Suppositories and hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels in and around the anus and rectum. They can become enlarged and irritated, causing pain and discomfort. Glycerin suppositories are a solid preparation of medicine meant to be inserted into the rectum, where they dissolve and are absorbed through the lining of the rectum. Over-the-counter (OTC) suppositories work best for mild hemorrhoid pain. Several types of suppositories exist, each has different medications for different results. Some hemorrhoid suppositories can relieve swelling and burning. Others may relieve constipation that can worsen hemorrhoids. Prescription-strength versions of many OTC suppositories are also available.
Homemade hemorrhoid suppositories are an option, too. Herbal remedies, like witch hazel and coconut oil, can provide some relief for hemorrhoids. However, these suppositories won’t contain active medication to treat the swelling and pain.
Suppository vs. topical
Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum, while external hemorrhoids occur under the skin around the anus. External hemorrhoids frequently cause itching, irritation, and pain. Internal hemorrhoids can cause pain, too. However, they may not be as irritating or painful as external ones because the tissue lining the internal rectum has fewer nerve endings. Creams, ointments, and pastes are commonly applied to external hemorrhoids for temporary relief. These OTC and prescription treatments can ease burning, itching, or mild pain. Suppositories are better for internal hemorrhoids. The medicine is absorbed by the rectal tissue and can help all discomfort and pain caused by hemorrhoids. They can sometimes soothe the symptoms caused by external hemorrhoids as well.
Suppositories are typically used two to four times per day for a week. It’s better if you insert after a bowel movement so the effect can last longer. External creams and ointments can be applied whenever you need relief. However, the relief isn’t as long-lasting as that of a suppository. That’s because a suppository breaks down more slowly, releasing medication over a longer period of time. Both topicals and suppositories should only be used for a limited time to prevent possible complications. Minor bleeding is common with hemorrhoids. If you’re seeing small amounts of bright red blood on tissue paper or on stool, that’s normal. It’s still safe to use a suppository. If, however, your stool is black, or you notice large amounts of blood in your stool, call your doctor.
Glycerin suppositories are another way to deliver drugs to the body when other routes, such as oral, cannot be used. A suppository is small and may be round, oval, or cone-shaped. A substance, such as cocoa butter or gelatin, surrounds the medication. The suppository dissolves to release the drug once inside the body. Glycerin suppositories may treat the local area, or the medicine may travel to other parts of the body through the bloodstream.
Glycerol - Uses, Side Effects, and More
Glycerol is a naturally occurring alcohol. It is an odorless liquid that is used as a solvent, sweetening agent, and also as medicine. When glycerol is in the intestines, it attracts water into the gut, softening stools and relieving constipation. When glycerol is in the blood, it attracts water so that the water stays in the body longer. This might help an athlete exercise for longer. People use glycerol for constipation, improving athletic performance, and for certain skin conditions. It is also used for stroke, obesity, ear infections, and many other conditions.
Why use glycerin suppositories?
Suppositories deliver many types of medication, and a person may need to use them if they:
- are having seizures and cannot take medicines by mouth
- are unable to swallow medication for any reason
- are vomiting and cannot keep pills or liquids down
- have a blockage that stops the medication moving through the digestive system
People may also take glycerin suppositories if the medication:
- tastes too bad to take by mouth
- would break down too quickly in the gut
- could be destroyed in the gastrointestinal tract
Research also suggests that taking medications through the rectum allows for a relatively constant environment for a drug to be delivered. The rate of absorption may, however, be lower than that of drugs taken by mouth.
Best practice for using a suppository
It’s possible to insert a suppository on your own. You may also ask a family member for help until you get used to doing it. To start, you will need the suppository and the applicator that comes with it, if one is available. You’ll also want to have soap and a sink nearby. Some people prefer to use a lubricating jelly to make inserting the medicine easier. First, check that the suppository is firm. If the medicine is too warm, you may want to chill it in the fridge for a few minutes before inserting it. The cooling effect will also provide relief. Empty your bowels if you can. The longer the medicine remains in place without being pushed out, the better.
Step 1
When you’re ready, remove lower garments, and tear off any wrappings on the suppository. Apply a bit of lubricating jelly to the end of the suppository. Don’t use a petroleum jelly-based option like Vaseline. It may prevent the suppository from melting.
Step 2
Stand beside a chair with one foot propped up. Or lie down on one side with your bottom leg straight and your top leg tucked toward your stomach. Relax your buttocks and take a deep breath.
Step 3
Insert the suppository into your rectum, the narrowed end going in first. Gently, but firmly, push the suppository into your body, making sure it’s at least one inch past the anal sphincter.
Step 4
Sit down or remaining lying down for at least 15 minutes. This allows the body’s heat to melt the suppository and the absorption process to begin.
Step 5
After 15 minutes has lapsed, dress, then throw away any wrappings. Wash your hands.
Tips for use
Try to avoid using the bathroom for at least an hour. This gives the medicine more time to work before it may be washed or wiped away by urine or a bowel movement. If you’re using a suppository with a gauze insert, you will want to leave the gauze in place for at least an hour. After an hour, you can tug on the string to remove it from the rectum.
Herbal and home remedies
In addition to OTC and prescription medicated suppositories, you can make and use alternative suppositories. These are designed to provide comfort and relief, but they don’t have active ingredients to reduce swelling, irritation, and pain.
Coconut oil suppositories can be used with hemorrhoids. These are formed by freezing coconut oil in small cylinders. When you’re ready to insert the suppository, you can remove one and quickly insert it into the rectum. The cooled oil provides instant relief. Coconut oil may also provide prolonged relief due to potential anti-inflammatory properties. You can also make your own laxative suppositories. Combine mineral oil and a solid oil, such as coconut oil or cocoa butter. Freeze into cylinders, and remove one when you’re ready to insert. Mineral oil is absorbed by the body and can help ease stool through your intestines.
Laxatives
Treatment with a laxative is needed only if lifestyle measures, such as eating plenty of fibre, drinking enough fluid, and exercising regularly do not work well in relieving constipation. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if you think you need a laxative.
What are the different types of laxatives?
There are several types of laxatives that differ in how quickly they start working, how helpful they are in different situations, their taste and cost and possible side effects. Some of them are available from your pharmacy, and others on prescription from your doctor. The four main groups of laxatives are:
- bulk-forming laxatives (or fibre supplements)
- stimulant laxatives that act on the bowel's nervous system to get the bowel moving
- osmotic laxatives that draw water into the bowel
- stool or poo softeners.
There are different forms of laxatives. Some can be taken by mouth; others such as an enema inserted in the bottom. Tablets, capsules, syrups, drops and powders are taken by mouth, and depending on the type of laxative, can take hours or days to work.
Rectal laxatives (enemas or suppositories) are inserted into the rectum (bottom). These are usually effective within minutes to an hour and are mainly used as a last resort to treat severe constipation.
More-detailed information on laxative types
Always ask your doctor or pharmacist which laxative is best for you.
- Usually, treatment with a bulk-forming laxative is tried first.
- If poos remain hard then an osmotic laxative may be tried, or used with a bulk-forming laxative.
- If bowel movements are soft but you still find them difficult to pass then a stimulant laxative may be tried.
- In cases of severe constipation (impaction), high doses of the osmotic laxatives may be used.
1. Bulk-forming laxatives (or fibre supplements)
Bulk-forming laxatives are high in fibre which adds bulk to the poos. The bulky size stimulates the bowel muscles, causing poos to move along, leading to an easier bowel movement.
They usually take 2 to 3 days to cause a bowel movement. Bulk-forming laxatives may be useful in people with haemorrhoids, anal fissure, chronic diarrhoea associated with diverticular disease and irritable bowel syndrome. They are not recommended for constipation caused by opioids, or in people unable to maintain adequate fluid intake, at risk of dehydration or with problems swallowing. It's important to drink enough fluids when using bulk-forming laxatives - not drinking enough fluids can cause blockage of the gut.
Examples include:
- unprocessed bran or oat bran
- psyllium (Konsyl D®, Mucilax®, Metamucil®, Bonvit®)
- sterculia (Normacol®, Normafibe®)
2. Stimulant laxatives
Stimulant laxatives stimulate the nerves in the bowel, causing muscle contractions and in this way gets the bowel moving. The tablets or capsules usually cause a bowel movement after 8 to 12 hours. A bedtime dose is recommended, so you are likely to feel the urge to go to the toilet sometime the next morning. The rectal stimulant laxatives (suppositories or enemas) are quick acting and cause a bowel movement after 15 minutes but may take up to 1 hour. Stimulant laxatives are used for constipation caused by opioids or when complete emptying of the bowel is required such as before surgery (operation).
Examples include:
- Tablets:
- bisacodyl (Dulcolax tablet)
- sennoside B (Senokot tablet).
- Suppositories:
- bisacodyl (Dulcolax suppository, Lax-Suppositories®)
- gylcerol suppositories.
3. Osmotic laxatives
Osmotic laxatives draw water into the bowel. The bowel becomes filled (distended) with extra fluid, and this stimulates the muscles of the walls of the bowels to contract and squeeze the bowel movement along. The oral liquids usually take 1 to 3 days to cause a bowel motion. The rectal osmotic laxatives (enema) usually cause a bowel motion within 30 minutes.
Examples include:
- Syrup:
- lactulose (Laevolac).
- Powder (to be mixed with water):
- Movicol
- Lax-Sachets
- Molaxole.
- Enema:
- Fleet enema
- Micolette enema
- Microlax enema.
Sources:
https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323008#uses
https://www.healthline.com/health/general-use/how-to-use-rectal-suppositories
https://www.webmd.com/vitamins/ai/ingredientmono-4/glycerol
https://www.healthnavigator.org.nz/medicines/l/laxatives/
#hemorrhoid #laxatives #glycerol #glycerin suppositories #constipation #blood
Prepared by Viktorija Stučytė based on online sources
