Are home remedies for hemorrhoids actually effective, or little more than a placebo?
Believe it or not, most of the home remedies that people recommend for hemorrhoids have not been vigorously studied in the sort of double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical design that is the gold standard for medical science.
But we do have some ideas about efficacy based on anecdotal evidence, and on the degree to which these methods comport with our existing knowledge of biology. We also know that hemorrhoid doctors freely recommend using at least one or two of these approaches before you consider hemorrhoid removal surgery here in Los Angeles.
So what works? Sitz baths, stool softeners, and exercise are all relatively simple measures you can do at home which don’t require a trip to your hemorrhoid clinic. The baths work by reducing inflammation and irritation, while the stool softeners can help diminish the amount of straining required on the toilet.
Exercise is the biggest and hardest home remedy to implement, but it can also be the most effective. Hemorrhoids rarely appear in athletes or active people; they require lots of sitting, and tend to target sedentary adults.
When home remedies cease to work, it’s time to visit a hemorrhoid specialist. Dr. Maz Ghodsian is widely considered the best hemorrhoid doctor in Los Angeles. To learn more, call today.