Causes and Treatments for Hemorrhoids

What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen, painful veins in the lower part of the anal canal. Veins can swell inside the anal canal to form internal hemorrhoids. Or they can swell near the opening of the anus to form hemorrhoids externally. It is possible to have both types at the same time. The symptoms and treatment depend on which type you have.

Symptoms

The symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
• Anal itching and irritation
• Anal ache or pain, especially painful while sitting
• Bright red blood on toilet tissue, stool, or in the toilet bowl
• Pain during bowel movements, especially while straining, or while cleaning the anal area
• One or more hard tender lumps near the anus

What Do Hemorrhoids Look Like? Can I see them?

Internal hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids occur at the opening of the rectum, just inside the anus. You may see bright red streaks of blood on toilet paper or bright red blood in the toilet bowl after having a bowel movement. You may see blood on the surface of the stool.

Internal hemorrhoids are small, swollen veins inside the anal canal. But they can be large, flabby veins that bulge out of the anus all the time. They can be quite painful if they bulge out, and are subsequently squeezed by the anal muscles. If the blood supply to the hemorrhoid is cut off, and your hemorrhoids bulge out, you also may see mucus on the toilet paper or stool.

External hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids can bleed, and then the blood pools, causing a hard painful lump. This is called a thrombosed, which means a clotted, hemorrhoid.

What Causes Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids can be caused by extended sitting. For instance, many truck drivers deal with this condition. They may also be caused by straining while having a bowel movement. Constipation often causes a great deal of pressure on the veins in the anal canal, resulting in the swelling and stretching of this tissue, hence, hemorrhoids. It is quite usual for hemorrhoids to occur during pregnancy and after childbirth. Everyday stress is also a significant contributor to hemorrhoids. Stressed individuals may not pay proper attention to diet, hydration, exercise, or simple relaxation techniques integrated into one's lifestyle. Individuals who have stress management problems often have digestion issues, and muscle tension, which transfer directly and indirectly to hemorrhoids.

What Can I Do About My Hemorrhoids?

There are many treatments available, ranging from over-the-counter corticosteroid creams, which can reduce swelling and pain. Hemorrhoid creams with lidocaine can help with pain. A simple cleansing routine, such as using warm water and soap, followed by application of witch hazel upon drying the area (applied with cotton swabs), can also calm and reduce itching. Other steps for anal itching include:

• Wear cotton underwear. Make sure the area is allowed plenty of air.
• Avoid toilet tissue with perfumes or dyes.
• Try not to scratch the area, or to aggressively wipe or clean the area.

Sitz baths can help tremendously. Simply purchase the container to use for your hemorrhoids and sitz baths, found at your local drugstore, which is a sort of plastic tub that fits perfectly over the seat of your toilet. Fill this tub with warm water and another component as well, usually salt or baking soda, and soak the anal area in it for about 15-20 minutes. It works by cleaning the infected and swollen area, while simultaneously increasing the blood flow to the pelvic region. Sit in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Stool softeners help reduce straining and constipation.

Reduce Stress

This may seem like an unrelated measure, but reduced stress will benefit most of all. Combine this with a diet high in fiber, fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. Drink plenty of fluids. At least eight glasses of water a day. This is the best kind of prevention.

There are sometimes cases that don't respond to home treatments. A surgeon or gastroenterologist can apply heat treatment, called infrared coagulation, which basically shrinks internal hemorrhoids. Surgery may be done to treat hemorrhoids, which includes rubber band ligation or surgical hemorrhoidectomy. These procedures are for patients with severe pain or bleeding who have tried every other option.

Hemorrhoids are not uncommon, and even simple to prevent, when a healthy lifestyle is given priority.

Lastly, a day or two of bed rest may indeed be necessary to take the pressure off of irritated and inflamed veins. Women who are 3-6 months pregnant may want to sleep on their side, or experiment with using a pillow to help reduce pressure on the hips (although avoid using a 'ring or doughnut' cushion, as they will restrict blood flow). Try to avoid long periods of sitting or standing when your hemorrhoids are most irritated. Slowly introduce more fiber and exercise into your diet.

Hemorrhoids do not have to be a part of your pleasurable and productive life!