What Are the Over the Counter Treatments For Hemorrhoids? Do They Work?
Over-the-Counter Treatments for Hemorrhoids If you suffer from hemorrhoids, then you know they can be downright painful, and even debilitating.
The most common cause of hemorrhoids is chronic constipation, either because of a poor diet or changes in digestion and metabolism due to pregnancy or aging.
Straining to pass bowel movements exerts pressure on the veins in the rectum, causing them to bulge and become itchy, irritated, and inflamed.
Other symptoms of hemorrhoids include a sense of urgency, even when you truly don't need to have a bowel movement, and blood in the stool.
Bright red blood is most common with external hemorrhoids that bulge at the surface of the anus.
Darker blood could indicate internal hemorrhoids, but it may also indicate a more serious problem, so you should see your doctor if you experience dark blood in the stool.
There are a number of ways to get treatment for hemorrhoids, including topical medications, suppositories, prescription medicines, and in severe cases, surgery.
The best way to treat hemorrhoids is to make dietary and lifestyle changes to avoid the need to strain to pass a bowel movement.
But, lifestyle changes tend to work gently over a period of time.
If you're dealing with the discomfort of hemorrhoids, then you'll want to understand the options that are available to you now for immediate relief.
Topical, over-the-counter treatments for hemorrhoids are certainly the most common.
Preparation H is perhaps the best known brand of hemorrhoid treatment cream.
These creams work by helping dull the pain and itch of hemorrhoids.
However, this is mostly a band-aid solution, since it doesn't get to the root of the problem.
Over-the-counter creams may work as a temporary solution to help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms, but you cannot rely on them as a long term solution.
A more natural way to get immediate relief from hemorrhoids is to soak in a lukewarm sitz bath.
Meanwhile, you should be drinking plenty of clear fluids, and eating a diet that is rich in fibrous fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
This will help prevent dry, compact, hard to pass stools.
It can take a while for your body to adjust to this routine, but once you do, your hemorrhoids should bother you significantly less often.
It's also important to make sure you clean yourself properly, since poor hygiene can exacerbate the itch and irritation that accompanies hemorrhoids.
Try using soft wet-wipes to thoroughly clean the area.
You can also apply witch hazel topically to the area using a cotton ball, since this will provide a measure of cooling relief from hemorrhoid symptoms.
In addition to lifestyle changes, over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments, and sitz baths, you should know that there are natural hemorrhoid remedies available that can help you get relief from hemorrhoids much faster than you otherwise would.
The main thing to consider when evaluating any type of treatment for hemorrhoids is whether or not it will get to the root of the problem, or whether it only provides temporary relief.
While there is a place for temporary relief of symptoms, you'll want to deal with the cause of the problem so that you can get permanent relief from hemorrhoids.
The most common cause of hemorrhoids is chronic constipation, either because of a poor diet or changes in digestion and metabolism due to pregnancy or aging.
Straining to pass bowel movements exerts pressure on the veins in the rectum, causing them to bulge and become itchy, irritated, and inflamed.
Other symptoms of hemorrhoids include a sense of urgency, even when you truly don't need to have a bowel movement, and blood in the stool.
Bright red blood is most common with external hemorrhoids that bulge at the surface of the anus.
Darker blood could indicate internal hemorrhoids, but it may also indicate a more serious problem, so you should see your doctor if you experience dark blood in the stool.
There are a number of ways to get treatment for hemorrhoids, including topical medications, suppositories, prescription medicines, and in severe cases, surgery.
The best way to treat hemorrhoids is to make dietary and lifestyle changes to avoid the need to strain to pass a bowel movement.
But, lifestyle changes tend to work gently over a period of time.
If you're dealing with the discomfort of hemorrhoids, then you'll want to understand the options that are available to you now for immediate relief.
Topical, over-the-counter treatments for hemorrhoids are certainly the most common.
Preparation H is perhaps the best known brand of hemorrhoid treatment cream.
These creams work by helping dull the pain and itch of hemorrhoids.
However, this is mostly a band-aid solution, since it doesn't get to the root of the problem.
Over-the-counter creams may work as a temporary solution to help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms, but you cannot rely on them as a long term solution.
A more natural way to get immediate relief from hemorrhoids is to soak in a lukewarm sitz bath.
Meanwhile, you should be drinking plenty of clear fluids, and eating a diet that is rich in fibrous fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
This will help prevent dry, compact, hard to pass stools.
It can take a while for your body to adjust to this routine, but once you do, your hemorrhoids should bother you significantly less often.
It's also important to make sure you clean yourself properly, since poor hygiene can exacerbate the itch and irritation that accompanies hemorrhoids.
Try using soft wet-wipes to thoroughly clean the area.
You can also apply witch hazel topically to the area using a cotton ball, since this will provide a measure of cooling relief from hemorrhoid symptoms.
In addition to lifestyle changes, over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments, and sitz baths, you should know that there are natural hemorrhoid remedies available that can help you get relief from hemorrhoids much faster than you otherwise would.
The main thing to consider when evaluating any type of treatment for hemorrhoids is whether or not it will get to the root of the problem, or whether it only provides temporary relief.
While there is a place for temporary relief of symptoms, you'll want to deal with the cause of the problem so that you can get permanent relief from hemorrhoids.