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Hemorrhoids are a common problem. These swollen veins in or outside the rectum can cause anal pain, itching, and rectal bleeding. The symptoms of hemorrhoids often improve with home treatment, but sometimes medical procedures are needed. Eating more fiber can help prevent hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins around the anus or at the bottom of the rectum. According to specialists, about 50 percent of adults experience symptoms of hemorrhoids by the age of 50.
Hemorrhoids can be internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids develop in the anus or rectum. External hemorrhoids develop outside the anus.
External hemorrhoids are the most common and troublesome. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include pain, severe itching, and difficulty sitting. Fortunately, they can be treated.
See also: Hemorrhoids. We are ashamed to go to the doctor, so we treat them ourselves at home
Symptoms depend on the type of hemorrhoids.
Internal hemorrhoids can cause:
- blood during bowel movements;
- skin protruding from the anus during bowel movements.
Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include:
- extreme itching around the anus;
- uncomfortable lumps or swelling near the anus;
- pain around the anus, especially when sitting.
Hemorrhoids often don’t cause pain. Occasionally, however, external hemorrhoids can form blood clots on the skin. Internal hemorrhoids can also prolapse. This means they won’t go back into the anus. Both prolapse and thrombotic changes can cause significant pain. While hemorrhoids can cause great discomfort, they are not life threatening and will often resolve on their own without treatment.
If you ever experience bleeding or black stools, see your doctor. The bleeding may be caused by anything other than hemorrhoids and must be evaluated by a specialist. You should also see your doctor if the haemorrhoids do not improve within 1 week of home treatment.
Also check: Embarrassing diseases of the anus
Hemorrhoids occur when there is too much pressure on the veins around the anus. Possible causes and risk factors include:
- strain during bowel movements;
- sitting for a long time, especially on the toilet;
- chronic constipation or diarrhea;
- family history of hemorrhoids;
- engaging in consistent weightlifting or other activities that strain the body;
- obesity problems;
- having anal intercourse that may irritate the hemorrhoids;
- pregnancy (the enlarged uterus presses against a vein in the colon, causing it to bulge);
- age over 50 years.
As many as 35 percent of women have problems with hemorrhoids during pregnancy. This may be due to hormonal changes and increased blood pressure during pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are more likely in the third trimester (late) of pregnancy, when the woman’s body has to bear the greater weight of the growing baby.
Some women develop hemorrhoids soon after giving birth. This is more common in vaginal delivery because of the tremendous pressure on the veins around the abdomen (stomach) and pelvis.
It is recommended that any woman who has difficulty passing bowel movements up to the third or fourth day after delivery should seek immediate medical attention. Constipation is common after childbirth. However, this does not mean that you will get hemorrhoids.
In most cases, haemorrhoids during pregnancy or delivery will heal spontaneously soon after delivery.
Hemorrhoids do not affect your baby during pregnancy or birth.
See also: Hormones under control, i.e. the hormonal profile for women
A visual examination of the anus may be sufficient to diagnose hemorrhoids. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may perform another test to check for rectal abnormalities. We are then talking about the so-called per rectum examination. During this examination, the doctor inserts a gloved finger into the anus, previously lubricated.
Depending on your risk factors for gastrointestinal disease, your doctor may order additional testing, such as an anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy. Each of these tests involves the doctor using a small camera to diagnose any abnormalities in the anus, rectum, or colon. An anoscopy examines the inside of the anus, a sigmoidoscopy examines the last 50 centimeters of the colon, and a colonoscopy examines the entire colon.
In these studies, a small optical fiber camera is placed in a small tube, which in turn is inserted into the anus. This examination enables the specialist to have a good look at the inside of the rectum so that he can examine the hemorrhoids up close.
Also check: Let’s not forget about preventive examinations! When and how often should they be done?
Hemorrhoids can be treated at home or at a doctor’s office. Depending on the stage of the disease and the most bothersome symptoms, it is possible to use painkillers, supplements, home remedies or surgical treatment.
Treatment of hemorrhoids – painkillers
To minimize pain, you should soak your anus in a warm bath of water for at least 10 minutes each day. You can also sit on a warm water bottle to ease the pain of external hemorrhoids.
If the pain is unbearable, you may want to consider using an over-the-counter suppository, ointment, or cream to relieve burning and itching. Suppositories for hemorrhoids can be found on the Internet or in stores.
Treatment of hemorrhoids – fiber supplements and diet change
In case of constipation, you can also use a fiber supplement to soften the stool. Two popular supplements of this type are psyllium and methylcellulose. Of course, foods like fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains are also great sources of fiber. However, it should be remembered that the fiber content in our diet should be increased gradually to avoid gas problems.
Staying hydrated is also crucial when consuming fiber. Drinking at least 8 to 10 glasses of water and other fluids (without caffeine) throughout the day helps prevent constipation from worsening.
You should also consider consuming prunes, which are a natural and mild laxative (stool softener). You can also add a tablespoon of mineral oil to your food to help relieve constipation.
See also: Proper hydration of the body – why is it crucial?
Home remedies for hemorrhoids symptoms
Topical treatment with over-the-counter medications, such as hydrocortisone or hemorrhoids cream, can ease the discomfort of hemorrhoids. Witch hazel wraps can also provide relief from hemorrhoids. Hydrocortisone and hemorrhoids cream can be purchased online.
Anal wetting in the so-called nasiadówkach, or herbal baths in lukewarm water. In this case, pour water approx. 10 cm into the bathtub and add a decoction of chamomile, oak bark or herbal mixture of knotweed, sage and chestnut bark. The water temperature is very important here, because it cannot exceed 40 degrees Celsius (bathing in too warm water may additionally irritate the anus). Anyone who wants to take advantage of the siphon’s action must sit in such water for about 15 minutes, several times a day (most experts recommend a 20-minute bath after each bowel movement, and additionally two or three times a day).
Herbs will also work well for preparing infusions for drinking. For this purpose, order For hemorrhoids – a herbal mixture available in a 500g package.
Good hygiene, washing your anus daily with warm water while showering or bathing, also has a positive effect on the symptoms of hemorrhoids. However, it is recommended not to use soap as soap can worsen the condition of hemorrhoids. You should also avoid using dry or coarse toilet paper when wiping after a bowel movement. Also, do not use sprays, deodorants or irrigations in the groin area.
Using a cold compress on the skin of the anus can help reduce the swelling of the hemorrhoids. Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin, can also relieve pain or discomfort.
See also: Home remedies for hemorrhoids – diet, hygiene, sitz baths, toilet habits
Medical treatments for hemorrhoids
If home treatments aren’t helping to treat hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend rubber bands (Barron’s method). In this procedure, the doctor cuts the circulation to the hemorrhoid by putting a rubber band around it. This causes a loss of circulation in the hemorrhoid, forcing it to contract. This procedure should only be performed by a physician. Do not try to perform this procedure yourself.
If rubbing is not an option in our case, the doctor may perform an injection procedure (sclerotherapy). In this procedure, the doctor injects the chemical directly into the blood vessel. This reduces the size of the hemorrhoids. Sclerotherapy injections are also used to treat small damaged veins in other areas of the body.
Cryotherapy (freeze therapy), which uses cold air or gas to reduce hemorrhoids, is also used to treat hemorrhoids. In the case of internal hemorrhoids, the doctor may also benefit from the effect of the laser. This treatment works by hardening the blood inside the hemorrhoid. This causes it to shrink. Irradiation with infrared (IR) and visible light can also be used to treat hemorrhoids in the same way.
Sometimes thromboectomy is also used to treat hemorrhoids. A thrombectomy is a procedure to remove a blood clot in an external hemorrhoid. The doctor will numb the area, make a small incision and dry it. After the procedure, sutures are applied depending on the size of the wound.
If other treatments don’t work, or if the hemorrhoids are very large, your doctor may recommend minor surgery to remove them. For this you may need local or general (full) anesthesia. We are then talking about a hemorrhoidectomy, which is the removal of all the extra tissue that is causing the hemorrhoids. The procedure is used to treat internal and external hemorrhoids.
Also check: Treatment of hemorrhoids – the most popular methods
To prevent or avoid worsening of hemorrhoids, it is recommended that you avoid strenuous bowel movements. You should also try to increase your water intake. Drinking enough water can prevent your stools from hardening.
Remember to use the toilet as soon as you feel your bowel time is approaching to prevent the development of hemorrhoids. It’s also a good idea to exercise regularly to prevent constipation and avoid sitting for long periods, especially on hard surfaces such as concrete or tiles.
Diet is also important. Eating high-fiber foods can minimize the risk of developing hemorrhoids in the future.
Good sources of dietary fiber include:
- whole grain products;
- Brown rice;
- Porridge;
- pears;
- carrot;
- throat;
- bran.
The fiber helps to build up mass in the gut, which softens the stools, making it easier to pass.
See also: Brown rice prevents heart disease
Symptoms of hemorrhoids – possible complications
Complications from hemorrhoids are rare but can include:
- blood clots in a swollen vein;
- bleeding;
- iron deficiency anemia due to blood loss;
- infection.