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Dr. Marc Brand discusses the effectiveness of over-the-counter hemorrhoid treatments.
Dr. Brand:
It depends on what the symptoms are that you are trying to treat. If you are treating itching, that’s something that a lot of the over-counter preparations can often be very helpful. If you are trying to treat bleeding or prolapse, that’s much less likely that these over-the-counter preparations can be helpful.
The reason for that is that the hemorrhoidal condition is often related to a mechanical problem, and the medications that people can get over the counter are directed more towards inflammation, an entirely different process that’s not causing the symptoms.
About Dr. Marc I. Brand, M.D.:
Dr. Marc I. Brand, M.D., received his Bachelor’s Degree in biomedical engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago in 1986 and graduated from Rush Medical College in 1990. Dr. Brand completed eight years of surgical training at the Cleveland Clinic, including a five-year residency in general surgery, a two-year fellowship in surgical research and a one-year fellowship in colorectal surgery.
Visit Dr. Brand at University Surgeons