External Hemorrhoids: Treatment

Anatomically hemorrhoids refer to "Cushions of tissue filled with blood vessels at the junction of the rectum and the anus." Basically hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the form of soft lumps that gradually harden just outside the anus opening. Depending upon the type (external or internal), the lumps could be small or big, with or without blood clots. If left untreated, external hemorrhoids can become quite a painful nuisance. Before getting into the subject of treatment of external hemorrhoids, let me tell you about their causes and symptoms.

External Hemorrhoids

Causes and Symptoms
Hemorrhoids occur when too much pressure is applied on the rectum for bowel movements. The pressure stretches and bulges the walls of the veins and in most cases ends up rupturing them. Pressure is applied on the rectum due to constipation or hard stools, diarrhea, during childbirth, liver cirrhosis, sitting on the toilet seat for a long time and continuously straining. Coughing, obesity and anal intercourse can also cause external hemorrhoids. The symptoms of external hemorrhoids include pain, burning, rectal itching, blood clots, bleeding stools, soft lumps felt at the anal opening, etc. Pain and soreness tend to spread to the entire anal area.

Treatment
Once a person experiences any of the above symptoms of external hemorrhoid, they should immediately seek treatment. External hemorrhoids are easily diagnosed by a visual rectal examination.

Medication and surgery are the two ways of treating external hemorrhoids. Medications are given either to relieve pain or shrink the hemorrhoids. Surgery is mostly scheduled after conducting all preliminary tests required for surgeries. There are several hemorrhoid surgery methods to remove or reduce the size of hemorrhoids. Some of them are listed below.

• Infrared coagulation is a technique wherein the hemorrhoid tissue is burnt using an infrared device like a laser.
• Sclerotherapy, a chemical solution is injected directly into the hemorrhoid. It reacts with blood flow inside the hemorrhoid and constricts it, shrinking the external hemorrhoid.
• Hemorrhoidectomy is a recommended treatment of external hemorrhoids in severe cases. In this procedure, hemorrhoids are permanently removed with the help of a scalpel or laser.
• Rubber band ligation is another procedure wherein a band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid inside the rectum. This process constricts the blood circulation and gradually shrinks and dries the hemorrhoid.
• In some surgeries, a retractor is used to expose and remove the hemorrhoidal tissue. Other tissues are surgically sealed to avoid the spread of infection.

Common home remedies for treating external hemorrhoids include sitting in tub of warm water or applying ice packs around the anal area. For the warm water therapy, fill in a tub with lukewarm water, and sit in for 15 to 20 minutes or until the water is warm, whichever is earlier. For the ice pack therapy, add a few ice cubes in a cloth and apply it gently all over the anal area for five to ten minutes. Repeat both procedures separately for a few days and continue with the one that provides more relief. Make sure you dry the anal area completely as wetness may lead to itching and aggravate the hemorrhoids. Apply soothing creams or lubricants to avoid pain and irritation while passing motions. Stool softeners can also be used which are mostly available as over-the-counter medications.

As diet plays an important part in all functions of our body, it can be used as a natural treatment of hemorrhoids. Eat a fiber-rich diet consisting of cereals and whole grains, fruits and vegetables. Processed food that is full of fat should be avoided. Restrict the intake of aerated drinks as they lead to indigestion. Junk food, alcohol and smoking add to the aggravation of the external hemorrhoids. Drinking lots of water will make the bowel movement smooth, thereby reducing the pain.

Treatment should not be ignored or left halfway once a person experiences relief. It takes very little time for the hemorrhoid to regrow and swell up. Before starting on any treatment at home, it is best to have the hemorrhoid tested by a doctor.