What are the Different Types of Hemorrhoid Treatment Options?

There are many different types of hemorrhoid treatment options, and the recommended forms of treatment typically depend on how severe a person's hemorrhoids are. A person who has only minimal problems with hemorrhoids may find adequate relief from using over-the-counter creams, ointments, or hemorrhoid pads. People who have severe hemorrhoids may need to see their doctors for outpatient hemorrhoid treatments, such as rubber band ligations or injections. In the event that over-the-counter medications and outpatient procedures are ineffective, surgery to correct hemorrhoids may be necessary. A person who suffers from severe hemorrhoids should probably consult with his doctor to determine what hemorrhoid treatment options are best for him.

Some people have hemorrhoids but do not regularly have problems with them. When this is the case, over-the-counter treatments are usually effective enough to help a person deal with the symptoms until they go away. Some over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatment options contain ingredients like witch hazel or cortisone, which tend to help to soothe soreness and reduce inflammation. These treatments are typically widely available and inexpensive. There may also be some doctor-prescribed medications containing similar ingredients in higher dosages, which may be slightly more effective for treating hemorrhoids than over-the-counter hemorrhoid products.

People who have very painful hemorrhoids that flare up regularly may want to see their doctors about rubber band ligation or hemorrhoid injections. These procedures are minimally invasive, and they typically do not require an overnight stay at the hospital. During a rubber band ligation procedure, a doctor will cut the circulation off of internal hemorrhoids using rubber bands so that they fall off within a few days to a week. Hemorrhoid injections involve the injection of a chemical into the hemorrhoid to shrink it. Both rubber band ligation and hemorrhoid injections tend to be effective for people who have moderate to severe hemorrhoid problems.

In some cases, a person will have serious problems with hemorrhoids that are severe enough to warrant surgery. The two most common types of hemorrhoid treatment options involving surgery are stapling and hemorrhoidectomies. Hemorrhoid stapling helps to prevent the flow of blood to the hemorrhoids, and it is considered a less invasive procedure than a hemorrhoidectomy. During a hemorrhoidectomy, the hemorrhoid tissue is removed from the body. Even though stapling is typically less invasive and usually causes less pain than a hemorrhoidectomy, there may be a greater chance of hemorrhoid recurrence when hemorrhoid stapling is done. People who have successful hemorrhoidectomies rarely have problems with hemorrhoid recurrences.