To treat piles (hemorrhoids), a combination of home remedies, medications, and medical procedures can be used depending on the severity:
Home Treatments and Lifestyle Changes
- Soak in a warm bath or sitz bath for 10-15 minutes, two to three times a day, to relieve pain and itching
- Drink plenty of fluids and eat a high-fiber diet to keep stools soft and reduce straining
- Use damp toilet paper or gentle wiping to keep the area clean and avoid irritation
- Apply ice packs wrapped in a towel to reduce swelling and discomfort
- Take over-the-counter painkillers like paracetamol to ease pain (avoid opioid-based painkillers that can cause constipation)
- Use hemorrhoid creams, ointments, or suppositories containing local anesthetics or corticosteroids for short-term relief (no longer than a week)
- Avoid excessive alcohol and caffeine, and exercise regularly to prevent constipation
- Gently push protruding piles back inside if possible
Medications
- Fiber supplements (e.g., ispaghula husk) and mild laxatives (e.g., lactulose) can help soften stools and ease bowel movements
- Topical treatments can reduce pain, itching, and swelling
Medical Treatments (Non-Surgical)
If home treatments are ineffective, hospital procedures may be recommended:
- Rubber band ligation: placing a band around the pile to cut off blood supply, causing it to shrink and fall off
- Sclerotherapy: injecting a solution to shrink piles
- Infrared coagulation: using infrared light to cut blood supply and shrink piles
- Electrotherapy: applying electric current to reduce piles
- Cryotherapy: freezing piles with liquid nitrogen to make them fall off
These procedures are usually done with local anesthesia and are outpatient treatments
Surgical Treatments
Surgery is considered if other treatments fail or piles are severe:
- Hemorrhoidectomy: surgical removal of piles
- Stapled hemorrhoidopexy: stapling piles back inside the anus
- Hemorrhoidal artery ligation: stitching to cut off blood supply to piles
Surgery typically requires anesthesia and possibly a hospital stay
When to Seek Emergency Care
Go to emergency services if you experience:
- Continuous or heavy bleeding (e.g., toilet water turning red or large clots)
- Severe pain
In summary, initial treatment focuses on symptom relief and preventing constipation through diet and hygiene. If symptoms persist, minimally invasive procedures or surgery may be necessary.
