Haemorrhoids/piles are commonly caused by high pressure from factors like pregnancy, obesity, or straining during bowel movements. By the time individuals reach midlife, haemorrhoids frequently become a persistent issue.
By the age of 50, roughly half of the population has encountered one or more of the typical symptoms, which can include rectal discomfort, itching, bleeding, and potential prolapse (haemorrhoids that extend outside the anal canal). Haemorrhoids are usually not dangerous, but they can be painful and recurring problems. Fortunately, there are many effective ways to treat haemorrhoids.
This article provides detailed guidance on getting rid of piles, offering a range of remedies, from food and lifestyle modifications to medication.
How to Get Rid of Piles Fast?
Many mild cases of haemorrhoids can be effectively managed at home with natural remedies and lifestyle changes.
► Home Remedies
Effective home care is crucial for managing haemorrhoids. Maintaining cleanliness and dryness in the anal area can help reduce symptoms and avert complications. Below is a more detailed exploration of the suggested home remedies:
1. Soak in a Warm Sitz Bath
Fill a bathtub or sitz bath with several inches of warm water. Soak the anal area for 15 to 20 minutes, two to three times daily. This will help reduce swelling, relieve pain, and soothe irritation.
2. Apply Cold Compresses
Wrap ice cubes in a fresh towel or apply an ice pack. Apply it to the affected area for 10 to 15 minutes. This provides immediate comfort by numbing the area and reducing oedema.
3. Gentle Cleaning
After each bowel movement, gently clean the anal area using water or moist wipes instead of dry toilet paper. This approach helps lower the risk of irritation and infection. Water or moist wipes are softer on the skin, while dry toilet paper can be rough and may worsen the sensitive area around haemorrhoids. Gentle cleaning prevents further irritation, bleeding, and inflammation, promoting quicker relief and healing.
4. Dry Properly
After cleaning or soaking in a sitz bath, make sure to thoroughly dry the anal area. Use a soft cloth to pat it dry gently. Keeping the area dry is important because excess moisture can worsen Piles symptoms and increase the risk of irritation or infection. Drying properly helps prevent issues like fungal infections and skin irritation, ensuring better comfort and healing.
► Lifestyle and Dietary Changes
Piles are often linked to lifestyle and dietary habits. Making thoughtful adjustments can significantly lower the risk and severity of haemorrhoids. Here are some simple yet effective changes to consider:
5. Conscious Eating
Take time to eat slowly, savouring each bite. Focus on the taste, texture, and act of chewing, and ensure you chew food thoroughly before swallowing. This practice not only helps digestion but also prevents constipation by helping food move more smoothly through the gut. By avoiding rushed eating, you also minimise overeating, which can stress your digestive system and lead to straining during bowel movements—a major cause of haemorrhoids.
6. Increase Fibre Intake
Add more fibre-rich foods to your meals, such as whole grains, fruits, vegetables, and legumes. If it’s difficult to meet your daily fibre needs through diet alone, consider fibre supplements. Fibre helps bulk up and soften stools, making them easier to pass without straining. Foods like oats, whole wheat bread, apples, lentils, and broccoli are great options to include in your diet.
7. Stay Hydrated
Drink plenty of water daily to complement your fibre intake. Fibre absorbs water to keep stools soft and easy to pass, but without adequate hydration, a fibre-rich diet can still lead to hard stools and constipation, worsening Piles symptoms.
8. Eat Flavonoid-rich Foods
Incorporate foods like berries, cherries, and citrus fruits into your diet. These foods help improve blood vessel health, which can reduce haemorrhoid discomfort and prevent worsening symptoms.
9. Avoid Straining
During bowel movements, avoid pushing too hard or rushing the process. Straining puts excessive pressure on the veins in the rectal area, which can cause or worsen piles. Instead, relax and let the process happen naturally.
10. Don’t Delay Bowel Movements
When you feel the urge to go, don’t hold it in. Delaying bowel movements can cause stools to harden, making them harder to pass and increasing the likelihood of straining. Responding promptly reduces this risk and promotes regularity.
11. Exercise Regularly
Stay active with regular exercise to improve digestion, reduce constipation, and enhance blood circulation. Physical activity prevents blood from pooling in the rectal veins and can help reduce the risk of haemorrhoids. Exercises like walking, swimming, yoga, and pilates are particularly beneficial, and strengthening your core can also ease pressure on the rectal veins. Pelvic floor exercises can further support circulation in the rectal area, preventing piles development.
12. Limit Time on the Toilet
Avoid spending excessive time on the toilet, especially while reading or using your phone. Sitting too long increases pressure on the rectal veins, leading to swelling and worsening haemorrhoids over time. Make your bathroom trips efficient and focused.
Related Blog: How to Get Rid of External Hemorrhoids in 48 Hours ?
► Medicines for Haemorrhoids (Piles)
When it comes to treating haemorrhoids, various over-the-counter and prescription medications can offer effective relief from discomfort, itching, & swelling.
16. Creams and Ointments
Many over-the-counter creams and ointments for haemorrhoids help relieve symptoms like itching, burning, and irritation. These topical treatments often contain ingredients such as hydrocortisone or witch hazel to calm inflammation and reduce redness. Some also include a mild local anaesthetic to numb the area and relieve pain quickly.
When applied directly, they form a protective barrier over the skin, which prevents further irritation from moisture or bowel movements. However, prolonged use, especially of steroid-based creams, can thin the skin, so it’s best to limit use to one week unless advised otherwise by a healthcare professional.
17. Suppositories
For internal haemorrhoids, suppositories can be particularly helpful. These are small, medicated capsules inserted into the rectum, where they dissolve and deliver relief from within.
Suppositories usually contain similar ingredients as creams, including anti-inflammatory agents and soothing components that reduce swelling and ease painful bowel movements. They also help lubricate the area, making passing stool less uncomfortable. Always follow the usage instructions carefully to avoid irritation or overuse.
18. Pain Relievers
Over-the-counter painkillers like ibuprofen, paracetamol, or aspirin can help manage haemorrhoid-related discomfort. Ibuprofen specifically reduces inflammation along with pain, which makes it a popular choice. Paracetamol is gentle on the stomach and effective for pain. Avoid medications with codeine, as they can cause constipation, which may worsen symptoms. Stick to the recommended dosage and consult your doctor if you’re unsure about interactions with other medications.
19. Prescription Topical Treatments
For more severe or persistent haemorrhoids, stronger prescription creams and ointments may be necessary. These often contain higher concentrations of corticosteroids or include a combination of anti-inflammatory agents and local anaesthetics.
Common options include Anusol HC (hydrocortisone), Scheriproct (a corticosteroid and anaesthetic blend), and Proctosedyl (which combines soothing and anti-inflammatory ingredients). These treatments are more potent and should only be used under medical supervision to avoid side effects like skin thinning or allergic reactions.
20. Oral Medications
Doctors may recommend oral medications to tackle symptoms from within. Paracetamol and ibuprofen are often prescribed for pain, while stronger options like codeine are used in more severe cases, though they carry a risk of constipation.
If bowel movements are contributing to your discomfort, laxatives such as Fybogel or Lactulose may be prescribed to soften stools and ease straining. Always follow your doctor’s advice when using these medications and report any side effects promptly.
► Medical Treatments for Piles
21. Rubber Band Ligation
If home remedies are insufficient, medical treatments can provide effective relief. Rubber Band Ligation is a minimally invasive procedure that involves placing a band around the haemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply, causing it to shrink and fall off.
22. Hemorrhoidectomy
For more severe cases, surgical options may be necessary. The Hemorrhoidectomy, surgical removal of haemorrhoids, is typically recommended for large or persistent haemorrhoids. Alternatively, haemorrhoidopexy repositions prolapsed haemorrhoids and secures them, often with less pain and a quicker recovery time than traditional surgery.
Final Thoughts
Piles/Haemorrhoids can fluctuate over the years, often becoming more common as one age. Discomfort from haemorrhoids is particularly prevalent in individuals over 50 years old.
Since piles may return after treatment, it’s crucial to maintain a diet rich in fibre to prevent constipation and reduce straining during bowel movements. Engaging in regular physical activity and keeping a healthy weight can also lower your chances of developing haemorrhoids in the future.
For a better understanding of haemorrhoids and how to identify them, refer to our blog, What Do Hemorrhoids Look Like?
Mild haemorrhoids may resolve on their own within a few days, but larger ones typically require medical intervention. Therefore, if you have haemorrhoids that do not improve with home treatments or over-the-counter solutions, consult your doctor.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do haemorrhoids go away on their own?
Yes, haemorrhoids can often disappear without any treatment. While symptoms such as pain and bleeding may last for about a week or a bit longer, you can relieve these symptoms by using over-the-counter creams that contain ingredients like lidocaine, witch hazel, or hydrocortisone.
2. How can I get rid of piles quickly?
To relieve discomfort, consider soaking in a sitz bath for about 20 minutes, three times a day. This bath helps to clean the area around the rectum. You can find sitz baths at local medical stores. Additionally, topical relief gels and creams available over the counter are effective treatments for haemorrhoids.
3. Should I try to push the haemorrhoid back in?
If a haemorrhoid is bulging out from the anal area, you can gently try to push it back inside. Keeping haemorrhoids hanging outside can increase the risk of complications like clotting or strangulation.
4. When is surgery needed for piles/haemorrhoids?
Doctors usually recommend surgery for grade 3 or grade 4 haemorrhoids. During this procedure, the doctor will remove the swollen haemorrhoids using tools such as scissors, a scalpel, or a laser.
5. Is haemorrhoid surgery painful?
After having a haemorrhoidectomy, you should expect some pain, which people often describe as significant. However, most are able to manage this pain with medicines. Doctors typically suggest various pain management methods, including both oral and topical medications and careful wound care.
