and they seldom need the use of general anesthesia or take a long time to recover from. Rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy injections, and laser/infrared coagulation therapy are just a few of the many methods that fall under this category.
  • Thrombectomy. If hemorrhoid becomes infected or forms a blood clot, the doctor may recommend removal by external hemorrhoid thrombectomy. Successful thrombectomy procedures are often carried out within 72 hours after the onset of life-threatening symptoms.
  • Surgery. If non-surgical methods have failed or if your hemorrhoids are very big, you do have surgical choices. Discuss your options with your doctor, including surgery, if you have tried other treatments without success.