Diet - piles can be caused by too much straining when doing bowel movements, which is the result of constipation. A change in diet can help keep the stools regular and soft. This involves eating more fiber, such as fruit and vegetables, or even switching your cereal breakfast to bran.
Water is the best drink, and the patient may be advised to increase his/her water consumption. Some experts say too much caffeine is not good.
Body weight - if the patient is obese, losing weight may help reduce the incidence and severity of hemorrhoids.
Simple things you can do yourself:
- Try not to strain when you go to the toilet
- Use moist toilet paper instead of dry
- Rather than rubbing the anus area when cleaning after going to the toilet, pat instead to avoid irritation if you already have piles
Ointments, creams, pads and other OTC medications - there are some over-the-counter (OTC) medications which help soothe the redness and swelling around the anus area. Some of them contain witch hazel, hydrocortisone, or some other active ingredient which can relieve symptoms of itching and pain.
It is important to remember that they do not cure piles, they only treat the symptoms.
Corticosteroids - these can reduce
inflammation. However, usage must not exceed about six to seven days.
Painkillers - ask your pharmacist for suitable painkilling medications, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol, paracetamol).
Laxatives - the doctor may prescribe one if the patient suffers from constipation.
Banding - the doctor places an elastic band around the base of the pile inside the anus, cutting its blood supply. After a few days the hemorrhoids fall off. This can work for Grades 2 and 3 hemorrhoids.
Sclerotherapy - a medicine is injected into the vein to make the hemorrhoid shrink - the hemorrhoid eventually shrivels up. This is effective for Grades 2 and 3 hemorrhoids, and is a useful alternative to banding.
Infrared coagulation - also referred to as infrared light coagulation. Used for Grades 1 or 2 hemorrhoids. A device burns the hemorrhoid tissue.
Surgery - used for particularly large piles, or Grades 3 or 4 hemorrhoids. Generally, surgery is used if other procedures were not effective.
- Hemorrhoidectomy - the excess tissue that is causing the bleeding is surgically removed.
- Hemorrhoid stapling - blood flow is blocked to the tissue of the hemorrhoid. This procedure is usually less painful than hemorrhoidectomy.