Hemorrhoids – What is it, Symptoms and Treatments

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus or lower rectum, which can be internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids are inside the rectum. External hemorrhoids are outside the anal opening . Hemorrhoids can be painful or itchy. They can also bleed during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids are very common, 75% of people will have hemorrhoids at some point in their life. Hemorrhoids are most common in people between the ages of 45 and 65.

What Are the Symptoms of Hemorrhoids ?:  You may not have noticeable symptoms of internal hemorrhoids. Sometimes a bowel movement can irritate an internal hemorrhoid and cause bleeding. If the internal hemorrhoid is pushed out of your anal opening, you may have bleeding during bowel movements and symptoms in the anal area that include:
– Itching
– Burning
– Discomfort
– Pain
– Lump
– Swelling

These are the same symptoms that can be experienced in some  external hemorrhoids .

How Long Do Hemorrhoid Symptoms Last?: If  your Hemorrhoids are small, your symptoms may disappear within a few days without treatment. You may also need to make dietary and lifestyle changes. Some internal hemorrhoids become so enlarged that they protrude out of the anus. These are called prolapsed hemorrhoids . Prolapsed hemorrhoids can take longer to heal and may require specialist medical treatment.

Some women can develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy. This is because the increased pressure in your abdomen, especially in the third trimester, can make the veins in your rectum and anus larger. The hormones released during pregnancy can also likely swell your veins. If you develop  hemorrhoids during pregnancy, your symptoms may last until delivery.

What Can You Do To Relieve Pain?:   If you have hemorrhoids , lifestyle changes can help them heal faster. One of the causes of  hemorrhoids is straining during bowel movements. Adding more fiber-rich foods to your diet, such as vegetables, fruits  and whole grains  , can help soften your stool and make it easier to pass. You should also drink plenty of water to help relieve constipation and reduce straining during bowel movements. Here are some additional things that can help alleviate symptoms:

– Minimize the time you sit on the toilet.
– When you feel the urge to have a bowel movement, go as soon as possible.
– Place your feet on a stool during bowel movements to change the position of your rectum.
– If you are pregnant, sleep on your side. This will help relieve some of the pressure around your anus.

Ask your doctor about taking a laxative or a fiber supplement, such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel). A tablespoon of mineral oil added to food can also help to soften stools. Keep the anal area clean and take regular showers and use wet wipes to clean the area around your anus after a bowel movement.

What Are the Treatment Options?:  Small Hemorrhoids often go away without treatment or with home treatment and also with lifestyle changes. If you have ongoing problems or complications, such as bleeding, you should see a doctor. The doctor can rule out other causes of bleeding during bowel movements, such as colon or anal cancer.

If your symptoms become severe, your doctor may recommend medical procedures to remove or shrink hemorrhoids . Your doctor may recommend minimally invasive outpatient treatment. Outpatient treatments are treatments that your doctor performs in their office. Some treatments include the following:

Rubber band ligation is the most common non-surgical treatment, and it involves your doctor tying a tight band around the base of the hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply . 80% of people who receive treatment for hemorrhoids have this type of treatment.
– During clotting, the doctor uses infrared light, heat or extreme cold , to shrink the hemorrhoid.
– During sclerotherapy, the doctor injects a chemical to shrink the hemorrhoid.

If you have severe hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids that don’t respond to conventional medical treatments, you may need a doctor to surgically remove them.

Risk Factors For Hemorrhoids?: Risk factors for Hemorrhoids are mainly related to increased pressure on the anal and rectal veins. Having a family history of hemorrhoids can increase your risk of having hemorrhoids. Other risk factors include:
– Age
– pregnancy
– Obesity
– anal intercourse
– Frequent constipation or diarrhea
– Too much time sitting on the toilet
– Not having enough dietary fiber
– Effort during evacuations

Can Hemorrhoids Come Back?:  Once you’ve had Hemorrhoids , they can come back. Researchers have not conducted many studies on the recurrence rate. Researchers in a 2004 study compared the rate of recurrence of  hemorrhoids in 231 people. Some of the study participants received treatment at home, and others had surgery to remove their hemorrhoids . Hemorrhoids recurred in 6.3 percent of people who had surgery and in 25.4 percent of people who received treatment at home.

Prevention Tips:  Changes in your diet and your daily routine can help keep hemorrhoids away from your body. Home treatments to relieve hemorrhoid symptoms can also prevent future flare-ups. Follow these tips:

• Eat a recommended amount of fiber-rich foods.
• Drink plenty of fluids to keep your stools soft and avoid straining during bowel movements.
• You can also talk to your doctor about taking a laxative.
• Exercise regularly, which will help keep your bowel movements on a more regular schedule.
• If you’re overweight, lose weight to reduce pressure on the veins in your rectum and anus.