Can Over the Counter Hemorrhoids Treatment Work?
Hemorrhoids is a serious health concern that should be given immediate attention. There are many ways to cure and remedy hemorrhoids, depending on the degree of its condition. There are some people who opt to treat hemorrhoids naturally by going for natural, non-medical treatments such as regular exercise, proper diet and hygiene. There are also other patients who want to go for over the counter hemorrhoids treatment like hemorrhoids ointment and creams. However, when the hemorrhoids condition is more severe, surgery is the best option.
Hemorrhoids: What it Is
Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins of the swollen hemorrhoids tissue in the rectum. Enlargement can occur both in the inside and outside of the anal canal. The swelling is caused by too much pressure or straining towards the rear part of the body. Pressure is usually brought by constipation, obesity (too much weight), pregnancy, and prolonged sitting and standing in just one position.
There are generally two classifications of hemorrhoids: the internal and the external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are found inside the anal canal. External hemorrhoids are those that are found a little below the outer part of the anal skin.
An individual suffering from hemorrhoids usually suffer from intense and burning pain in the affected area, itchiness, bleeding and irritation, putting one in a very uncomfortable, irritable and uncomfortable physical condition.
How are hemorrhoids treated? Are there over the counter hemorrhoids treatment?
Over the counter hemorrhoids treatment such as hemorrhoids ointments, hemorrhoids cream and hemorrhoids petroleum jelly and laxatives are only good for light to moderate hemorrhoids conditions and hemorrhoids that are still in its early stages. These ointments and over the counter hemorrhoids treatment contain hydrocortisone and antiseptics that help relieve the inflammation.
Another form of over the counter hemorrhoids treatment are pain relievers. Although pain relievers does not cure and treat the hemorrhoids condition itself, it alleviates the pain and the itchiness brought about by the condition.
Another way of treating hemorrhoids is through surgery and rubber band ligation. Surgery is really the scraping off of the protruding tissue (hemorrhoids). Surgery of hemorrhoids is also called hemorrhoidectomy. Rubber bond ligation is a non-surgical procedure wherein a rubber bond is being tied around the swollen tissue to reduce blood circulation in the area. The lack of blood flow in the affected area will result to the shrinking of the hemorrhoids.
Prevention is still better than cure. Hemorrhoids, for some, are still best prevented by living a healthy lifestyle such as maintaining proper diet, posture and regular bowel movement. Eating healthy food rich in fiber and drinking at least eight glasses of water every day help detoxify and aid our body with bowel movement. Constipation and straining to relieve the body of waste would only worsen any existing hemorrhoids condition. Regular exercise also help prevent hemorrhoids as it increases blood circulation which is, again, necessary for regular and smooth bowel movement. Exercise also help prevent obesity which is another cause of hemorrhoids.