Hemorrhoids, which are bulging veins surrounding the exterior of the anus or the lower section of the rectum, are frequent and can cause unpleasant burning or itching. The National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases estimates that 75 percent of people will get hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. They can frequently be treated with over-the-counter medications; you may not even need to consult a doctor.

Many illnesses can cause hemorrhoids; however, it is assumed that the most common cause is straining to pass a bowel movement. Lifting heavy objects, as well as other activities, might result in hemorrhoids. Other significant risks include increased blood pressure during pregnancy and being overweight.

Signs and Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

Seeing blood in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement is undoubtedly frightening, and it is one of the primary indications of hemorrhoids. Additional symptoms include:

• You may notice bright red blood on the toilet paper or your stool following a bowel movement.

• Itching in the anal region.

• Pain in the anal area, particularly while sitting.

• Pain during bowel motions.

• One or more firm, painful bumps around the anus.

If you have any of these hemorrhoid symptoms, avoid excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus since this can exacerbate irritation and itching and potentially cause bleeding. Additionally, rather than cleaning the area, try patting it dry.

Treatment and Medication Options for Hemorrhoids

Fortunately, most hemorrhoids can be treated at home or in a doctor's office using basic medical treatments, depending on the type of hemorrhoid and the degree of your symptoms. Here are the most prevalent hemorrhoid treatment options:

At-Home Hemorrhoid Treatment and Remedies

The key to treating hemorrhoids is to avoid constipation. Dietary and lifestyle adjustments, particularly increased fiber intake, may also help lessen hemorrhoid symptoms. Constipation can be avoided by taking a fiber supplement like Metamucil (psyllium) and using stool softeners like Citrucel (methylcellulose). However, avoid laxatives, as they can cause diarrhea and exacerbate hemorrhoid symptoms.

You can perform several things at home to alleviate hemorrhoidal discomfort.

• Take a sitz bath. This is a warm, shallow bath that focuses on the area; most drugstores sell a plastic kit that fits over the toilet.

• Use an ice pack.

• Avoid straining during bowel motions.

• Clean your anus thoroughly and maintain it clean after every bowel movement.

• Sit on cushioned surfaces instead of hard ones to decrease swelling and prevent new hemorrhoids from developing.

• As needed, take over-the-counter pain medicines, including ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), acetaminophen (Tylenol), or aspirin.

• Use over-the-counter lotions, ointments, or pads containing hydrocortisone or witch hazel. These can reduce swelling, discomfort, and itching. (Products containing hydrocortisone can cause skin to thin or weaken and should not be used for more than a week at a time.)

Hemorrhoid Treatment in a Doctor’s Office, With or Without Surgery

Hemorrhoids that do not respond to home remedies may require medical intervention.

Painful external hemorrhoids can be removed during an office visit after a local anesthetic is used to numb the area.

Internal hemorrhoids may be treated with a few office treatments. Rubber band ligation, the most common hemorrhoid surgery in the United States, involves wrapping a thin rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid and cutting off its blood supply. The hemorrhoid usually shrinks and falls out within a week, but numerous fast follow-up visits may be necessary to remove it entirely.

Sclerotherapy, in which a chemical is injected into a hemorrhoid, causes scar tissue to form, shrinking the hemorrhoid; and infrared coagulation, in which an intense beam of infrared light causes scar tissue to form, cutting off the blood supply and shrinking the hemorrhoid.

If you have a large external hemorrhoid, both internal and external hemorrhoids, or an internal hemorrhoid that has prolapsed (popped out through the anus), a surgical surgery known as a hemorrhoidectomy may be required; however, this is rarely necessary.

A hemorrhoidectomy involves removing the hemorrhoid and surrounding tissue by a minor incision, which is usually stitched up afterward. The treatment is performed in an operating room under localized or general anesthesia or with a spinal block that numbs the lower part of the body. The treatment is successful in 95% of cases; however, patients may endure postoperative pain.

Another alternative for reducing postoperative pain is a stapled hemorrhoidopexy, which involves pulling the hemorrhoidal tissue upward and to its normal position before stapling it in place. (The staples fall out with time.)