Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids

If you've ever felt the discomfort from hemorrhoids, you're not alone. As many as 75 percent of adults may experience the symptoms of hemorrhoids. But talking about it is another problem.

The good news? For many, home remedies for hemorrhoids can treat many of the discomfort and symptoms.

What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum that can cause itching, pain, bleeding and discomfort. Hemorrhoids may be located inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids), or they may develop under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids).

The older we get the more prone we are to developing hemorrhoids because the surrounding tissues may stretch and weaken with age.

What Causes Hemorrhoids?

Common causes of hemorrhoids in adults include:

• Excessive straining during bowel movements or sitting on a toilet for long periods of time
• A low-fiber diet
• Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
• Prolonged diarrhea or constipation
• Obesity
• Regularly lifting heavy objects

Pregnant women also are prone to hemorrhoids due to the added pressure in the pelvic region.

Hemorrhoids are more likely to occur with aging because the tissues that support the veins in your rectum and anus can weaken and stretch. Once the hemorrhoid is enlarged, it no longer functions properly and can result in bleeding, pain, leakage and odor. 

What Are Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids?

There are two basic types of hemorrhoids: external, which develop under the skin around the anus and cause the most discomfort, and internal, those that develop inside the rectum. While internal hemorrhoids rarely cause pain, they can, like external hemorrhoids, result in troublesome bleeding, typically showing up bright red on bathroom tissue.

"For the vast majority of patients, simple preventive steps can alleviate the bleeding and discomfort of hemorrhoids within a few days," said Paul Broderick, DO, a board-certified proctologist at Franciscan Physician Network Central Indiana Proctology.

Home remedies for hemorrhoids may include:

1. Drinking more water and liquids such as fruit juice and broth-based soups to increase hydration and soften stools
2. Eating foods high in fiber, which can help soften stools
3. Reducing time spent sitting on a toilet
4. Staying active for a healthy digestive tract
5. Taking over-the-counter pain relievers for pain, like Tylenol, aspirin or ibuprofen
6. Soaking in a warm bath or sitz bath. Soap isn't necessary and may aggravate the problem.
7. Using moist towelettes or wet toilet paper that doesn't contain perfume or alcohol. Steer clear of alcohol-based wipes or those with perfume.
8. Using a topical cream with hydrocortisone to temporarily ease swelling. Don't use hydrocortisone cream for more than a week unless your doctor says.
9. Applying a cold pack on the trouble spot several times a day. It can dull the pain and bring down swelling temporarily.
10. Taking a stool softener or fiber supplement.

Additionally, not straining during bowel movements or sitting on the toilet for long periods of time may help.

Do Hemorrhoids Go Away On Their Own?

"The hemorrhoids conditions itself may not go away, but the swelling, inflammation and other related symptoms may fade with some effort," Dr. Broderick said.

When Should I Call My Doctor About Hemorrhoids?

If symptoms of hemorrhoids continue for more than a week despite using home remedies, or if you don't get relief or if you have severe pain or bleeding, call your doctor to discuss treatment options and to rule out other concerns like colon or rectal cancer. Once hemorrhoids reach a certain size, prescription medicine, physician office procedures or surgical treatment may be necessary.

"While it may be an embarrassing topic for patients to bring up, I tell them, there's no shame in admitting to discomfort," Dr. Broderick said.

Medication or an outpatient procedure may be recommended, including banding/ ligation or an infrared procedure to treat internal hemorrhoids. In severe cases, surgery will be recommended for external hemorrhoids.

"For most patients, hemorrhoids are easy to manage and rarely require surgery," said Frederick R. Lane, MD, with Indiana Colon & Rectal Specialists, a Franciscan Physician Network practice. "It's important to remember, however, that bleeding should never be ignored and needs to be evaluated by a specialist."