Whether you knew it or not, you’ve always had hemorrhoids. In fact, we all have hemorrhoids — even newborn babies. By definition, hemorrhoids are veins that feed hemorrhoidal tissue around the anus, which helps hold stool in place until you’re ready to defecate.
But when those hemorrhoids become swollen, boy do you notice them. Enlarged, swollen hemorrhoids can cause pain, bleeding, and a feeling of discomfort. Hemorrhoids can occur inside the anus (i.e., internal hemorrhoids), protrude from the anus, or develop outside the anus (i.e., external hemorrhoids).
Once you become aware of your hemorrhoids, you probably can’t wait until you can forget about them again. In the meantime, if you experience any kind of anal bleeding, don’t assume it’s just hemorrhoids. Consult a colorectal expert so they can rule out serious conditions, such as colorectal cancer.
At Colon and Rectal Surgeons of Greater Hartford in Bloomfield and South Windsor, we take hemorrhoids seriously. Our highly trained and expert colorectal surgeons also want you to avoid unnecessary procedures. If you do need surgery, we try to choose the least invasive means possible.
How can you improve hemorrhoid pain without surgery? Following are three noninvasive approaches to hemorrhoid treatment.
“Sitz” is the German word for bath. So, a sitz bath is basically a bath bath. Because you’re primarily interested in treating your hemorrhoids, you don’t need more than a few inches of water in your tub.
Or, if you prefer, you can get a special sitz bath basin that fits underneath your toilet seat. In either case, fill your bath with warm (not hot) water for about 20 minutes after each bowel movement.
In addition, you should take another sitz bath 2-3 times per day. The warm water helps with irritation, itching, and pain. Pat yourself dry afterward to avoid irritation, or use a hair dryer on a warm setting. Follow with hemorrhoid cream or other soothing remedy.
Fiber is one of the catchwords in diet these days. How can you get more fiber to make your stools bulkier, silkier, and easier to pass? You can add fiber supplements, such as psyllium husks or Metamucil® to your foods or drinks. Also be sure to eat more real foods with more fiber, such as:
If you’ve had a low fiber diet up until now, take it slowly. Too much fiber all at once may cause bloating if your body’s not used to processing it. Also be sure to drink plenty of healthy liquids, such as water, unsweetened tea, and some coffee.
Straining while defecating is one of the causes of swollen hemorrhoids. While everybody feels pressed for time, you need to honor your body’s rhythms and give yourself the time and space to defecate properly and healthily.
First, take time to go to the bathroom when the urge strikes. Delaying defecation because of time constraints can lead to a back-up of your stool. That back-up then translates into increased pressure on your hemorrhoids.
Then, when you’re on the toilet, resist the urge to push or strain. Your body naturally pushes and releases feces on its own. Pushing and straining merely irritate your hemorrhoids.
If possible, use a Squatty Potty or stool to elevate your feet while on the toilet. This places your rectum and anus in the ideal position for defecation and allows gravity to help you get going.
If self-care isn’t cutting it, come to see our colorectal experts. We diagnose and grade your hemorrhoids, then customize a treatment plan. We may recommend:
To get relief from swollen hemorrhoids, call our helpful team at the office nearest you (Bloomfield or South Windsor, Connecticut) today or contact us online.
