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Hemorrhoids are swelling, bulging veins that develop inside and outside of the anus and rectum. They can be unpleasant and uncomfortable, and they might result in rectal bleeding. Hemorrhoids are sometimes known as piles. We are all born with hemorrhoids, yet they do not bother us. Only when they become swollen and enlarged do they cause bothersome symptoms.
An estimated one in every twenty Americans suffers from symptomatic hemorrhoids. People of all ages, genders, races, and ethnicities are affected. They become increasingly common as you get older, affecting more than half of those over the age of 50.
WHAT ARE THE TYPES OF HEMORRHOIDS?
Hemorrhoids can occur both inside and outside the rectum. The kind is determined by the location of the enlarged vein. Examples include:
- External: Under the skin, swollen veins grow around the anus. Your anus is the canal via which excrement exits. External hemorrhoids can be painful and irritating. They bleed on occasion. They occasionally fill with blood that can clot. This is not hazardous, although it may cause pain and swelling.
- Internal: Swollen veins develop within the rectum. The rectum is the digestive system component that connects the colon (large intestine) to the anus. Internal hemorrhoids can bleed, but they aren't usually unpleasant.
- Prolapsed: Internal and external hemorrhoids can both prolapse, which means they expand and bulge outside of the anus. These hemorrhoids may bleed or hurt.
WHAT EXACTLY IS THE DISTINCTION BETWEEN HEMORRHOIDS AND ANAL FISSURES?
Hemorrhoids and anal fissures have symptoms that are similar, such as itching, pain, and bleeding. Hemorrhoids are caused by enlarged veins, whereas an anal fissure is caused by a rip in the anus lining. Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and may prescribe tests to determine the source of your symptoms.
WHAT ARE THE SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS OF HEMMORHOIDS?
The symptoms you experience are determined by the type of hemorrhoids you have.
Internal hemorrhoids can result in:
- blood on the tissue after having a bowel movement
- Skin that protrudes from the anus during bowel movements
Among the external hemorrhoid symptoms are:
- itching all around the anus
- a bothersome lump(s) or swelling near your anus
- aches or pains in the area of the anus, especially when sitting
Hemorrhoids are not always painful. External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, can occasionally cause a blood clot to form on the skin. This is referred to as a thrombosed hemorrhoid. Internal hemorrhoids can prolapse as well. That is, they will not retract into the anus. Both prolapsed and thrombosed hemorrhoids can be very painful.
Although hemorrhoids are unpleasant, they are not life threatening and often resolve on their own without treatment.
Consult your doctor if you have any bleeding or black bowel motions. Bleeding can be caused by factors other than hemorrhoids and should be investigated. Consult your doctor if your hemorrhoids do not improve after a week of home treatment.
WHAT ARE THE CAUSES OF HEMORRHOIDS?
Straining causes hemorrhoids by putting pressure on veins in the anus or rectum. You might think of them as varicose veins on your legs.
Any straining that puts pressure on your belly or lower extremities can cause anal and rectal veins to swell and become irritated. Hemorrhoids can develop as a result of:
- Pelvic pressure caused by weight growth, particularly during pregnancy.
- Pushing hard to have a bowel movement (poop) due to constipation.
- Lifting big things with effort or weightlifting
HOW ARE HEMORRHOIDS DIAGNOSED?
A visual inspection of your anus may be sufficient to rule out hemorrhoids. Your doctor may perform a separate examination to look for any abnormalities within the anus to confirm the diagnosis.
This examination is known as a digital rectal exam. Your doctor will insert a gloved and lubricated finger into your rectum during this exam.
Your doctor may recommend an anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy based on your risk factors for gastrointestinal disease.
Each of these tests includes your doctor using a small camera to examine your anus, rectum, or colon for any abnormalities.
An anoscopy looks into your anus, a sigmoidoscopy looks at the final two feet (50 cm) of your colon, and a colonoscopy looks at the entire colon.
A small fiber-optic camera is placed in a small tube that is introduced into your rectum during these exams. This test provides your doctor with a clear view of the inside of your rectum, allowing them to examine the hemorrhoid up close.
HOW CAN HEMORRHOIDS BE TREATED AT HOME?
Hemorrhoids frequently resolve on their own without therapy. Symptoms like as discomfort and bleeding may persist a week or so. In the meanwhile, you can take the following methods to alleviate symptoms:
- Apply lidocaine, witch hazel, or hydrocortisone-containing over-the-counter drugs to the affected area.
- Drink plenty of water.
- Increase your fiber consumption through diet and supplements. Make an effort to consume at least 20-35 grams of fiber every day.
- Every day, soak for 10 to 20 minutes in a warm bath (sitz bath).
- Take laxatives to soften your stool.
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) are used to treat pain and inflammation.
- After pooping, use toilet paper with lotion or flushable wet wipes to gently pat and clean your bottom. You can also use a moistened tissue or washcloth. (Dispose of wipes in the trash, not in the toilet.) Washcloths should be washed separately in hot water to reduce the spread of illnesses contained in faeces.)
HOW DO MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS TREAT HEMORRHOIDS?
If your symptoms worsen or interfere with your everyday life or sleep, you should consult your doctor. Seek medical attention if symptoms do not improve after a week of at-home therapies. Your doctor may prescribe the following medications to treat hemorrhoids:
- Rubber band ligation: A little rubber band wrapped around the base of a hemorrhoid shuts off the vein's blood supply.
- Electrocoagulation: This is the use of an electric current to block blood flow to a hemorrhoid.
- Infrared coagulation: A tiny probe put into the rectum transmits heat to the hemorrhoid to kill it.
- Sclerotherapy: This is a procedure in which a chemical is injected into a bulging vein to destroy hemorrhoid tissue.
Surgical treatments include the following:
- Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgery to remove big external hemorrhoids or internal hemorrhoids that have prolapsed.
- Hemorrhoid stapling: A stapling device is used to remove an internal hemorrhoid. Or it pulls and retains a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid back inside the anus.
WHAT CAN I DO TO PREVENT HEMORRHOIDS?
As you get older, hemorrhoids become more common. The following steps can help prevent hard stools and constipation, both of which can lead to hemorrhoids:
- Don't sit on the toilet for too long or push too forcefully.
- Go to the toilet as soon as the desire strikes – don't put off bowel movements.
- Throughout the day, drink lots of water.
- Consume more high-fiber foods (fresh fruits and vegetables, whole grains) or take fiber supplements. In general, women should aim for 25 grams of fiber per day, while males should aim for 35 grams.
- Maintain your physical activity level. Being active keeps the bowels moving.
- Only use laxatives or enemas as directed by your healthcare provider. Using too many laxatives or enemas can make it difficult for your body to regulate how you poop.
WHAT ARE THE COMPLICATIONS OF HEMORRHOIDS?
Hemorrhoids can be inconvenient and painful, although they seldom cause major complications. People with hemorrhoids rarely develop:
- Anemia.
- External hemorrhoids that have blood clots.
- Infection.
- Skin tags (flap of tissue that hangs off skin).
- Hemorrhoids that are strangulated (muscles in the anus cut off blood flow to a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid).
CONCLUSION
Hemorrhoids are swollen and bulging veins in the anus and rectum. They are fairly prevalent and are caused by rectal vein strain. Chronic constipation, pushing during bowel movements, a family history of hemorrhoids, and pregnancy are all risk factors.
The majority of hemorrhoids resolve on their own. Treatments often focus on symptom relief and may include warm baths and the use of hydrocortisone or a hemorrhoid cream or suppository. Exercising, drinking plenty of water, and eating more fiber can all help relieve constipation and prevent the formation of future hemorrhoids.