09/03/2015
How much do you know about Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids also called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins in your a**s and lower re**um.
Hemorrhoids may result from straining during bowel movements or from the increased pressure on these veins during pregnancy, among other causes. Hemorrhoids may be located inside the re**um (internal hemorrhoids), or they may develop under the skin around the a**s (external hemorrhoids).
Hemorrhoids are common ailments. By age 50, about half of adults have had to deal with the itching, discomfort and bleeding that can signal the presence of hemorrhoids.
Fortunately, many effective options are available to treat hemorrhoids. Most people can get relief from symptoms by using home treatments and making lifestyle changes.
The veins around your a**s tend to stretch under pressure and may bulge or swell. Swollen veins (hemorrhoids) can develop from an increase in pressure in the lower re**um.
Causes
Factors that might cause increased pressure include:
Straining during bowel movements
Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
Chronic diarrhea or constipation
Obesity
Pregnancy
A**l in*******se
Low-fiber diet
Hemorrhoids are more likely as you get older because the tissues that support the veins in your re**um and a**s can weaken and stretch with aging.Signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids may include:
Painless bleeding during bowel movements — you might notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl
Itching or irritation in your a**l region
Pain or discomfort
Swelling around your a**s
A lump near your a**s, which may be sensitive or painful
Leakage of f***s
Hemorrhoid symptoms usually depend on the location. Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the re**um. You usually can’t see or feel these hemorrhoids, and they usually don’t cause discomfort.
But straining or irritation when passing stool can damage a hemorrhoid’s delicate surface and cause it to bleed. Occasionally, straining can push an internal hemorrhoid through the a**l opening. This is known as a protruding or pr*****ed hemorrhoid and can cause pain and irritation.
External hemorrhoids are under the skin around your a**s. When irritated, external hemorrhoids can itch or bleed. Sometimes blood may pool in an external hemorrhoid and form a clot (thrombus), resulting in severe pain, swelling and inflammation.
When to see a doctor
Bleeding during bowel movements is the most common sign of hemorrhoids. But re**al bleeding can occur with other diseases, including colore**al cancer and a**l cancer. Don’t assume that bleeding is coming from hemorrhoids without consulting a doctor.
Your doctor can do a physical examination and perform other tests to diagnose hemorrhoids and rule out more-serious conditions or diseases. Also consider seeking medical advice if your hemorrhoids cause pain, bleed frequently or excessively, or don’t improve with home remedies.
If your hemorrhoid symptoms began along with a marked change in bowel habits or if you’re passing black, tarry or maroon stools, blood clots, or blood mixed in with the stool, consult your doctor immediately. These types of stools can signal more extensive bleeding elsewhere in your digestive tract.
Seek emergency care if you experience large amounts of re**al bleeding, lightheadedness, dizziness or faintness.
Complications of hemorrhoids are rare but include:
Anemia. Chronic blood loss from hemorrhoids may cause anemia, in which you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your cells. This may result in fatigue and weakness.
Strangulated hemorrhoid. If blood supply to an internal hemorrhoid is cut off, the hemorrhoid may be “strangulated,” which can cause extreme pain and lead to tissue death (gangrene).
You can often relieve the mild pain, swelling and inflammation of hemorrhoids with home treatments. Often these are the only treatments needed.
Use topical treatments. Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository containing hydrocortisone, or use pads containing witch hazel or a numbing agent.
Soak regularly in a warm bath or sitz bath. Soak your a**l area in plain warm water 10 to 15 minutes two to three times a day. A sitz bath fits over the toilet. You can get one at most drugstores.
Keep the a**l area clean. Bathe (preferably) or shower daily to cleanse the skin around your a**s gently with warm water. Soap isn’t necessary and may aggravate the problem. Avoid alcohol based or perfumed wipes.
Gently dry the area with a hair dryer after bathing.
Don’t use dry toilet paper. To help keep the a**l area clean after a bowel movement, use moist towelettes or wet toilet paper that doesn’t contain perfume or alcohol.
Apply cold. Apply ice packs or cold compresses on your a**s to relieve swelling.
Take oral pain relievers. You can use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) temporarily to help relieve your discomfort.
With these treatments, hemorrhoid symptoms often go away within a week. See your doctor if you don’t get relief in a week, or sooner if you have severe pain or bleeding.
The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to keep your stools soft, so they pass easily. To prevent hemorrhoids and reduce symptoms of hemorrhoids, follow these tips:
Eat high-fiber foods. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Doing so softens the stool and increases its bulk, which will help you avoid the straining that can cause hemorrhoids or worsen symptoms from existing hemorrhoids. Add fiber to your diet slowly to avoid problems with gas.
Drink plenty of fluids. Drink six to eight glasses of water and other liquids (not alcohol) each day to help keep stools soft.
Consider fiber supplements. Most people don’t get enough of the recommended amount of fiber — 25 grams a day for women and 38 grams a day for men — in their diet.
Studies have shown that over-the-counter fiber supplements, such as Metamucil and Citrucel, improve overall symptoms and bleeding from hemorrhoids. These products help keep stools soft and regular.
If you use fiber supplements, be sure to drink at least eight glasses of water or other fluids every day. Otherwise, the supplements can cause constipation or make constipation worse.
Don’t strain. Straining and holding your breath when trying to pass a stool creates greater pressure in the veins in the lower re**um.
Go as soon as you feel the urge. If you wait to pass a bowel movement and the urge goes away, your stool could become dry and be harder to pass.
Exercise. Stay active to help prevent constipation and to reduce pressure on veins, which can occur with long periods of standing or sitting. Exercise can also help you lose excess weight that may be contributing to your hemorrhoids.
Avoid long periods of sitting. Sitting too long, particularly on the toilet, can increase the pressure on the veins in the a**s.
