Hemorrhoids are a condition where you experience inflammation of the blood vessels on your anus or lower rectum. This condition affects men and women and is experienced by 1 in 20 Americans. It’s been said that about half of the population will experience hemorrhoids by the time they reach the age of 50.
And since it’s a common condition, it’s highly likely that you will or already are suffering from hemorrhoids. If you’re already suffering from hemorrhoids, then you came to the right place. Below, we will discuss everything you need to know about hemorrhoids. Learning more about your condition will help you understand your situation and find the right treatment that suits you.
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Each individual may experience different symptoms. Among the most typical symptoms are:
- Itching on your anus
- Irritation and pain in your anus
- Blood on stool, toilet paper, or toilet bowl
- A hard lump or swelling on your anus
The symptoms of hemorrhoids may resemble those of other illnesses. To be sure, always see your physician.
Different Kinds Of Hemorrhoid
There are three different kinds of hemorrhoids. One is the internal hemorrhoid, which is painless and can be located inside of your rectum. Internal hemorrhoids tend to bleed, especially when strained.
The second kind of hemorrhoid is prolapsed hemorrhoid. It is also an internal hemorrhoid that is more painful and severe. In this condition, the veins get pushed through the anus and hang out of your body, especially after bowel movement.
The last kind of hemorrhoid is the external hemorrhoid. It appears as a hard lump around the skin of your anus that bleeds.
Who Are At Risk Of Having Hemorrhoids
Many factors put someone at risk for hemorrhoids. If you are wondering who is most at risk of this condition, then you might want to check out the list below:
- Overweight or Obese individuals
- Pregnant Women
- Individuals with a family history of hemorrhoids
- Older Adults aged 50 and older
- Individuals with Crohn’s Disease
- Individuals with heart and liver diseases
- Individuals who have poor/low fiber diet
- Individuals suffering from diarrhea or constipation
Common Causes of Hemorrhoids
Straining is the number one reason why hemorrhoids occur. Straining puts pressure on your lower rectum or anus, which causes inflammation. As a result, hemorrhoids begin to form. Aside from straining, there are many ways where you can strain your rectum.
That said, you can check out the common causes of hemorrhoids below:
- Sitting for a long period on the toilet
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation
- Eating a diet low in fiber
- Pregnancy
- Strain when doing a bowel movement
- Lifting heavy things
- Aging-related weakening of the anus and rectum’s supporting tissues
Treatment For Hemorrhoids
There are many things you can do to manage your hemorrhoid. If you’re already suffering from this medical condition, below are the things that you can do to help treat or lessen the symptoms of your hemorrhoid.
Medicate
The first thing that you can do is to medicate. If your hemorrhoids aren’t that severe, your healthcare provider will only prescribe you hemorrhoid treatment over the counter.
You might as well be prescribed an ointment or cream that you can use to ease the discomfort you’re experiencing. These medications contain ingredients like witch hazel, lidocaine, or hydrocortisone to help relieve the pain and itch caused by hemorrhoids.
Home Remedies
Aside from medicating, there are also some home remedies you can do to help you manage your hemorrhoids. For instance, eating high-fiber food will help you pass your bowel easier, which lessens the pressure on your rectum.
Moreover, you can also soak your anus in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. If you have a bathtub at home, it would be helpful for your hemorrhoid if you soak in warm water for 15 minutes a day. But if you don’t have a bathtub, you can use a basin instead and sit on the warm water for a sitz bath.
Doing home remedies will not only help ease the discomfort of hemorrhoids, but it can also help it go away, especially if your condition is not severe.
Minimally-Invasive Procedure
Your healthcare provider might also suggest a minimally invasive procedure to remove your hemorrhoid. These procedures can be done in an outpatient setting or your doctor’s office. These usually don’t need some numbing agent.
The procedures that you might be undergoing are:
- Rubber band ligation. Your physician will tie one or two small rubber bands on the base of your internal hemorrhoid to cut the blood flow. As a result, the hemorrhoid will die and will fall off on its own within a week.
- Sclerotherapy. This procedure will require your doctor to inject a chemical solution into your hemorrhoid tissue to help it shrink.
- Coagulation. The last procedure that your doctor will suggest is coagulation. In this procedure, your healthcare provider will use laser or infrared heat or light. The procedure causes small bleeding on your hemorrhoid, which helps it harden and shrivel.
Surgical Procedure
The last option you have to address your hemorrhoid is to undergo surgery. Hemorrhoid surgery comes in two different approaches: hemorrhoid removal or hemorrhoidectomy and hemorrhoid stapling.
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Each individual may experience different symptoms. Among the most typical symptoms are:
- Itching on your anus
- Irritation and pain in your anus
- Blood on stool, toilet paper, or toilet bowl
- A hard lump or swelling on your anus
The symptoms of hemorrhoids may resemble those of other illnesses. To be sure, always see your physician.
Different Kinds Of Hemorrhoid
There are three different kinds of hemorrhoids. One is the internal hemorrhoid, which is painless and can be located inside of your rectum. Internal hemorrhoids tend to bleed, especially when strained.
The second kind of hemorrhoid is prolapsed hemorrhoid. It is also an internal hemorrhoid that is more painful and severe. In this condition, the veins get pushed through the anus and hang out of your body, especially after bowel movement.
The last kind of hemorrhoid is the external hemorrhoid. It appears as a hard lump around the skin of your anus that bleeds.
Who Are At Risk Of Having Hemorrhoids
Many factors put someone at risk for hemorrhoids. If you are wondering who is most at risk of this condition, then you might want to check out the list below:
- Overweight or Obese individuals
- Pregnant Women
- Individuals with a family history of hemorrhoids
- Older Adults aged 50 and older
- Individuals with Crohn’s Disease
- Individuals with heart and liver diseases
- Individuals who have poor/low fiber diet
- Individuals suffering from diarrhea or constipation
To Sum It Up
A hemorrhoid provides discomfort that ranges from mild itching to severe pain. It can also be an inconvenience when having a bowel movement. So, if you suspect that you have hemorrhoids, you must schedule a visit to your physician right away for a physical examination and treatment.
