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Blood on the toilet paper and painful bowel movements can indicate enlarged hemorrhoids. There are home remedies that can alleviate the pain. However, it is best to prevent.
Everyone has hemorrhoids. The term refers to the vascular cushions at the exit of the rectum, just before the anus. These cause no symptoms in healthy people. Together with the sphincter, hemorrhoids ensure that the intestines close properly to the outside. In this way, only air and no stool escapes in the event of flatulence.
However, many people suffer from enlarged hemorrhoids. The Institute for Quality and Efficiency in Health Care (IQWiG) estimates that more than half of all adults will experience complaints in the course of their lives. About four out of 100 adults in Germany are treated annually because of enlarged hemorrhoids, it is said.
If typical symptoms occur, doctors speak of hemorrhoidal disease. According to the University Hospital Zurich, signs of the clinical picture are:
- Bright red blood on the stool or on the toilet paper (bleeding may increase in advanced haemorrhoids)
- Itching, burning and oozing at the anus
- Foreign body or pressure sensation in the anal area
- Feeling that the bowels are not completely empty after going to the toilet
- Passing of mucus or stool with flatulence
- Severe pain (in advanced haemorrhoidal disease)
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Prevent enlarged hemorrhoids
If you have problems with bowel movements, pain in the anal area or your bowel movements or urine show an unusual color, in most cases there are no serious illnesses behind it. If the symptoms do not go away within a short time, however, you should consult a doctor to be on the safe side. Because only a specialist can decide which ailment is present and which treatment makes sense. Good contact points are general practitioners, proctologists or gastroenterologists.
As IQWiG informs, in the case of slightly enlarged haemorrhoids it may be sufficient to avoid constipation and change bowel movements. It is therefore recommended to only visit the toilet for as long as necessary and not to strain too hard when having a bowel movement.
Home remedies for enlarged hemorrhoids: do sitz baths work?
If detected early, enlarged hemorrhoids can often be treated with simple remedies. In the advanced stage, often only an operation can help. If you have minor symptoms, you can try to get them under control with home remedies. If the problems don’t go away within a few days, you should make an appointment with your doctor.
The health insurance company AOK lists the following home remedies for hemorrhoids as possible self-therapy for minor symptoms:
- Sitz baths with clear water and anti-inflammatory additives such as arnica, chamomile, oak bark or tea tree oil
- Gentle but hygienic cleaning of the anus region with water (e.g. moisten toilet paper and just dab the skin)
- Flea seeds (taken with enough liquid, they stimulate bowel movements and soften the stool, which reduces straining on the toilet)
This article only contains general information on the respective health topic and is therefore not intended for self-diagnosis, treatment or medication. In no way does it replace a visit to the doctor. Unfortunately, our editors are not allowed to answer individual questions about clinical pictures.
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