Haemorrhoids or piles are a common health issue in Singapore. In fact, one in three Singaporeans reportedly have this problem. While you can treat minor cases with topical haemorrhoid medication or just let nature run its course, severe ones often require piles surgery.
Are your haemorrhoids mild enough that you can treat them at home? Here are several home remedies to help you ease your haemorrhoid symptoms or prevent them from happening again.
A Quick Overview Of Haemorrhoids
Before we talk about self-care treatments, let us briefly discuss what exactly haemorrhoids or piles are.
These are blood vessels around the anus or lower rectum that get irritated or swollen when under a lot of pressure.
Several possible causes include:
- Straining yourself when moving bowels
- Being chronically constipated or suffering from diarrhoea
- Sitting on the toilet for too long
- Pregnancy (when the foetus puts pressure on the rectum’s blood vessels
- Obesity (excess weight also increases pressure on the anus and rectum)
Haemorrhoids can form internally, externally, or both at the same time.
How to Deal With Haemorrhoids Without Undergoing Piles Surgery
Besides buying haemorrhoid creams and pain relievers that are available over the counter, you can follow these tips to soothe your symptoms:
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Don’t Hold Your Bowels In
When you feel the urge to pass your stool, do not delay. Find a bathroom as soon as you can. Keeping it in only strains your affected areas and further irritates your piles.
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Boost Your Fibre Intake
Dietary fibre is an important nutrient that supports smoother bowel movement. It makes your stool softer, therefore putting less pressure on your haemorrhoids.
Some fibre-rich foods worth adding to your diet include fruits, vegetables, nuts, and whole grains. Try aiming for at least 25 to 30 grams of fibre daily for best results. You can take fibre supplements if your diet cannot reach that goal. However, take care not to overuse fibre supplements, as it could cause constipation and diarrhoea instead.
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Stay Hydrated
Together with a fibre-rich diet, drinking more water further softens your stool to make it pass much easier. Make sure to drink at least 2 litres daily to keep your fluid levels up.
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Avoid Sitting Too Long
Sitting for prolonged periods puts additional pressure on your bottom and thus your haemorrhoids too. If your work requires you to sit down, take some breaks to stand and walk around. You can also get a seat cushion that helps your bottom stay more comfortable.
Consider exercising more as well. Physical activity boosts blood circulation throughout the body, including your affected areas. But avoid exercises that strain your bottom, such as cycling.
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Take Sitz Baths
A sitz bath is a type of bath wherein you sit down in a tub of warm, shallow water so only your buttocks are submerged. It does not heal your haemorrhoids, but it does soothe the irritated area and reduce swelling in prolapsed haemorrhoids. Some add salt or baking soda for added relief.
When to See a Physician for Your Haemorrhoids
Ideally, the haemorrhoids should disappear after two weeks at most. But if your piles persist despite all these tips, consult your physician for other haemorrhoid treatment options.
Depending on how severe the haemorrhoid is, treatments can include:
- Ligation is often used in internal haemorrhoid treatments. It is particularly effective against piles that protrude when passing stool. The method involves constricting the haemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply.
- Inject a solution to make the haemorrhoid shrink and fall off.
- Doctors may recommend piles surgery for bigger, prolapsed piles.
Conclusion
Home remedies work well for milder haemorrhoid cases. But Consider making lifestyle changes like eating more fibre-rich food and having healthier bowel habits too. These can reduce your risk of developing haemorrhoids again.
If your haemorrhoids do not disappear or are too severe, consult a doctor right away. They have the expertise to determine whether you need piles surgery or if other treatments can still work.
References:
- https://www.gutcare.com.sg/health/haemorrhoid-piles/
- https://www.gutcare.com.sg/6-self-care-tips-for-managing-haemorrhoids-flare-ups/
- https://www.nuh.com.sg/Health-Information/Diseases-Conditions/Pages/Haemorrhoids-or-Piles.aspx
- https://www.singhealth.com.sg/patient-care/conditions-treatments/hemorrhoids-piles
- https://www.health.harvard.edu/blog/6-self-help-tips-for-hemorrhoid-flare-ups-201307196496
- https://www.verywellhealth.com/coping-with-hemorrhoids-1944929
