Hemorrhoids refer to swollen or enlarged veins inside and outside the rectum and anus, the lowest parts of the large intestine through which solid waste leaves the body. Everyone has hemorrhoids, but they don’t cause discomfort until they get inflamed. That said, swollen hemorrhoids can cause pain and even rectal bleeding. The treatment for hemorrhoids varies depending on the type of the condition and the symptoms.

1. Internal hemorrhoids and their treatment
Internal hemorrhoids form inside the rectum, the part of the digestive system that connects the colon to the anus. These types of hemorrhoids may bleed but aren’t usually painful. Patients do not feel any pain or discomfort unless they grow in size. Internal hemorrhoids tend to go away on their own without treatment. That said, doctors may inject a solution into the hemorrhoid tissue for treatment, causing a scar that will close it. Stapling or rubberband ligation is also used to cut off blood supply to the hemorrhoid tissue and push prolapsed hemorrhoids back into place. Surgery or laser treatment is used to remove very large internal hemorrhoids.

2. External hemorrhoids and their treatment
External hemorrhoids grow on the anus, causing severe pain. Unlike internal hemorrhoids, they can be seen as well as felt by hand. They can be itchy, might bleed occasionally, and might fill with blood that can clot at times. Both hot and cold compresses can help reduce pain. Doctors treat external hemorrhoids with medication, ointments, and creams. If they are extremely uncomfortable, doctors may recommend hemorrhoidectomy—a surgical procedure—to remove them. That said, recovery from this procedure can be painful and take weeks.

3. Prolapsed hemorrhoids and their treatment
Internal and external hemorrhoids may sometimes get inflamed and bulge out of the anus; these are called prolapsed hemorrhoids. They may bleed and cause pain and discomfort when sitting or passing a bowel movement. Rubber band ligation is a common treatment method for this type of hemorrhoids. In this process, the doctor uses special medical tools to wrap the hemorrhoid tissue with a rubber band, which instantly cuts off the blood supply. This causes the hemorrhoids to dry, shrink, and fall off. Cauterization is another treatment for this type of hemorrhoids, wherein the doctor makes a tiny burn on the hemorrhoid tissue with an electric probe, a laser beam, or an infrared light and seals its protruding end to shrink it.

4. Thrombosed hemorrhoids and their treatment
A thrombosed hemorrhoid contains a blood clot and may manifest as lumps or swelling around the anus. These types of hemorrhoids are a complication of the condition wherein a blood clot forms. It is extremely painful and can cause itching, swelling, and redness. The most common treatment for this type of hemorrhoid is a procedure called external thrombectomy that involves making an incision in the clot and draining it. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia.

Hot and cold compresses and over-the-counter pain medicines and creams are among the other common treatments for all types of hemorrhoids.