Anyone can suffer from hemorrhoids, and since this health condition does not discriminate anyone, more and more people are resorting to different kinds of treatment for this problem. While some deem that a more natural approach to treatment is appropriate, there are also those who believe that medicines are the best remedy. Consequently, more and more over-the-counter hemorrhoids treatment are also cropping up to address the demand of remedying this serious health condition.

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are enlarged veins of the swollen hemorrhoids tissue in the rectum. Enlargement can occur both in the inside and outside of the anal canal. The swelling is caused by too much pressure or straining towards the rear part of the body. Pressure is usually brought by constipation, obesity (too much weight), pregnancy, and prolonged sitting and standing in just one position.

There are two kinds of hemorrhoids: the internal hemorrhoids and the external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are found inside the anal canal, while external hemorrhoids are situated just under below of the anal skin at the outside.

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 can we cure hemorrhoids? Are over the counter hemorrhoids treatment advisable?

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.

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.

The best way, really, to prevent hemorrhoids from cropping in after it is being treated is to maintain a healthy lifestyle and proper diet. Drink at least eight glasses of water per day. Aside from the fact that water can help in the proper circulation of blood, water can also be a good factor for smooth digestion of food, which will result to soft stools. Soft stools are needed for proper bowel movement because straining (due to hard bowel brought by constipation) might lead to further complications of the hemorrhoids, such as intense bleeding. Another form of a healthy lifestyle is to eat nutritious foods and to undergo regular physical exercise. Eating leafy vegetables, fruits and other foods rich in fiber can help clean the intestines as well as to have smooth and easy defecation.