Can Over the Counter Hemorrhoids Treatment Work?

Hemorrhoids are something that should be given attention at and be treated right away to prevent prolonged pain and discomfort. There are different ways to treat hemorrhoids, depending on the grade or degree of the hemorrhoids. Some people prefer treating their hemorrhoids using natural methods such as proper diet, regular exercise and proper hygiene. There are also others who resort to drinking of medicated drugs and application of over the counter hemorrhoids treatment such as hemorrhoids cream and ointment. For serious level of hemorrhoids, surgery is the answer.

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.

Hemorrhoids are usually characterized with intense pain, itchiness, burning sensation, bleeding, and irritation. This usually put a person with hemorrhoids in very uncomfortable and awkward situations.

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

Over the counter hemorrhoids treatment such as hemorrhoids ointments, hemorrhoids cream and hemorrhoids petroleum jelly and laxatives are only good for light to moderate hemorrhoids conditions and hemorrhoids that are still in its early stages. These ointments and over the counter hemorrhoids treatment contain hydrocortisone and antiseptics that help relieve the inflammation.

Another form of over the counter hemorrhoids treatment are pain relievers. Although pain relievers does not cure and treat the hemorrhoids condition itself, it alleviates the pain and the itchiness brought about by the condition.

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.

Prevention is still better than cure. Hemorrhoids, for some, are still best prevented by living a healthy lifestyle such as maintaining proper diet, posture and regular bowel movement. Eating healthy food rich in fiber and drinking at least eight glasses of water every day help detoxify and aid our body with bowel movement. Constipation and straining to relieve the body of waste would only worsen any existing hemorrhoids condition. Regular exercise also help prevent hemorrhoids as it increases blood circulation which is, again, necessary for regular and smooth bowel movement. Exercise also help prevent obesity which is another cause of hemorrhoids.

Suffering from hemorrhoids? Read more of Sandy Rowde's independent reviews of over the counter hemorrhoids treatment to find the leading natural hemorrhoids treatment that's right for you. This article is available as a unique content article with free reprint rights.