Hemorrhoids, also called piles, can form inside or outside the rectum. Both types of hemorrhoids are caused by enlarged blood vessels in a weak area on the inside or the entrance of the rectum, will not burst, but can bleed. Hemorrhoids cause pain and discomfort. This condition is quite common, especially after childbirth. Fortunately, with home remedies and lifestyle choices, you can reduce the itching and pain associated with hemorrhoids.
Step
Method 1 of 5: Understanding Hemorrhoids
Step 1. Know how hemorrhoids form
Hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure in the veins in the anus or rectum. The pressure makes weak blood vessels weaker, which makes them swell, either inside the rectum or outside the body near the anus. Hemorrhoids are experienced by many women who are pregnant because of the extra weight and pressure from the baby.
- Pregnancy also increases the risk of constipation, which is a risk factor for hemorrhoids.
- Most women feel that their hemorrhoids go away after delivery, but they still need treatment and can come back a few weeks later.
Step 2. Pay attention to the risk factors
The increased risk of hemorrhoids is usually caused by pressure. Risk factors that contribute to increased pressure in the rectal area are pregnancy, obesity, straining during bowel movements, constipation, anal sex, lifting heavy objects, lifting weights, and sitting on the toilet for a long time. People who do or engage in these activities are likely to develop hemorrhoids. To reduce the chance of hemorrhoids or relieve their symptoms, reduce the weight or frequency of these activities.
- Pay attention to how to prevent constipation or not to stand for long in one place while pregnant. Do not gain more weight than your gynecologist recommends.
- Do not lift heavy objects at work or home without assistance. Find someone to help or use mechanical assistance if possible.
- Don't have anal intercourse. Anal sex stretches the rectum more than its normal capacity and puts additional pressure on the veins of the anus and rectum.
Step 3. Recognize the symptoms
Hemorrhoids are common in pregnant women, but they are the same type that happens to anyone. The only difference is the type of pressure that triggers its formation. Hemorrhoids will lump around the anus, which is often sensitive or painful to the touch. Symptoms of hemorrhoids are:
- Itching, irritation, and discomfort around the anus due to inflammation of the swollen blood vessels.
- Swelling the size of a pea
- Pain when defecating without blood and pain around the anus when not defecating
- Light bleeding due to the pressure of dirt on the blood vessels
- Uncomfortable feeling
- Stool leaks into the underwear from the anus, which does not close completely when the hemorrhoid is near the entrance to the rectum.
Step 4. Talk to a doctor
Taking medication for hemorrhoids can affect the baby if you haven't given birth yet. The drug will affect breast milk, and it can also affect the baby. Before using over-the-counter medications or natural herbal supplements, talk to your doctor and pharmacist about the risks.
Although unable to prescribe medications, pharmacists have a lot of knowledge about drug interactions, their side effects, and when to use them
Method 2 of 5: Using Home Remedies
Step 1. Use an ice pack
Swollen blood vessels due to hemorrhoids can shrink if given a cold compress which helps reduce swelling and pain. Apply ice wrapped in a washcloth or thin towel to the anus. Don't apply the compress for more than 10 to 15 minutes to prevent the anus from getting too cold, but you can do it several times a day.
Cold compresses can also reduce pain and swelling from the stitches if you had an episiotomy during delivery
Step 2. Try a sitz bath
A sitz bath is a small, shallow tub that can be attached to the toilet, for you to sit in after filling with water. This tool can be purchased at the pharmacy. To use it, fill a sitz bath with enough warm water and sit for about 20 minutes after each bowel movement. You can do this two to four times a day to help reduce pain and discomfort due to hemorrhoids. This method helps reduce irritation, muscle spasms, and itching.
- Pat the rectal area dry with a soft towel, but do not rub or wipe vigorously. If your hemorrhoids hurt, try using a hairdryer on the lowest setting to dry the sensitive area.
- If you don't have a sitz bath, fill the tub with enough warm water and soak in it for 20 minutes.
- If you had an episiotomy during delivery, talk about whether you should use a sitz bath. Extra moisture can affect the stitches, and how often to use a sitz bath varies depending on the type of stitch the doctor has.
Step 3. Make sure the anal area is always clean and dry
Avoiding irritants and getting wet in the hemorrhoid area can make you feel better. Keep the skin in the hemorrhoidal area clean and make sure it remains dry. Take a daily bath with warm water to clean the skin. Avoid using too much soap or soaps that contain alcohol or perfume as they can exacerbate the problem caused by hemorrhoids. Using the wrong soap can cause itching, swelling, and irritation. After showering, pat the area dry.
This step is also useful for treating sutures after an episiotomy
Step 4. Use wet wipes
So that the body is always clean between showers, use a wet tissue after a bowel movement to clean yourself. You can buy baby or adult wipes, but make sure they don't contain alcohol or perfume.
Do not use dry toilet paper. If you don't have wet wipes, wet regular toilet paper. Use plain white tissue as the printed pattern can irritate the hemorrhoidal area
Step 5. Do not linger in the bathroom
To help reduce hemorrhoid pain, don't sit on the toilet for long periods of time. This position will increase the pressure in the veins in the rectum. Get the toilet done as quickly as possible, unless you need more time. Don't read the newspaper, check the phone, or leave the baby behind.
Step 6. Try witch hazel
To soothe irritated skin and reduce discomfort due to hemorrhoids, use witch hazel. Wet a cotton swab with witch hazel and place it on the hemorrhoids. Some say that refrigerating witch hazel before using it will increase its efficiency.
Witch hazel is an astringent from the deciduous tree that is commonly used to treat skin problems, but is also evaluated as an antioxidant and antitumor
Step 7. Try a pain reliever
Hemorrhoids cause pain and discomfort so over-the-counter medications can help. Acetaminophen (Tylenol) and ibuprofen (Advil) can temporarily relieve pain and discomfort.
Do not take pain medication for more than a day or two. This medication is a temporary solution. As a long-term solution, use more natural methods, such as cold compresses, sitz baths, and regular self-cleaning, to reduce pain and swelling
Step 8. Use hemorrhoid cream
Before using over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams, which are also available in suppository form, talk to your doctor about side effects or other problems that may arise. Hemorrhoid creams can reduce itching and discomfort. Most over-the-counter suppositories and creams contain 1% hydrocortisone cream, which helps reduce inflammation, itching, and pain.
- Follow the directions on the package for the right dose of cream at the right time.
- Talk to your doctor about using this product while pregnant or breastfeeding.
Method 3 of 5: Avoid Constipation Naturally
Step 1. Study the effects of constipation
Constipation has a very bad effect on hemorrhoids. Constipation is one of the main causes of hemorrhoids, meaning hemorrhoids will also get worse. This condition increases the pressure in the blood vessels so that they become enlarged, irritated, and potentially bleed.
Step 2. Exercise
Physical activity can also activate the digestive system. Do exercise every day to prevent constipation. Exercise will make food move through the intestines at the right time and naturally. Find an activity you enjoy, such as yoga, pilates, or jogging, to make exercising every day easier.
Talk to your doctor about how much physical activity you can do after delivery
Step 3. Go to the bathroom if you have to
When you feel the urge to defecate, go to the bathroom immediately. Don't suppress the urge. The longer feces accumulate in the intestines, the more water is excreted. Dirt will be more difficult to get out and the pressure will increase.
Even if you feel uncomfortable having a bowel movement when you're at the mall or at the office, it's a natural process and delaying it can be bad for your health
Step 4. Keep your body hydrated
The more water in your body, the softer your stools will be. Drink lots of water so that the urine is bright yellow. This varies from person to person. If your urine is almost clear white, you are very hydrated. If it's dark yellow, you should drink a lot. Dehydration makes the body draw water from food waste and waste to increase the amount of water to the heart and brain.
Step 5. Eat high-fiber foods
Fiber-rich foods make stools more moist. This will make bowel movements easier and help prevent constipation. Avoid processed foods that are low in fiber and can cause constipation, such as french fries, donuts, white bread, foods made with white flour, and potato chips. Choose high-fiber foods, such as:
- Vegetable
- Fruit
- Dried fruit, such as figs and raisins
- Peas
- Nuts
- Grains
Step 6. Take probiotics
Probiotic supplements can reduce constipation. Probiotics increase the number of good bacteria needed for the digestive process and the formation of feces. Probiotics should be taken with food and are usually recommended to be taken with breakfast.
- Although some types of yogurt contain probiotics, usually yogurt contains a lot of sugar and encourages the growth of bad bacteria. Check the sugar content on the yogurt label. In fact, plain Greek yogurt can also contain a lot of sugar.
- There are no rules for probiotic supplements. So, make sure the supplement you choose is the product of a trusted company that promotes their testing procedures. Ask your doctor before using it, especially when pregnant or breastfeeding.
Method 4 of 5: Take Medication to Treat Constipation
Step 1. Talk to your doctor about medication
You should only use over-the-counter constipation medications after consulting your doctor. The doctor will suggest other methods at first. The way constipation drugs work is different. Each has a different strength and the dosage depends on the circumstances. Read the directions on the package to make sure you are taking the correct dose and at the recommended intervals.
Consult your doctor if you have not given birth or are breastfeeding
Step 2. Try a dirt-forming agent
This medication helps to retain more water in the stool and makes it easier to pass stool. Take this medication with water otherwise it will cause a blockage in the intestines. The most widely used over-the-counter brands are Citrucel, Fibercon, and Metamucil.
- Intestinal or esophageal obstruction can occur when you don't drink enough water. The powder of this agent sticks to the esophagus or intestines and blocks the passage of feces.
- You may notice a change in your bowel routine or a slight bloating when using this product.
Step 3. Use an osmotic agent or stool softener
This product helps retain fluids in stools. Side effects of osmotic agents include dehydration and mineral imbalance. Examples are Milk of Magnesia and Miralax.
An example of a stool softener, prescription or over-the-counter, is Colace and Docusate. Side effects are bloating and cramping, skin rashes, and a dangerous drop in magnesium levels when used in excess to treat constipation during pregnancy
Step 4. Try a lubricating laxative
Lubricants here are drugs that coat the outside of the feces that are in the intestines. Lubricating laxatives help soften dirt so it's easier to expel. Examples of brands are Fleets Enemas and Zymenol.
Step 5. Consider a topical pain reliever
Try a cream that combines lidocaine and hydrocortisone, which can be applied to hemorrhoids and numbs pain and reduces itching. You can apply this cream twice a day for no more than seven to ten days.
Method 5 of 5: Seeking Medical Help
Step 1. Watch for blood to come out
After delivery, hemorrhoids usually go away with home treatments. However, if you feel severe pain or see a few drops of blood in your underwear, see a doctor immediately. You might think the cause is hemorrhoids, but the blood may be from bleeding in the intestines, and it could be a symptom of a more serious condition such as bowel cancer.
You also need to find out if the blood is coming from the uterus after delivery. If you can't tell the difference, put a pad in the vagina and a special towel around the anus. If there are a few drops of blood from the hemorrhoids, talk to your doctor
Step 2. Check for anemia
Complications that arise from chronic bleeding hemorrhoids are anemia. Although rare, chronic blood loss will reduce blood volume so that oxygen cannot be delivered to cells. You will feel tired and tense in the heart muscle. If you have chronic fatigue that is not related to sleep deprivation, talk to your doctor about a blood test to check the oxygen-carrying capacity of your blood.
You may also experience mild anemia after giving birth. It is caused by the discharge of blood and tissue from the uterus
Step 3. Watch out for pinched hemorrhoids
Pinched hemorrhoids form when the blood supply to the hemorrhoid is cut off. This condition causes extreme pain, pus formation, tissue death, or gangrene. This is a medical emergency and requires immediate treatment. The doctor must renew the blood supply to the area to avoid infection in the dead tissue.
Step 4. Watch for blood clots
Hemorrhoids can also form blood clots in the veins. It causes extreme pain and is excruciating. This condition is called thrombosed hemorrhoids. See a doctor right away to treat the clot. The clot may have to be surgically removed or removed from the vein through an outpatient procedure.
Doctors can also help control pain and avoid further complications
Tips
- Prevention is the best hemorrhoid medicine. Recognize the triggers that form hemorrhoids during pregnancy and try to avoid them.
- Use home remedies to reduce pain and discomfort due to hemorrhoids. If home remedies are not effective after a few days, you should consult a doctor and consider minor surgery to reduce symptoms and control bleeding.
