Hemorrhoids
Causes, Symptoms, And Treatment
Options For Hemorrhoids
Information about Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids, if detected early on are easier to treat; there are many at-home remedies that are available for alleviating the symptoms associated with it. Also you can learn about precautionary measures to prevent the hemorrhoids from recurring.
Hemorrhoids are defines a condition where the veins if the rectal and anal area get swollen and stressed due to increased pressure on them over a period of time. Hemorrhoids can develop into a very painful condition, though only milder symptoms are experienced in the earlier stages of this condition. If you find that the at-home remedies for relieving hemorrhoids are not working well, it is advisable to consult a doctor and opt for a more permanent cure.
Types of Hemroids
Internal and external hemorrhoids differ in their location in the body. You can discern these two types of hemorrhoids by looking at published pictures of these conditions.
Internal Hemorrhoids and Symptoms
The main symptoms of internal hemorrhoids are as follows:
- Discomfort after passing a bowel
- Bulging of the intestine
- Blood in the stool
Studying the different symptoms of hemorrhoids can help you identify this condition. Blood in the stool and anal area, is a very common symptom and characteristic of internal hemorrhoids. There is a lot of discomfort also associated with this condition and people generally feel that they need to “go” even after relieving themselves.
If left untreated, internal hemorrhoids can lead to development of more serious symptoms. This is due to the enlargement of the veins and accumulation of blood clots. Internal hemorrhoids may even protrude out if the anus, if left unattended. This can be a very painful state due to the strain caused by the anal muscles.
Symptoms of External hemorrhoids
The main symptoms of external hemroids include:
- Inflamed skin
- Swelling
- Itching
Similar to internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids can also get worse and get serious, if ignored for a long time. When the external hemorrhoid symptoms are still at the earlier and milder stage, try using ointments and creams to relive the itching and pain. Thrombosed hemorrhoids develop when the veins develop blood clot in them due to excessive pressure. It is best then to stop at-home treatments and get a doctor’s opinion for more permanent cure.
Why do Hemorrhoids Happen?
The reasons leading to the development of hemorrhoids are as follows:
Increased pressure
Pressure in the abdominal area due to obesity, pregnancy or lifting heavy weights leads to development of hemorrhoids.
Common reasons for the increased pressure include:
1. Pushing too hard on the toilet
Constipated or hard stools exert a lot of pressure on the veins in the rectal and anal areas.
If constipation persists, the hemorrhoids can only get worse, and exert more pressure.
2. Obesity
People who ate heavy may also cause excessive pressure in the abdominal area. Constant pressure can slowly lead to hemorrhoids, and may need certain remedies to relieve the symptoms
3. Poor eating habits
Fiber and roughage is very essential for the body. A diet lacking in these vital food items leads to poor bowel movements. Fiber and roughage makes the bowel movements smooth and thus prevent the worsening of hemorrhoids. Thus, start with changing your dietary habits along with other remedies when you want to get rid of hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids Diagnosis
You must consult a doctor for correct diagnosis of hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids are diagnosed easier than internal ones. For internal hemorrhoids the doctor may need to insert a gloved finger or scope inside your anal region to assess the severity of your condition.
If you have rectal bleeding it may also be indicative of rectal or anal cancer. This is vital to get an accurate diagnosis. The methods of diagnosis use a lighted scope called sigmoidoscope that is used to visualize the lower half of the colon or a colonoscopy to look at the entire colon.
Treatment of hemorrhoids
Various creams and ointments are available to provide relief from the itching and inflammation of hemorrhoids. This along with healthy eating habits regulates bowel movements and eases pressure from the rectal and anal area.
For advanced level of this condition you might have to resort to other treatments. These treatments include barrier methods such as rubber band ligation that cuts off the blood supply and thus leads to the withering of the hemorrhoid tissue.
Surgery is the last resort, and is generally used when there is no other remedy that can deal with the advanced case of hemorrhoids.
