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These are probably hemorrhoids – we think when blood appears in the stool and we feel itching and burning around the anus. However, these unpleasant ailments can also be symptoms of other diseases. These are diseases that imitate hemorrhoidal disease.
Every man has hemorrhoids, or haemorrhoids (remember that these are not hemorrhoids!). These are structures in the anal canal that are a combination of arterial and venous vessels. Together with the sphincter, hemorrhoids ensure that in every situation – apart from defecation – our anus remains tight. The problems, however, begin when the so-called haemorrhoidal disease, i.e. the sliding of these cavernous bodies down beyond the sphincter or their inflammation or thrombosis.
The hemorrhoids are surrounded by two circular muscles – internal and external, i.e. sphincters. These muscles are tense most of the time. This tension causes blood to accumulate in the hemorrhoids, and the hemorrhoids themselves swell and stick together tightly, forming a “defense ring” that prevents intestinal contents from being removed from the body in an uncontrolled manner. You can pass stools because the sphincter muscles relax and the blood from the hemorrhoids drains away. When the vessels fill with blood excessively, and they do not empty completely when passing stools, they become irritated and lose their elasticity.
- Do you have hemorrhoids? Try hamamelis cream and oak bark
Mass Disease?
It is not known exactly how many people suffer from hemorrhoidal disease. The disease is so embarrassing that little is admitted to it, and even less of the help of specialists and treatment. The greatest incidence – among known and treated cases – is noted in people over 50 years of age. But it is also estimated that every third person over 30 years of age experiences occasional or frequent ailments related to the poor functioning of hemorrhoids.
The causes of haemorrhoidal disease are still not fully understood, but it is known that age is not the only factor in its development. The risk of its occurrence must also be taken into account by people whose relatives suffered from this disease, obese people who lead a sedentary lifestyle, perform work that requires a lot of muscle effort, long standing or sitting in one position, as well as those who follow a low-fiber diet (facilitating the removal of food debris), fluids (improving intestinal peristalsis) and frequent constipation or diarrhea (increased effort when pushing on the stool or too frequent bowel movements lead to weakening of the sphincters).
Haemorrhoidal disease is also common in pregnant women and after childbirth, as well as in patients with diseases such as: heart failure, tumors in the abdominal and pelvic cavities, congenital weakness of the anal sphincter muscles. Athletes also suffer from it, for example cyclists, riders and weight lifters, as well as those who have a very unhealthy habit of sitting on the toilet for a long time.
Do you have worrying symptoms and you are worried that it is a problem with hemorrhoids? You can discuss your health issues during your online visit and receive your e-Prescription within 5 minutes.
First blood
An additional difficulty in assessing the scale of the occurrence of haemorrhoidal disease is that in the initial stage it may not show any symptoms. What the patient feels are just slight swellings around the anus. On the other hand, the first noticeable sign of this disease is usually painless, bright red, slight bleeding when passing stools (most often seen on toilet paper).
Other symptoms of hemorrhoids malfunctioning already cause more discomfort and even lead to a complete change of lifestyle. It is about itching, the sensation of swelling and pressure, irritation and a feeling of constant humidity in the anus, the feeling of faecal incontinence and incomplete bowel movements, and leaving faecal marks on the underwear. A symptom of haemorrhoidal disease may also be pain – sometimes very strong, lasting for several days. It occurs when blood clots form in the hemorrhoids.
However, not all signs of haemorrhoidal disease appear at once and at the same time, as the disease itself develops gradually. It starts with the so-called internal hemorrhoids, i.e. minor bleeding that does not come from the hemorrhoid itself, but from the membrane located higher, and ends with the so-called external hemorrhoids – the sphincters are weakened and the hemorrhoids are damaged, turning into “bumps” that fall out and cannot be reintroduced into the anus.
As an auxiliary in the treatment of hemorrhoids, it is worth using For hemorrhoids – a herbal mixture, which includes: fenugreek, buckwheat, buckthorn, comfrey, rowan, violet, yarrow, caraway.
When it itches and burns
When itching and burning around the anus appear, the first thought is to suspect a haemorrhoidal disease. It turns out, however, that these ailments can also be symptoms of completely different diseases.
The most common of these is anal pruritus. It is estimated that approximately 5% of the entire population complains about it. Unfortunately, this disease is still little known, so its treatment usually consists in eliminating symptoms. The doctors’ observations show that in most patients there is a so-called spontaneous itching of the anus, the causes of which cannot be determined. It is known that it occurs more often in people who consume too much chocolate, coca-cola, cheese, citrus, alcohol, hot spices and … milk. In order to relieve itching in the anus, it is worth using appropriate hygiene measures. We recommend, for example, HEMOpran – set for hemorrhoids – washing gel and cream.
Another equally embarrassing ‘imitation’ of haemorrhoidal disease is incontinence, which is a reduced ability to control gas and stools. Colloquially it is called fecal incontinence. The most common causes include damage to the anal nerves during childbirth, surgery, and trauma to the tissue surrounding the anus, which can also damage the muscles there and inhibit sphincter control. Stool incontinence can also occasionally occur during diarrhea accompanied by a feeling of urgency on the stool, and in people with multiple sclerosis (when the nerves that guide the work of the sphincters are impaired). We must also remember (and unfortunately accept) that the muscles of the sphincters naturally weaken with age. Therefore, incontinence is a problem for many older people.
The skin around the anus is one of the most sensitive areas on the surface of our body. It is extremely easy to irritate and even cut it – e.g. with rough toilet paper. In this way, you can lead to the creation of the so-called anal fissures. This is a shallow, narrow fracture, cavity, or ulcer in the lining of the rectum. Over time, inflammation may develop in the altered mucosa, the symptoms of which are severe pain, itching, burning and sometimes bleeding. A fissure is formed as a result of mechanical damage or rupture of the end section of the anal canal as a result of, for example, exercise, constipation, and the excretion of too hard, tightly beaten stool.
Skin irritation caused by e.g. Inaccurate wiping or washing it after a bowel movement can also lead to the formation of perianal eczema. In this case, the area of the anus is very red and swollen, and the epidermis peels off in this place and moist bubbles form on it.
Small lumps or – in later stages – large growths are also symptoms of an infectious disease called genital warts. They are also known as dermal warts, or venereal or genital warts, and are caused by infection with the human papillomavirus (HPV). Most often, you can get infected with them through sexual intercourse (heterosexual and homosexual).
The pain is so hard you can’t sit up
Severe, sharp, throbbing pain around the anus (just below the skin, or deeper along the length of the rectum), which worsens when sitting, coughing or passing stools, are the symptoms of an anal abscess. It is a “reservoir” of sticky, thick fluid, most often formed as a result of bacterial contamination of the anal area with bacteria of staphylococcus, streptococcus, intestinal bacilli, and sometimes pathogenic fungi. An abscess develops more often in men, especially those with Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis or with an anal fissure.
If a perianal abscess is not treated or is not fully healed, pus may leak from the anus or from the skin opening around it, and consequently, the so-called anal fistulas. To clarify, it is a narrow, straight (sometimes branched) canal with one opening (primary, internal) in the rectum and the other (secondary, external) on the skin at the rectum. Fistulae are usually accompanied by pain that increases during or immediately after passing stools, but also by the presence of a lump that can be felt under the fingers and skin changes – irritation, inflammation, and discoloration of the skin.
Prolapse of hemorrhoids in the final stage of hemorrhoidal disease may be confused with prolapse of the rectum itself. The latter condition is the result of weakening of the muscles on which the rectum and perineal muscles are suspended. This state of affairs can be caused by multiple births, rectal surgery, chronic constipation and recurrent diarrhea, or it can occur in neurological conditions such as multiple sclerosis or stroke.
In the first phase, the anus only falls out after passing stools, but as the disease progresses, it also happens after slight abdominal cramps, such as when sneezing. Ultimately (in the last stage) the rectal mucosa is constantly outside. The classic symptom of rectal prolapse is pain that occurs during or immediately after a bowel movement, but also an inability to hold gas and stool that still stains the patient’s underwear.
Cancer – the price of false shame
At the end of the infamous list of “imitators” of hemorrhoidal disease are colon cancer. They are most often manifested by bleeding (overt and latent), abdominal pain, flatulence, constipation, and a change in the rhythm of bowel movements. Remember that the described anal fissure, genital warts and anal fistulas have a similar symptomatology (i.e. a set of symptoms). You should always see a doctor with such symptoms, you cannot treat them yourself and only a doctor can rule out other diseases in this area. The most tragic mistake is treating “hemorrhoids” when you are actually dealing with cancer! Unfortunately, many patients invariably consider rectal diseases to be embarrassing and prefer to self-medicate. The price of this false shame, however, can be high.
Treatment of hemorrhoidal disease is as follows: grade 3 and 4, as well as thrombotic complications are treated by surgery and / or related methods (banding, freezing, and others). Grades 1 and 2 can be treated conservatively. First of all, stool regulation, a diet aimed at loosening the stools, changing the lifestyle (increased physical activity!), Local ointments and / or suppositories. There are also oral preparations that improve venous circulation. Finally, we repeat once again: there are no embarrassing diseases, only the tragedies of late diagnosed cancers.
For topical treatment of haemorrhoids and relief of their symptoms, order haemorrhoids suppositories with hyaluronic acid or Anusir haemorrhoids ointment.
It is not known exactly how many people suffer from hemorrhoidal disease. The condition is so embarrassing that only a few admit it, and even less heal.
What awaits you at the doctor?
It is embarrassing to talk about rectal ailments, but overcoming the shame allows you to quickly diagnose the condition and treat it. Doctors admonish – if symptoms such as itching, burning, pain or blood in the stool recur, it is absolutely necessary to undergo proctological examinations.
Per rectal examination (through the rectum) – performed with a finger; during the examination, the finger enters the rectum to a depth of 7-8 cm.
Rectoscopy and anoscopy – the tests involve inserting a speculum through the rectum to view the anal canal. They last from a few to several minutes and are performed under local anesthesia.
Colonoscopy – the patient is placed on the left side, an endoscope (an extremely flexible optical-electronic apparatus) is inserted through the rectum, which allows you to examine the entire length of the large intestine, collect tissue samples for analysis, and even perform small procedures. The examination takes about 20 minutes and is performed under local or general anesthesia.
Sigmoidoscopy – the examination is also performed with an endoscope, but its purpose is to examine the last 60–80 cm of the large intestine, ie the rectum, sigmoid colon and part of the descending colon. It fulfills a diagnostic and therapeutic function, and enables the taking of specimens for histopathological examination.
Rectal infusion (contrast infusion of the large intestine) – radiological examination, which consists in administering a contrast agent (barite or, less often – iodine solutions) into the large intestine and taking X-rays of this organ.
One of the most effective ways to get rid of hemorrhoids is using the Barron method of gumming, which is used in the case of the advanced form of the disease.
Take care of your digestive tract
1. Eat high-fiber foods – cereal products, wholemeal bread, fruits, vegetables.
2. Drink plenty of water and juices, minimum 2 liters a day.
3. Avoid foods and drinks that irritate or stimulate the intestines, such as coffee, tea, spicy spices, alcohol.
4. Don’t sit, just keep moving! Exercise at home, go for walks.
5. Play sports – swimming is the best. Use your bike wisely.
6. Avoid carrying heavy loads.
7. Follow the rules of personal hygiene.
8. Do not wear tight clothing or made of fabrics that irritate the skin.
9. Use the toilet at certain times and do not sit on the toilet for a long time.
Anal fissure, genital warts, anal fistulas have similar symptomatology. Always see your doctor for these symptoms, rather than self-medicating.
Text: Magdalena Gajda, Let’s Live Longer