When to call the doctor

• If you develop bleeding between bowel movements or have a moderate amount of bleeding from hemorrhoids, you should consult your doctor.
• If you are over age 40 years or have a family history of colon cancer, you should see your doctor for rectal bleeding .
• If you have prolapsed hemorrhoids that will not go back through the anus, or you have significant pain from your hemorrhoids, you should consult your doctor.
• Other causes of rectal bleeding exist that are much more serious than hemorrhoids. Inflammatory bowel disease and colorectal cancers can have rectal bleeding . Make your doctor aware of your bleeding . If you are older than 40 years, have a family history of colorectal cancer, prolonged bleeding , or are experiencing other symptoms, you should not delay in seeing a doctor.

When to go to the hospital

Most of the time hemorrhoids can be managed by your doctor. A few situations may require you to go to the emergency department.

• If you have significant pain, bleeding , or a prolapsed hemorrhoid and are unable to contact your doctor, then you should be evaluated in the hospital.
• If you have a large amount of bleeding from your rectum, become weak, or experience dizziness , you should go to your hospital's emergency department

Self-Care at Home

The treatment for hemorrhoids is different depending on the severity of the problem. Most of the time, the treatment is conservative and performed at home.

• Hot sitz baths

• A sitz bath is recommended 3 times a day and after each bowel movement for at least 15 minutes.
• For a sitz bath, sit in a few inches of warm water in a tub.
• This is the best way to lessen the swelling and the pain.
• Be sure to thoroughly dry the skin around your anus after each bath so that it doesn't rub and become torn.

• Dietary changes

• Drink more liquids and eat more leafy green vegetables, which will make stools bulkier and softer to relieve constipation .
• Some people with constipation or hard stools may benefit from increasing the amount of bran and fiber in their diet.

• Stool softeners

• Stool softeners might also help.
• You should be cautious in choosing a laxative for your constipation .
• If a laxative causes watery, runny stools, it could cause an infection in the anus and should not be used.

• Sitting restrictions

• Some doctors also recommend people with hemorrhoids not sit for a long period of time.
• Some people feel more comfortable sitting on an air doughnut.

• Over-the-counter medications

• Many creams, ointments, and suppositories are sold as pain relievers and medicines for hemorrhoids.
• These medications are of little help and sometimes might even cause the hemorrhoids to take longer to heal, so consult with your doctor first

Follow-up

• Warm sitz baths 3 times a day and after each bowel movement along with increasing the amount of liquids and leafy vegetables in your diet are beneficial.
• Any pain from hemorrhoids should be managed with over-the-counter pain relievers.
• You may receive prescriptions for stool softeners, and these should be taken as directed by your doctor.
• If you develop worsening pain, bleeding, fever, abdominal pain , or vomiting after being treated for hemorrhoids, then you should contact your doctor or go to the emergency department.

Prevention

No definite way has been found to avoid hemorrhoids. Eating a high-fiber diet and avoiding straining at bowel movements is thought to aid in preventing hemorrhoids, but there is no way to completely eliminate the risk.