How are hemorrhoids treated?
Hemorrhoids may be treated at home, in your caregiver’s office, or at the hospital. • At home: Your caregiver may ask you to eat more high-fiber foods and drink more liquids. This will help soften your stool to prevent you from straining during your BM. Your caregiver may also tell you to put ice on your hemorrhoid to decrease pain and swelling. Your caregiver may tell you to soak in a warm tub or take a sitz bath. A sitz bath is a pan that fits on the toilet bowl with warm water in it. Your caregiver may give you medicines that you put on your skin to help decrease pain and swelling. You may also need medicine to soften your stools. • At your caregiver’s office: Your caregiver may decide you need a procedure that causes the hemorrhoid to return to the rectal wall. These procedures may also cause the hemorrhoid to break off from the rectal wall entirely. Photocoagulation uses special light to stop blood flow to your hemorrhoids and shrink them. During rubber band ligation, your caregiv
