Thursday, January 15, 2009

Do Over-The-Counter Hemorrhoids Treatment Work?

By Sandy Rowde

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.

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins of inflamed hemorrhoids tissues in our rectum. Inflammation of these veins can occur both on the outside and inside of the anal canal lining. When too much pressure or strain brought about by pregnancy, obesity, constipation, and too much weight is exerted by the anal part of our body, swelling occurs.

There are two kinds of hemorrhoids, namely, the internal and the external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids happen when the veins of our hemorrhoids tissues found inside the anal canal is swollen. External hemorrhoids occur when the veins of our hemorrhoids tissues found below the outer part of the anal skin is inflamed.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids include itchiness in the affected area, burning sensation in the anus, intense pain, irritation and bleeding. These symptoms can put the individual in a very awkward and uncomfortable state.

How is hemorrhoids treated? Do over the counter hemorrhoids treatment work?

Hemorrhoids may be treated by various cures, one of these being over the counter hemorrhoids treatment. However, over the counter hemorrhoids treatment are only good for the early stages of hemorrhoids. These over the counter hemorrhoids treatment and solutions include hemorrhoids ointment, hemorrhoids cream, hemorrhoids laxatives and petroleum jellies. Hemorrhoids are also best treated with hemorrhoids cream containing antiseptics and hydrocortisone.

Pain killers is another form of over the counter hemorrhoids treatment. However, pain killers do not cure and heal the condition itself. It only relieves the symptoms of hemorrhoids such as pain and itchiness.

For the more serious hemorrhoids condition, surgery and rubber band ligation may be called for. Surgery is done by scraping off the protruding hemorrhoid tissue, the procedure being called hemorrhoidectomy. Rubber band ligation is another solution to severe hemorrhoids condition. This is a non-surgical procedure done by having a rubber band tied around the inflamed tissue to decrease the blood circulation in the area and prevent or decrease more inflammation.

For some, leading a healthy lifestyle is the best cure - and even prevention - for hemorrhoids. Eating fibrous fruits and vegetables and drinking at least eight glasses of water everyday will help clean the intestines and will aid it in smooth defecation. A regular exercise that will improve blood circulation and prevent obesity (which are two of the major causes of hemorrhoids) is also a good way to prevent hemorrhoids or prevent it from developing complications. - 14130

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