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About Hemorrhoids Overview: Symptoms, Causes, Treatment, and Prevention
Overview
Table of Contents
Haemorrhoids or piles are inflamed anal veins and your lower side rectum. Haemorrhoids are a very common disease and every third person suffers from them.
The actual cause of haemorrhoids is still unknown but it depends on various lifestyle factors like your diet, your bowel clearance, being pregnant and many other such factors. It is a painful state. Treatments can help yet it is discomforting.
But one need not worry and proper medical care is needed. The clots of blood vessels occur in the anus or rectum only.
Types of haemorrhoids –
1. Internal haemorrhoids –these occur inside the rectum and cannot be felt or seen and pain is also not caused in general cases.
2. External haemorrhoids – these occur under the anus skin and cause pain and irritation.
3. Thrombosed haemorrhoids – when the blood clots are formed in the external haemorrhoids, it is called thrombosed haemorrhoids.
Symptoms of haemorrhoids include –
1. Pain in the anal region
2. Itching and irritation
3. Swelling
4. Bleeding during urination or stool pass
5. Lumps near the anal skin
When to see your doctor ?
If you are going through continuous bleeding through your genitals causing pain and itchiness or forming a lump in the anus region which do not improve, you need quick medical attention.
Causes of haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids develop due to increased pressure in your rectum. This can be because of the following reasons –
• Overweight/obesity
• Pregnancy
• Anal sex
• Heavy lifting things often
• Constipation issue
• Chronicle diarrhoea
• Straining during bowel movement
• Not consuming proper fibrous food
• Aging
• Colon cancer
Complications associated with haemorrhoids include –
• Anaemia
• Ulcer
• Acrochordon/skin tags
• Blood clotting
• Fainting
• Strangulated haemorrhoids
• Spending too much time in urination
Prevention steps
• The foremost step is to keep your stool softer to let them pass easily
• Eat high–fibrous foods and fruits like apples.
• Drink 8 glasses of water every day
• Exercise regularly to stay active
• You can go for fibre supplements
• Stop straining
• Avoid sitting too long in your washroom.
Myths created about haemorrhoids
Fact – hemorrhoid’s can affect any age people . However , the chances pf hemorrhage in 50+ people are more.
Fact – this is just a belief created but there is no scientific evidence which proves this myth.
Fact – it is not equally painful in every single person. It depends from person to person based on their cause of hemorrhoid’s , stage , age and other such factors.
Fact – surgery is needed in only the rare case and generally is treatable by topical applications of steroidal creams.
Fact – hemorrhoids is treatable if you go to consult the right doctor who provide you the right medication and therapies. It can be reduced for a far extent but there is no stated cure time for hemorrhoids’ . But things are manageable if taken care in the right way.
Fact – hemorrhoids’ is caused by increased tightness in anus and rectum not by spicy foods.
Diagnosis –
• Digital examination – in this, the doctors insert their gloved and lubricated finger in your rectum to feel any sort of growth or lumps or anything unusual.
• Colonoscopy (if required)
• Visual examination to study your lower rectum, anus and prostate glands.
Treatments for haemorrhoids -
• Eat high fibrous rich foods
• Bath with warm frequently
• Over-the-counter haemorrhoid cream which contains hydrocortisone.
• Pain relievers like acetaminophen, aspirin or ibuprofen help you get relief from the anal pain.
• External haemorrhoid thrombectomy
• Haemorrhoidectomy surgery
• Haemorrhoid stapling
• Sclerotherapy
• Laser or infrared technique
• Rubber band ligation method
Frequently asked questions –
Answer – if treated at the earliest stage , hemorrhoid’s can reduce within two weeks to a month.
Answer – yes , small and mild hemorrhoids’ can go away itself even if left untreated. But its not the same in all the situation.
