Over one in two of us will develop and suffer the pain and anguish of hemorrhoids or piles in our lifetime?. There is a whole industry based around the cure of hemorrhoids and piles. This condition is often recognised by irritation, itching, pain and swelling around the anus. Most of the available treatments we buy are geared toward the relief to the symptoms of hemorrhoids or piles.

As a first measure, the doctor may well suggest some at home treatments for hemorrhoids and piles to bring some relief from the symptoms. Patients are instructed to run a warm bath or sitz bath several times a day in plain, warm water for about ten minutes. This should relieve the swelling of the blood vessels in the rectal or anal area. By using an ice pack for short periods of time, this can bring some welcome relief. With chronic constipation, patients are recommended to use petroleum jelly to hasten the passage of hard stools. The application of over the counter cortisone and hemorrhoidal creams and suppositories sometimes offer fast-acting but temporary relief. One of the best ways of managing the symptoms of hemorrhoids is by establishing healthier bowel movement. Medical procedures are usually a last resort if all else fails and there are five types commonly used; the rubber band ligation, injection sclerotherapy, infrared photocoagulation, laser coagulation and hemorrhoidectomy.

The doctor can put a special rubber band around the hemorrhoid and it cuts off the blood supply to it. This is known as rubber band ligation and I have to say, it does not sound very nice.

Injection sclerotherapy injects a chemical solution to the mucous membrane near the hemorrhoid to initiate the closure of the veins, which in turn shrinks the hemorrhoids.

Infrared and laser coagulation is basically the process of infrared radiation or laser in coagulating or dilating the veins of the hemorrhoids for them to shrink.

Lastly, hemorrhoidectomy is the procedure that involves the surgical removal of the hemorrhoid groups in the anal canal. Surgical and invasive hemorrhoid treatment is usually recommended when the affected area is large and that it already puts the patient under excruciating pain or with cases that necessitates the drainage of the hemorrhoids. Also, procedures like hemorrhoidectomy are recommended as the best treatment for prolapsed hemorrhoid as well as thrombosed external hemorrhoid.

It is not uncommon for hemorrhoids or piles to be cured in a couple of weeks without too much help. Hence, it seldom causes serious or life-threatening but it definitely requires immediate treatment. By adopting some fiber supplements and healthy lifestyle changes into your daily life, you may improve your hemorrhoid symptoms or lessen your risk of developing hemorrhoids. However, some cases would require radical procedures to remedy the swollen veins in the anus and prevent complications. Either way, you have to consult your physician before deciding to undergo surgery or adopt one of the natural hemorrhoids treatment regimens in managing and improving your symptoms.