DEAR DOCTOR K: please help — I have hemorrhoids. What’s the best way to treat them?

DEAR READER: Hemorrhoids are clusters of veins in the lowest part of the rectum and anus that become swollen and distended.

You can have hemorrhoids without any symptoms. but hemorrhoids can also have very unpleasant symptoms — rectal pain, itching, soiling and bleeding. Hemorrhoids are rarely dangerous, however, and there are many treatment options.

Hemorrhoid symptoms can also be caused by other conditions, including anal warts and fissures, Crohn’s disease and (rarely) anal cancer. So if you have persistent bothersome symptoms that you think are caused by hemorrhoids, it’s wise to see your doctor.

There are several helpful home treatments. the first thing you should do is boost the fiber in your diet. Eat high-fiber foods (such as prunes, pears, beans, bran cereals and oatmeal), take a fiber supplement (there are many varieties available in drugstores), or both. Fiber softens stools and makes them easier to pass. this reduces pressure on hemorrhoids, which in turn reduces the risk of bleeding, inflammation and swelling. make sure to take fiber with plenty of fluids.

Exercise is another important home remedy for hemorrhoids. take a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day, at least five days a week. Not only does this have a powerfully positive effect on your health, it also is a great way to stimulate your bowels.

When you feel the urge, go to the bathroom immediately; don’t wait for a more convenient time. Waiting can cause your bowels to back up, leading to increased pressure and straining.

Sitz baths can relieve itching, irritation and muscle spasm. A sitz bath is a warm water bath for the buttocks. Sit in a regular bathtub with a few inches of warm water, or buy a small plastic tub that fits over a toilet seat. Try a 20-minute sitz bath after each bowel movement and an additional two or three times a day. (This works best if you’re retired.) Afterward, gently pat the area dry.

Over-the-counter pain-relief creams can temporarily soothe pain, irritation and itching. Witch hazel wipes (Tucks) are soothing and have no harmful effects. A small ice pack placed against the anal area for a few minutes may also help.

Finally, sitting on cushions rather than hard surfaces can help reduce swelling.

If the treatments I’ve discussed don’t help, talk to your doctor. You may benefit from a simple outpatient procedure to treat hemorrhoids. One procedure involves rubber rings tightened around the hemorrhoid. Other procedures, using lasers or infrared light, heat the hemorrhoids, causing them to shrink. Injecting a chemical into the hemorrhoids (called sclerotherapy) also can shrink them. if your symptoms continue despite these measures, you may need minor surgery to remove your hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids are among the most common “minor maladies of man.” the good news is that, most of the time, simple home remedies can give you great relief.

Dr. Komaroff is a physician and professor at Harvard Medical School. Go to his website to send questions and get additional information: AskDoctorK.com.

At some point in your life, you’ll likely expertise hemorrhoids. The majority of all people encounter hemorrhoid symptoms at some stage in their lives and for most people, they represent a short lived annoyance. Hemorrhoids occur when veins in the anal area grow to be swollen, which may happen for any one of several reasons. The scenario is not life-threatening at all, but that does not make hemorrhoids any less uncomfortable. Considering that you’re very likely to experience hemorrhoids at some point in your life, it may be helpful to know what the symptoms are so that you can recognize them when they arrive.

The most common hemorrhoid symptoms that individuals experience are:

Discomfort from sitting for a long period of time of time. Inflamed veins can become irritated from long term sitting and this may lead to pain in the anal area.

Itchiness in the rectal area is a common hemorrhoid symptom.

Bleeding in the anal area, especially after wiping after a bowel movement. Blood loss is the result of ruptured veins that make up hemorrhoidal tissue. Blood loss may also be a sign of another, more severe medical condition, so should you encounter rectal bleeding you ought to visit a medical professional to look for the cause.

Pain throughout a bowel movement can be a sign of hemorrhoids, which frequently arise as a result of straining. A diet that is high in fiber may help soften the stools and reduce constipation. really, a fiber-rich diet is great for a lot of things, so having one is a good idea whether you’ve got hemorrhoids or not.

Veins sticking out from the rectal area is a notable symptom. this situation might require surgical treatment to correct, though surgery isn’t overly common for hemorrhoids.

In case you encounter any of these symptoms, you will should address them. The usual treatments for hemorrhoids include:

Long hot baths. these can alleviate the discomfort and can help with swelling. you may need to take a bath a number of times a day in cases of serious discomfort.

High-fiber diet. A diet that is high in whole grains, beans, vegetables, and fruit can help prevent bowel irregularity, which is a common contributor to hemorrhoids. Attempt to eat meat and dairy products sparingly, and be sure to get plenty of fluids. as with a high-fiber diet, increased daily water consumption is greatly good for you regardless of whether or not you have hemorrhoids.

There are numerous of over the counter products which can help treat the discomfort and symptoms of hemorrhoids. Your medical professional may also be in a position to recommend one of a number of products that may help.

Surgery is rarely required but is required approximately 10% of the time. Success rates are rather good for these procedures.

If your symptoms continue for more than a few weeks you should see your medical doctor. A few symptoms that may appear to be hemorrhoids may be symptoms of a more serious condition. Furthermore, your medical doctor might be able to prescribe some stronger medicine that will help you feel more suitable.

Hemorrhoid symptoms are uncomfortable, but they are not life-threatening and should go away with proper treatment.

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Angelina Glickstein has been involved in Internet marketing for a number of years.