Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum or anus that are itchy and painful. Although anyone can get hemorrhoids, they are very common among women before and after childbirth. If you know the symptoms and causes of hemorrhoids, you may be able to detect them early and then treat them at home. However, in some cases that are quite severe, hemorrhoids require professional medical treatment. See Step 1 onwards to learn more about hemorrhoids.
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Method 1 of 3: Identifying Common Symptoms
Step 1. Identify anal itching or pain
This is the most common symptom as well as a very annoying one for hemorrhoid sufferers. Swollen blood vessels often ooze mucus which irritates the skin around the anus and causes itching. In addition, you may also feel pain in the area when walking or sitting.
- Hemorrhoids can be internal or external and internal hemorrhoids are the cause of the itching.
- Both types of hemorrhoids are generally painful but in some cases, internal hemorrhoids may not even cause any pain.
Step 2. Watch for pain when you have a bowel movement
Patients with hemorrhoids often feel severe pain during bowel movements, which is when pressure appears in the anal and rectal area. In addition to feeling pain, some people state the sensation of wanting to go back to defecate quickly, even though the stomach has been emptied.
Step 3. Identify the bleeding
Fresh red blood in the toilet bowl or toilet paper could be an indication that you have internal or external hemorrhoids. Bleeding can occur even when you don't feel pain or itching. Since rectal bleeding is a symptom of several serious diseases such as colon cancer and rectal cancer, you should immediately consult a doctor if you experience continuous bleeding, it is not enough to just associate it with hemorrhoids.
Step 4. Identify the lump
Blood that clots under the skin causes hemorrhoids caused by blood clots. These lumps are generally hard and very painful. The lump can occur either inside or outside the rectum.
Step 5. Identify the swelling
External hemorrhoids cause the anal area to swell and become tender. This can occur due to the formation of thrombosis. If the anal area swells, this is an indication of hemorrhoids. Check the advanced hemorrhoid risk factors below to determine your condition.
Method 2 of 3: Know Your Risk
Step 1. Check your bowel habits
The biggest cause of hemorrhoids is frequent straining too hard during bowel movements. This puts pressure on the blood vessels in the rectum and anus, causing swelling, pain and discomfort that can be quite irritating. If you don't have regular bowel movements or if you often have difficulty with bowel movements, you will generally strain more often. Think about your bowel habits and determine if you are at risk of developing hemorrhoids.
Excessive pressure will cause internal hemorrhoids to pop out through the anus, a condition called hemorrhoids that protrude or fall
Step 2. Make sure if you are often constipated
Constipation causes a feeling of "stuffing," which causes people to strain during a bowel movement. If you have trouble having regular bowel movements, you will strain during bowel movements to get the substance out of your system more quickly.
Step 3. Notice if you often sit for long periods of time
Sitting all day puts more pressure on the anal area thereby triggering hemorrhoids. Someone who used to drive for long hours, work in the office while sitting or someone who can't move freely for other reasons is generally at high risk of developing hemorrhoids. Monitor your daily habits to determine if sitting too long is the source of the problem.
Step 4. Watch out for other conditions that can cause hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can also be triggered by other conditions that cause pressure and irritate the anal and rectal area such as anal infections which can affect the surrounding tissue causing hemorrhoids.
Step 5. Notice if pregnancy may be associated with any of the symptoms
Excessive straining causes pregnant women to have a higher risk of developing hemorrhoids. This is known as a temporary problem and usually won't continue after the baby is born.
Method 3 of 3: Treating Hemorrhoids
Step 1. Using witch hazel
It contains substances that can help to reduce swelling and irritation. Dip a cotton swab in witch hazel and rub it on the affected area. Let it dry for a while. If you don't want to use pure witch hazel, you can buy a cream that contains witch hazel.
Step 2. Use an over-the-counter pain cream
There are a number of creams that are quite effective at treating hemorrhoids - so many that in most cases, people who use them don't need to see a doctor. Look for the following creams at drugstores:
- Corticosteroid creams can reduce itching and swelling.
- Creams containing lidocaine can also reduce pain.
Step 3. Use a stool softener
Since bowel movements can be very painful when you have hemorrhoids, it can be helpful to use a stool softener. This medicine causes you to not have to push too hard during a bowel movement, which puts excessive pressure on the anus and rectum. Using a stool softener can also combat the tendency to strain while on the toilet.
Step 4. Avoid using scented toilet paper and other irritants
Perfumes, dyes, abrasive toilet paper, and other irritants can make hemorrhoids worse. Use soft, white toilet paper or even cotton if you are very sensitive. Also avoid wearing pants or stockings that are too tight.
Step 5. Use loose cotton underwear
Soft cotton underwear allows air to flow in and out of the painful area to prevent irritation of the hemorrhoids from getting worse and painful. Wearing underwear made of synthetic fabrics can trap moisture in the area. In addition, wearing tight underwear or strappy underwear will be very uncomfortable and annoying when you have hemorrhoids.
Step 6. Try a sitz bath
This method of bathing can relieve pain and discomfort when suffering from hemorrhoids. Fill the tub with warm (not hot) water and sit in it for about 15 minutes. Do not add soap or foaming liquid as they may irritate the hemorrhoids. However, you can add witch hazel to add a healing effect to the soaking water.
Step 7. Seek medical help if needed
If the symptoms of your hemorrhoids do not seem to subside after undergoing home treatment and if the symptoms do not go away after a week or so, you should see a doctor immediately to see if you need medical treatment to treat the problem. Quite a lot of cases of hemorrhoids are successfully cured with home treatments, besides if you are persistent, you will not have to feel discomfort for a long time.
- In addition, the fact that the hemorrhoid doesn't go away may be an indication of a deeper problem, such as bleeding from somewhere other than the tip of the rectum or anus.
- Heat treatment and surgery are also commonly used to treat severe hemorrhoids.
Tips
- There are a number of home remedies that you can use, such as peppermint oil in the shower or tea tree oil mixed with olive oil and then applied to the affected area for short-term relief.
- You are strongly advised to seek a professional opinion from a doctor or nurse if you have hemorrhoids so that they can provide the best treatment either with prescription drugs or using over-the-counter medications so that the irritation caused by the disease can be addressed immediately.
