Hemorrhoids
What are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids refer to swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum or anus. The disease is also known as piles. The swellings may occur due to excessive strains on the veins during a bowel movement. During pregnancy, too, piles may occur due to the increased pressure on veins in the rectum.
Piles is one of the most common diseases the world over. It is believed that nearly 50% of population suffers from the disease by the age of 50. Many people however, discover an abnormality late and therefore the disease may get severe form while it is first diagnosed.
Although home treatments and lifestyle changes can treat the disease, many people also opt for medicines to get rid of the disease quickly.
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
The signs and symptoms of having hemorrhoids can be null sometimes. The position of the hemorrhoid is important for the symptoms. Internal hemorrhoids cannot be seen as they exist inside the anus. However, straining during a bowel movement may cause the hemorrhoid bleed. This happens due to the rupture of the delicate outer layers of the hemorrhoids. Sometimes, the hemorrhoids may also protrude out and these are responsible for pain and irritation.
External hemorrhoids occur inside the skin of anus and sometimes may itch or bleed due to pressure. Blood may also get clogged due to these external hemorrhoids may lead to severe pain, swelling and inflammation.
The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids include
• The obvious symptom of hemorrhoids includes a painless bleeding during bowel movements. Getting blood on toilet papers or on the toilet pan is probably the surest symptom.
• The anal region can also suffer from pain or severe discomfort
• Sometimes the hemorrhoids can protrude out of your anus
• Redness and swelling around your anus may also signify piles
• There may be a sensitive or painful lump neighboring the anus or in anal region
• There may be itching and discomfort in the anal region.
• Feces may get leaked while you have hemorrhoids
Diagnosis of Hemorrhoids
The external hemorrhoids can be diagnosed by just a visual examination. The doctor would be able to diagnose the hemorrhoids after a visual inspection and knowing the symptoms and medical history of the patient. The doctor may also check for the presence of rectal tumor or polyp, rectal tumor, enlarged prostate and abscesses.
For internal hemorrhoids, the doctor may use an anoscope, a device that has a light attached at one end so that the internal hemorrhoids or polyps can be diagnosed.
The doctor may also perform a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy if other reasons are believed to be behind the symptoms. The former refers to examination of last 60 cm of the colon while the latter is a test to check whole of the colon.
The other tests may be performed in case the doctor believes that there are other underlying diseases. The tests may be performed if;
• There are signs and symptoms that points that you have another digestive disease
• For people over the age 50 (age 45 if you’re black) and haven’t had colonoscopy within 10 years
• If risk factors for colorectal cancer are found
Causes of Hemorrhoids
The hemorrhoids are a result of over straining of the veins of the lower rectum. The veins usually stretch under pressure and over stretching may lead to swelling and inflammation. It is also noticed that the chances of developing hemorrhoids increase with the increasing age. This happens due to weakening and stretching of the tissues around the veins in rectum.
The major reasons of increased pressure include the following
• Over stretching of the veins during bowel movements
• Passing time or sitting for a longer duration on the toilet
• Other underlying medical conditions, such as chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Being overweight / Obesity
• Pregnancy may also have its effect on the veins of the rectum
• Rupture during anal intercourse may also lead to formation of hemorrhoids
Types of Hemorrhoids
There are two types of hemorrhoids; external and internal.
External hemorrhoids: These hemorrhoids are usually found outside the anal verge. They can be painful and irritating. External hemorrhoids can be itching. However, itching may be a result of skin irritation itself.
External hemorrhoids may progress to thrombosis. When the external hemorrhoids are ruptured, they may result in clotting of blood. These hemorrhoids with blood clot is known as thrombosed hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids: These hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum and are not readily visible. These can be discovered with the help of anoscope. As the area where they occur lack receptor nerves, internal hemorrhoids are often painless. However, they may bleed if ruptured.
Untreated internal hemorrhoids may turn prolapsed when they come out of the anal opening. When the anal sphincter goes to a spasm, the prolapsed hemorrhoids may get trapped. This may result in strangulated hemorrhoids.
Treatment of Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are usually treated with medications and surgeries.
Medications: Your doctor may prescribe a over the counter medication for relieving you from the discomfort of hemorrhoids. These may include creams, ointments, suppositories or pads. The common ingredients of these medicines are witch hazel and hydrocortisones which provide relief from pain and itching.
Apart from medication, other effective procedures include rubber band ligation, injection and coagulation.
Rubber band ligation: This process is performed on the hemorrhoids with tying the base of the hemorrhoids with rubber bands. This cuts off the blood circulation and the hemorrhoid is ultimately cut off. This may cause bleeding but is rarely severe.
Injection: In this process, the doctor injects a chemical solution into the hemorrhoids to shrink it off. Although less painful, the effectiveness of this procedure may be less than rubber band ligation.
Coagulation: In this process laser or infra red light is used to make the hemorrhoids harden and shrivel. It doesn’t have any side effects but is less effective than rubber band ligation.
These OTC medications should not be continued for more than a week as they may have serious effects on the skin.
Surgeries
Hemorrhoidectomy: This process entails removal of excessive hemorrhoids tissues that cause bleeding. a local anesthetic may be used in the process along with sedation, a spinal anesthetic or a general anesthetic.
Stapling: This process staples the hemorrhoids and cut off blood circulation so that the hemorrhoids may die off. It is less painful and discomforting than hemorrhoidectomy but has a more recurrence rate.
Living with Hemorrhoids
Living with hemorrhoids can be painful. The hemorrhoids usually bleed when ruptured. Moreover, they may cause irritation leading to itching. To get quick relief use the medications offered by your physician. You may also undergo a surgery to get rid of the hemorrhoids.
Prevention of Hemorrhoids
To prevent hemorrhoids, the first effective step is to eat high fiber diets. Drinking lots of fluids may also be useful. As straining can worsen the conditions, it should be avoided. Going to toilet as soon as the urge affects- is another way to stop hemorrhoids. Regular exercise is also helpful in diminishing the occurrence rate. The last thing to be kept in mind is that long periods or sitting or standing should be avoided to provide less strain on the anal tissues.
