HAEMORRHOIDS - TREATMENT

Home Remedies

• Increase fluid and fibre intake to prevent constipation

• Warm Sitz baths, several times a day to soothe painful, inflammed external piles. Sit in a tub filled a few inches of warm water 3 times a day and after each bowel movement for at least 15 minutes. Thoroughly dry the skin after each session.

Medication

• To treat and prevent constipation

• Topical creams, ointments and suppositories to reduce inflammation and discomfort

• Oral medication to shrink the hemorrhoids

• Oral medication to manage pain and inflammation eg. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Surgical Treatment

Thrombosed piles can be treated with a simple excision to bring quick relief.

Rubber band ligation – tiny rubber bands are placed at the base of the internal pile to cut off its blood supply. The pile withers and falls off after a few days. This procedure is generally not painful (though may be a little uncomfortable) because it is placed in a region devoid of pain receptors.

Injection (sclerotherapy) – chemicals are injected into the pile to cause it shrink. Also generally a painless procedure.

Hemorrhoidectomy – surgical excision of the pile is recommended for severe hemorrhoids.


Stapled haemorrhoidectomy – resection of soft tissue above the dentate line, thus disrupting blood flow to the hemorrhoid. Much less painful than traditional hemorrhoidectomy and has faster recovery time.

Transanal Haemorrhoidal Dearterialisation (THD) – a precise, ultrasound-guided ligation of the blood vessels which supply the piles. Much less painful than traditional hemorrhoidectory with shorter downtime.


So, if you think you may have piles, do consult your doctor. Once he has excluded more serious conditions, he will be able to recommend the most appropriate treatment for you, depending on the nature and type of haemorrhoids you have.

Find a Colorectal Surgeon

The article above is meant to provide general information and does not replace a doctor's consultation. 
Please see your doctor for professional advice.