Beginning therapy for bleeding hemorrhoids should commence with an accurate diagnosis because rectal bleeding might signal serious medical concerns requiring prompt attention. Hence, it is essential to ascertain that the rectal bleeding is indeed resulting from bleeding hemorrhoids. Once the source of the rectal bleeding has been identified, your healthcare professional will suggest a suitable treatment plan for the bleeding hemorrhoids. On the other hand, if you are certain that the bleeding is due to this specific issue, you have the option to initiate a treatment approach at home.
For pain, it’s best to avoid aspirin and other anti-inflammatory medications as they can cause more bleeding from the hemorrhoids. Instead, choose acetaminophen tablets such as Tylenol. Normally, small internal bleeding hemorrhoids treatment will only require over the counter pain relievers and a change in diet and bathroom habits.
For constipation, it is important to eat more fiber and drink plenty of water. Constipation and straining to have a bowel movement is usually the cause of bleeding hemorrhoids. Treatment plans must include a change in diet to help prevent a reoccurrence of hemorrhoids. Drink at least 6-8 glasses of water and avoid alcohol as it can cause dehydration.
Again, in order for treatment for bleeding hemorrhoids to be effective it’s important to prevent them from returning by keeping a healthy lifestyle and avoid straining when passing stool. Don’t sit too long. Get up and get a little exercise. Drink water and try again later. Don’t hold it in too long either because that can cause straining later.
For swelling, itching and other discomfort, try daily sitz baths at least 3 times daily. A sitz bath is a hot (not too hot) soaking bath in which the water is filled only high enough to cover the affected area. Soaking for 15 minutes up to several times each day will keep the area clean, promote healing and ease discomfort.
To make the sitz bath part of your treatment for bleeding hemorrhoids easier and quicker, purchase an inexpensive (usually anywhere from $10-$20) plastic sitz bath basin. These can be purchased online or in your local pharmacy. They’re made to fit into the seat on the toilet to make soaking easy and to save on water because filling a large bathtub with 3-4 inches of water several times a day can take a lot of time and use a lot of water. These sitz bath tubs are quick and easy to fill and empty and rinse clean for the next soaking session.
Many physicians suggest adding salt to the sitz bath or baking soda. Please check with your doctor before adding ingredients to your sitz bath. There are also over the counter hemorrhoid creams for external bleeding hemorrhoids treatment. Please follow directions carefully.
Often the treatment for bleeding hemorrhoids at home has a successful outcome however, if after one week, symptoms are not improving, please contact your doctor. Also, if an internal bleeding hemorrhoid swells and bulges through the anus and becomes extremely painful, this could be a strangulated hemorrhoid. Strangulated hemorrhoids are a very serious condition and require urgent medical attention.
While there are a few medical procedures your doctor may discuss with you, normally the first stages of treatment for bleeding hemorrhoids begins with a combination of diet and lifestyle change along with some over the counter medications and relaxing, healing sitz baths.
