In most cases, home treatment of hemorrhoids is as effective as medical treatment. If you know how to shrink hemorrhoids and relieve the symptoms, you can manage this embarrassing, uncomfortable condition on your own.

Hemorrhoids are swollen rectal veins. That's why it's important to know how to shrink hemorrhoids-reducing the swelling helps them heal.

There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external.

Internal hemorrhoids are inside the rectum and are usually painless. Most people don't even know they have internal hemorrhoids unless the hemorrhoids bleed or prolapse.

Internal hemorrhoids are most likely to bleed when you have a constipated bowel movement. You will see a small amount of bright red blood on the outside of your BM, on the toilet paper or in the stool.

Occasionally internal hemorrhoids are pushed out of the rectum, or prolapsed, when you strain to have a bowel movement. You may be able to gently push it back up inside your rectum, which is the best home treatment of hemorrhoids that have prolapsed.

External hemorrhoids are located around the anus. They can by itchy and extremely painful, especially if they become thrombosed. If you know how to shrink hemorrhoids, you may be able to keep them from getting thrombosed.

Thrombosed hemorrhoids are full of clotted blood and feel like a hard lump on the anus. They can be swollen, inflamed and very painful. Home treatment of hemorrhoids usually relieves the pain and swelling within a few days.

• Avoid sitting or standing in one position for long periods of time.
• Avoid sitting on the toilet for very long.
• Avoid either constipation or diarrhea. Eat a high-fiber diet, drink lots of water and exercise regularly to prevent constipation. Avoid stimulating laxatives, which can cause diarrhea. Use bulk laxatives or stool softeners if you become too constipated.

• Sitting in a warm bathtub several times a day for 15-20 minutes.
• Applying ice packs to the rectal area for 15-20 minutes two or three times a day
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• Keeping the rectal area clean and dry. Avoid soap, which is drying. Cleanse the area with plain water and gently pat dry or use a blow dryer set on low.
• Using wipes or moistened toilet paper after a bowel movement instead of dry paper.

Whenever possible, it's best to manage health conditions with quality, effective natural products. They are gentle, well tolerated and have fewer side effects than traditional medications. Even acetaminophen and ibuprofen-which many people take for home treatment of hemorrhoid pain-have severe and sometimes fatal side effects if you don't use them carefully. NEVER exceed the recommended dosage of these medications unless your physician tells you to.

• There has been a recent change in your bowel movements.
• You have abdominal pain with bowel movements.
• You have lost weight without trying.
• Your bowel movements are black or tarry-looking.

If you have any questions about how to shrink hemorrhoids, please write to us.