photo credit: mrebert
Hemorrhoids are tender and swollen veins in the anus and rectum. The hemorrhoids in the anal area are called internal hemorrhoids. These kinds of hemorrhoids are not very painful but when they are disturbed they may bleed immensely.
Treatments must be done immediately to avoid developing a more serious kind of hemorrhoids such as prolapsed hemorrhoids wherein the hemorrhoids are pushed out of the anus, and strangulated hemorrhoids wherein the prolapsed hemorrhoids are ensnared outside of the anus, thus cutting off the blood supply.
Categories
Internal hemorrhoids can be categorized into several grades. Grade I hemorrhoids are those hemorrhoids that have not prolapsed yet. In Grade II, the hemorrhoids prolapsed while having a bowel movement however it may spontaneously lessen. Grade III hemorrhoids also prolapsed during a bowel movement but it must be manually reduced. The worst case is the Grade IV hemorrhoids where the hemorrhoids prolapsed but can’t be reduced manually.
Medical Treatments
Medical cures for hemorrhoids are still nonexistent although there are treatment that can help in reducing and managing its symptoms. In order for the hemorrhoids to heal naturally, internal hemorrhoids treatments are made to avoid aggravating and worsening of the hemorrhoids. But if the hemorrhoids are more advanced, invasive treatments might be needed.
Natural Treatments
Natural treatment for internal hemorrhoids includes the intake of supplements that strengthens the wall of the veins, and regulates bowel movements and blood circulation. Being able to have a bowel movement easily and regularly is a way to avoid aggravating the hemorrhoid since hemorrhoids usually are caused by the increased strain in the anal area while defecating.
Foods
Eating foods that are rich in dietary fiber, drinking plenty of water and drinking chamomile tea several times a day can make stools softer so that defecating will become easier and regular. If the walls of the vein are strong, it can resist more to strain; thus, reducing inflammation and swelling.
Non-Medicinal & Surgical Methods
Non-medicinal and surgical methods are needed to treat chronic hemorrhoids and other severe cases of hemorrhoids. These treatments include:
1) Rubber band ligation is used when the blood flow in the affected area must be cut off. An elastic band is used and they are discarded naturally while having a bowel movement.
2) Galvanic Electrotherapy is where the hemorrhoids are dried up and shrunken by using electric current.
3) Sclerotherapy is making the walls of the veins collapsed and shrinking the hemorrhoids by injecting a hardening agent to the hemorrhoid.
4) Infrared or BICAP coagulation uses infrared beam or electricity to cauterize the hemorrhoid.
5) Hemorrhoidectomy is a real surgical procedure to remove the hemorrhoids. This kind of treatment is used as the last recourse for Grade IV hemorrhoids since it has side effects that can occur later in life.
6) Enema is a method of cleaning the rectum by injecting water into it and flushing it out.
For all medical treatments, consult your doctor first and to avoid complications it must be done by professionals only. Find out the causes of your hemorrhoids and do something about it immediately in order to avoid severe internal hemorrhoids.