Say Goodbye to Hemorrhoids
Pain in the Butt.
How to Deal with Hemorrhoids?
By Al K
This is very sensitive area of your body. Too private. Nobody likes when something is wrong over there. However it happens.
Hemorrhoids occur practically in everyone. Though hemorrhoids cause problems in 1 out of 25 people. Mostly those are people between 45 and 65 years of age.
You find a blood on toilet tissue. Bright red blood. Ok, now what? You do not know why you bleed. It could be rectal cancer by the way. It could be hemorrhoids.
So? What are the hemorrhoids?
They look like cushions. They contain blood vessels, some muscle and elastic fibers. People often call them piles.
Not everything over there is a hemorrhoid. There could be other problems. Fissure, abscess, fistula, pruritus (itching), condylomata (sort of hanging skin caused by viral infection), viral and bacterial skin infections can happen in that, so sensitive area.
It is worth to talk to your doctor.
How would a scenario of hemorrhoids look?
A 46-year-old female presents with complaints on rectal discomfort, occasional bright red blood on toilet tissue and prolapsing tissue in of anal area. This is probably internal hemorrhoid.
Another scenario brings a patient who complains on severe rectal pain and prolapsed tissue. The severe pain happens in external hemorrhoids. The pain follows thrombosis (thrombosis is the blood clot in your blood vessels).
There are four degrees of internal hemorrhoids.
It may be interesting for you to know because first, second and sometime third degree can be treated by banding only. Fourth degree and sometime third degree requires surgery.
Do not forget non-hemorrhoid causes of symptoms. To check with your doctor is worthwhile because there could be other problems, including cancer or anal fissure. (By the way for anal fissure medical treatment alone may heal it in 90% of cases).
How are hemorrhoids treated?
Well first you need to understand how do hemorrhoids happen. Several reasons lead to hemorrhoids:
Constipation and extra straining
Chronic Diarrhea and loose stools
Long sitting or standing
Weight lifting
Obesity
Pregnancy and childbirth
Inherited tendency to hemorrhoids.
So, avoid all this and you are free.
Obviously this list of reasons is too wide.
The list of measures is wide too.
Increase the fiber in your diet.
Eat more cereals, fruits, vegetables, grains, etc
Psyllium and methylcellulose are supplemental types of fiber.
Exercise, avoid long standing or sitting, don't strain, keep the anal area clean.
Increase liquids in your diet.
Use stool softeners, stool-bulking agents (not a tasty ones, but what can you do).
Treat diarrhea with anti-motility drugs and fiber.
Not every of these methods are proved scientifically. Nonetheless they are included in the standard recommendations for hemorrhoids treatment.
To treat itching or discomfort you may use suppositories, ointments, creams, and gels. You may find that all in your local pharmacy.
These products contain protectant and anesthetics (pain relievers). Local anesthetics numb the area and decrease burning and itching.
Remember that local anesthetics may cause allergy.
Analgesics (menthol, camphor) relieve pain and itching as well
Vasoconstrictors reduce swelling in the perianal area. Though they may have side effects. Better discuss with your doctor.
Pain in the Butt.
How to Deal with Hemorrhoids? (Part 2)
Protectants (kaolin, cocoa butter, lanolin, mineral oil, starch, zinc oxide or calamine, glycerin, etc) create a physical barrier to prevent contact of stool and the skin. This reduces irritation, itching, and burning.
