There are several options to treat piles – home remedies, lifestyle changes Homeopathy, laser surgery and more. Some people use home remedies and sometimes for quick effective results they use laser surgery. Piles or hemorrhoids cause a great deal of pain and discomfort if not treated and they do not go on their own without treatment. These are the enlarged veins at the junction of rectum and anus.
Laser treatment for piles and its benefits
Now the question is why to choose laser piles surgery over home remedies to cure piles? The primary reason is laser is a minimally invasive daycare procedure. There are no cuts and negligible pain during the surgery. Home remedies may only cure grade 1 and 2 piles whereas laser surgery is used to treat all grades. The complete laser procedure takes 30-40 minutes.
The laser effectively treats hemorrhoids, improves symptoms and reduces post-operative pain. Here are the advantages of piles:
- Less operative time
- Short hospital stay
- Back to normal routine in 3-5 days
- No scars and wounds
- Faster recovery as there are no cuts and stitches
- Quick relief from symptoms
- No or minimum post-operative pain
- Reduced infection risk
- Negligible recurrence rate
- No chances of fecal leakage
Home remedies for piles
There are several home remedies or over-the-counter medication to ease the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Home remedies have natural healing properties. Although severe piles can not be cured completely with home remedies, they may help ease the symptoms and make them tolerable. Some of them are:
- Sitz bath
Sit in a warm water tub to ease the swelling and irritation caused by hemorrhoids. Taking a warm bath 20 minutes after each bowel movement will be very effective.
- Witch hazel
Witch hazel, in liquid form, can be directly applied to the hemorrhoids. It reduces pain and itching due to hemorrhoids as it is anti-inflammatory. It is an astringent that causes the tissues to shrink.
- Coconut oil
This is easily available at home and acts as a natural moisturizer. The swelling and irritation can be reduced by applying coconut oil to the affected area.
- Aloe vera
Aloe vera is an anti-inflammatory that helps in healing piles wound. It provides great relief from burning, swelling and itching on applying on the affected piles.
- Ice packs
Apply ice packs to the anus to swelling and do this atleast 3-4 times a day for 15 minutes. For large, painful hemorrhoids this can be very soothing. But do not apply frozen directly on the skin, wrap it inside a cloth or towel.
- Over-the-counter medication
These are the ointments or creams which you may get at any nearby medical shop. Some of the provide relief from pain while some temporarily shrink them.
- Soothing wipes
Do not use toilet papers after bowel movements, instead use wipes to keep yourself clean. Using toilet papers may aggravate existing hemorrhoids. Note that the wipes you use should not have alcohol, perfumes or any other irritants.
- Wear loose clothes
Wear extra loose and breathable clothes if you know you have piles. Do not use fabric softener and perfumed detergents to reduce irritation.
Lifestyle changes
Making lifestyle changes can reduce the risk of developing piles or even help reduce the symptoms of piles. This should be followed even after the surgery.
- Stay hydrated
Drinking a lot of water keeps you hydrated and keeps the stool soft and manageable. This will need less energy during bowel movements and cause less irritation and pain to the hemorrhoids.
- Foods that help treat piles
A fiber-rich diet is very important for healthy digestion, especially when it comes to bowel movements. Fiber can absorb more water and makes the stool softer.
- Practice healthy toilet habits
There are a few things that you must stop doing in the bathroom during piles. Do not strain as it makes piles worse. Do not use a toilet paper that is too irritating and can aggravate piles. Use damp or soft wipes. It is better to take a squatting position while having a bowel movement as it helps in passing stool easily.
All these home remedies may help you reduce the symptoms of piles. During initial stages, they may temporarily remove the piles and sometimes they take longer than expected. If piles do not get proper treatment, they may grow in size and number. Home remedies take time to show the results. Even if you take home remedies for your piles, consult a doctor.
Prefer Laser treatment over Home remedies for Piles
Laser Surgery | Home remedies |
Permanently cures piles and its symptoms | Takes time to reduce the symptoms of piles |
Treats both internal and external piles | Home remedies may not be able to treat severe piles |
Negligible chances of recurrence | May occur again |
Within 3-5 days you can get back to a normal routine | As it takes time, people need to take rest for longer |
Conclusion
It is important to see the doctor if the symptoms of piles do not improve with any home remedy. Even before going for a home remedy, consult a doctor. Home remedy is simply a reason to delay surgery as it may only reduce the symptoms. In many cases, home remedies are not helpful. For the best piles treatment, go for laser treatment.
Also Read:Get Rid of External Hemorrhoids in 48 hours
Author Bio:
Aisha is a passionate blogger. She has expertise in writing health articles. She have been serving society as a Health adviser. She loves keeping himself up-to-date with the news and happenings around. She is always open to learning and shares his experiences on Greetings of the Day.