What are Hemorrhoids?

When someone has a hemorrhoid problem, they are going to be very uncomfortable and will have to do something in order to take care of this annoyance.  Having hemorrhoids means that a person has a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed.  This may result in the straining to move bowels.  The most common people to get hemorrhoids are pregnant women, people that are aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea and anal intercourse.

Hemorrhoids are either inside the anus or under the skin around the anus.  This means that they are usually internal or external.  There are creams and medications for the external problems; however, the internal hemorrhoids may result in surgery or other procedures to remove them.
 
Many of these hemorrhoid problems will mean that any person with them will have pain or itching in that area.  Hemorrhoids are usually not dangerous or life threatening.  In most cases, the symptoms will go away in a few days.  Although many people with them will not experience any symptoms at all.  The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet itself.
 
An internal hemorrhoid may protrude through the anus outside the body and this is what will become painful.  This is called non other than a protruding hemorrhoid.   Symptoms of the external hemorrhoids may be painful as well.  This will also include swelling or a hard surface around the anus that results when a blot clot forms.
 
It is normal to have a hemorrhoid problem.  They are very common in both men and women.  So many pregnant women have to deal with the pain of hemorrhoids along with everything else that they have to go through while pregnant.  Others will have hemorrhoids by the age of fifty.

There are many treatments of hemorrhoids and the symptoms that they cause.  Sitting in a warm bath a few times a day will help to relive pain.  There are also a lot of creams available both over the counter and by prescription that can help to heal and ease the pain of the hemorrhoids.
 
In extreme cases, it may be determined by a doctor that a person must have surgery to remove the hemorrhoids.  This is to help those that have severe bleeding or anemia and cannot take the loss of blood.  This will eliminate the problems of the hemorrhoids so that the person can live a happier and healthier lifestyle.
 
To prevent hemorrhoids, many people with constipation should relive the pressure of straining.  You should have lots of fiber and fruits in your diet and drink plenty of water.  This will help to soften the stool and will not cause so much strain.  A stool softener may also be necessary to fix this type of problem.

What do You Know About Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are masses or clumps of tissue within the anal canal that are made up off blood vessels and supporting tissue, which is made up of muscle and elastic fibers.  The anal canal is the last four centimeters that stool passes from the rectum. Even though people assume that hemorrhoids are abnormal, everyone has them. 

It is only when they become enlarged are they considered abnormal or a disease. Only about four percent of the public experience problems with hemorrhoids.  They are found equally in men and woman and usually occur when a person is between 45-65 years old.

It is unknown what truly causes hemorrhoids to enlarge, but there are many theories.  The high intake of fiber could be one.  It is theories that they are caused from sitting too long on the toilet or having chronic constipation.  The only clear theory is pregnancy.  It is not clear why, but it is common in pregnant woman. 

Tumors that are in the pelvis area can cause the enlargement because they press on the veins.  Another theory is from the force of hard stool.  The passing through the canal, it can drag the hemorrhoid cushions downward. Sometimes with age, the hemorrhoid tissue begins to deteriorate and slides down the anal canal.

Some of the symptoms of hemorrhoids are when you get pains in your lower abdomen or when you feel pressure near the intestines.  When the hemorrhoid continues to enlarge, it will pull down a portion of the rectum lining and protrude from the anus. 

This is called relapsing internal hemorrhoid. You may also find blood in stool.  This is a sign of hemorrhoids.  You may also experience anal itchiness, but this is less common.  Sometimes mucus secretes from the rectal lining, it will cause the area to be constantly moist, and that will cause itching.  Hemorrhoids do require some medical attention, because they can cause gangrene.

In general, if you feel any bulges or pressure near the anus, you could have hemorrhoids.  When they are smaller, you may not feel anything because they have no effect on the function of the anus.  External hemorrhoids are the ones that can cause the most problems. It can be very painful and requires medical attention.  External hemorrhoids will heal, eventually, but scarring or discomfort when bathing maybe a side effect.

When you seek medical attention, your doctor will put you on a grading system. First-degree hemorrhoids will bleed but not protrude from the anus.  Second-degree hemorrhoids are protruding, but retract by them and can bleed.  Third degree hemorrhoids are protruding and can be pushed back with a finger.  The fourth degree hemorrhoid is protruding and cannot be pushed back in.  They contain blood clots and pull much of the rectum through the anus.

Understanding External Or Prolapsed Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen and enlarged anal veins. They appear due to numerous causes such as sitting on the toilet too long, straining when passing a bowel movement, and they are sometimes caused by the strain and excess weight of a fetus during pregnancy.

There are internal hemorrhoids and external, or prolapsed hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids occur high up in the rectum and generally the only symptom you will notice is some bright red blood on the stool, or in the toilet. It is when they prolapse they can become problematic.

Some prolapsed hemorrhoids will only bulge out with a bowel movement and will spontaneously go back into the rectum. Some hemorrhoids prolapse with a bowel movement and can be pushed back inside the rectum. A prolapsed hemorrhoid that cannot be pushed back into the rectum may require surgery. These severe hemorrhoids may also prolapse with coughing and sneezing. They may also have a chronic mucus type discharge.

If you're lucky, and diligent, you can treat some hemorrhoids with surgery. The first recommendation is to increase the fiber in your diet. This can easily be done by taking a fiber supplement on a daily basis. Increase your water intake to help keep your stools soft. Take a stool softener, following the manufacturers recommendations. When you wipe don't use toilet paper, use a cotton ball or pad pre moistened with witch haze. You can buy pre moistened pads at your local drug store. For itching you an use any of the numerous over the counter hemorrhoidal preparations.

If the above recommendations don't help, your physician may recommend hemorrhoid surgery. Small hemorrhoids can be "banded". A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid. This band stops the blood circulation that feeds the hemorrhoid. The hemorrhoid shrivels and withers away. Some surgeons treat hemorrhoids with sclerosing agents, which do the same thing as a band.

Laser coagulation an be performed. With laser coagulation a small electrical current is applied to the hemorrhoid via a probe. This electrical current causes the blood flow to the hemorrhoid to stop, causing it to wither away.

With larger hemorrhoids surgical removal is performed, usually with local or spinal anesthesia. After the hemorrhoid is removed gauze packing is used to help reduce bleeding. There is generally a 4-5 day period of "down time" following this surgery.

Any rectal bleeding should be checked by your physician.

What You Should Know: Causes of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids involve the response of the blood vessels in the area of the rectum to pressure. This pressure can come from various sources and typically will cause pain and irritation. There are various reasons for hemorrhoids, and knowing them can help in making lifestyle changes and minimize the pain they cause.

Constipation is the main cause of hemorrhoids. This causes bowel movements to put strain on the rectal area, thereby putting pressure on the blood vessels and causing swelling and irritation. Strained bowel movements can cause bleeding from the blood vessels in the rectal area as well. Preventing constipation is an important step in preventing and minimizing the effects of hemorrhoids.

Pregnancy is the next leading cause of hemorrhoids. Pregnancy can also cause an increase in the pressure of the blood vessels in the rectal area. Hormonal changes are known to make blood vessels work harder which can cause swelling and irritation. Hemorrhoids due to pregnancy are usually temporary, but can be an important consideration in becoming pregnant.

Chronic Venous Insufficiency is the third leading cause of hemorrhoids. This condition occurs when the blood vessels in the area of the rectum are weakened, causing pressure, swelling and irritation. The pressure can be magnified with sitting or standing for long periods. Exercise and smoking in concert with CVI can cause irritation of the rectal blood vessels for those that are overweight.

Irritable Bowel Syndrome, known as IBS, can cause hemorrhoids, especially in cases when IBS is dominated by constipation. Diarrhea is also known to put extra pressure on the rectal blood vessels. Portal Hypertension, which is an increase in the pressure of the blood vessels running from the intestines to the liver, can cause hemorrhoids due to the increased blood flow and pressure.

Any type of hemorrhoid can cause irritation, pain, and bleeding in the areas of the anus and rectum. It is important to identify the cause of your hemorrhoids for future preventative measures. You may want to look at dietary and lifestyle changes to help reduce symptoms.