Despite the common belief among most people that hemorrhoid treatment involves simple home remedies for hemorrhoids, many developments in its treatment have taken place in the last few decades. It is worth noting that more than half the population of the world develops hemorrhoids at some point in their lives and majority of them seek medical attention very late.

What Causes Hemorrhoids

The exact root cause of Hemorrhoids and why we get it is not known. Yes, there are a lot of theories, but in many respects it is still a gray area.  However, which is known is that there is a bunch of factors that contribute to the likelihood of you getting Hemorrhoids. The following are just a few things (of many) that are known to be things that can cause or make it more likely for you to get hemorrhoids:

• constipation
• Hypertension
• obesity
• pregnancy
• The wrong sitting posture or sitting to much

If one or more of the above describes you in some way, then you are probably more prone to hemorrhoids when the veins in the anus and rectum swell up causing irritation and bleeding. Hemorrhoids can be external as well as internal.

It is prudent to consult a doctor and treat it on time. In the very initial stages or in cases where Hemorrhoids are not severe then a change in lifestyle and diet is enough to cure hemorrhoids. However, advanced ones may require prolonged and more direct hemorrhoid treatment, such as hemorrhoid surgery.

Ways of Lessening the Effect or Risk of Hemorrhoids

By exercising, increasing fluid and fiber intake, and correcting posture you can help to prevent hemorrhoids. Use of laxatives and wearing of tight underwear may aggravate the condition. Women should increase their intake of fluids and dietary fiber just before menstruation. The use of squat toilets may also bring some relief.

Approaches to hemorrhoid treatment vary. To many, hemorrhoids are temporary. In these situations, mild home remedies for Hemorrhoids are often enough. Bidet, warm bath, analgesic are used for relief. In cases of external hemorrhoids a warm compress can be applied which can cause the rectal area to relax. Treatment, in the early stages, with medicated cream often proves beneficial. You might want to steroid preparations, as they may aggravate the condition. The affected area should be kept dry and clean with adequate lubrication. Suppositories may also help.

Natural or herbal remedies should be tried under proper guidance to avoid drug interaction. Use of horse chestnut, witch hazel, aloe Vera, Japanese pagoda plant extracts, grape seed extracts, and honey has proved to be effective for many people. Consumption of plantain, seed husks, chamomile tea is encouraged for soft stool.

• A painless non-surgical method of hemorrhoid treatment is  ‘Ultroid’. It costs much less than surgery, requires no hospitalization or anesthesia and is over in 15 minutes. In Galvanic electrotherapy or hemorrhoidolysis small electrodes are used to shrink the hemorrhoids

• In Sclerotherapy, a solution is injected preventing blood flow and causing it to shrivel. In cryosurgery, liquid nitrogen and nitrous oxide are used to freeze the hemorrhoids.

• For surgery or hemorrhoidectomy, the patient has to be in the hospital for at least 2 days and may take over 2 months to recover. There are chances of infection and multiple related complications

• In Stapling, the hemorrhoid is not removed but blood flow to it is inhibited. Chances of recurrence are high.

• In banding or rubber band ligation, the hemorrhoid is tethered at the base thereby cutting off the blood supply to make it dry up and detach.

• IRC (infra red coagulator) or hemorrhoid treatment with laser is effective for small hemorrhoids. The laser causes them to ‘vaporize’. However the recurrence rate is high and may cause pain and complications.

Hemorrhoids can be treated by acupuncture, homeopathy, acupressure and even aromatherapy. These are just a few of the various types of treatment for hemorrhoids, the patient has to choose the right one after weighing the pros and cons.