Internal and external hemorrhoids are characterized by swollen veins in and around the anus or lower rectum. They happen when pressure builds up on blood vessels. Hemorrhoids are most common in adults over age 50 but can also occur in children and young people. Aging, straining during bowel motions, and persistent constipation or diarrhea are a few of the causes.
Diagnosis
Hemorrhoids are distended blood vessels that develop either around the anus (external hemorrhoids) or inside the lower rectum (internal hemorrhoids). They may develop due to straining to move stool and are common in pregnancy, aging, heredity, and chronic constipation or diarrhea. In most cases, hemorrhoids go away independently after a few days, even without treatment. The main treatment is to control the symptoms by changing your bowel habits and eating more fiber. If your hemorrhoids don’t improve after home treatment, your doctor might recommend surgery. There are several options for removing internal hemorrhoids, including rubber band ligation and transanal hemorrhoidal artery ligation. Hemorrhoids don’t usually cause serious problems but can be uncomfortable and itchy. They can be diagnosed by a physical exam, checking for lumps, swelling, and irritation. Your doctor may also insert a finger into your anus to feel for internal hemorrhoids. Your doctor will also use a special scope to see what’s happening inside your anus.
Symptoms
Hemorrhoids are swollen, inflamed veins inside and outside the anus (back passage). They are usually harmless but may be painful. Most people get hemorrhoids at some point and often go away alone without treatment. But if your symptoms don’t improve or worsen, you should have hemorrhoids treatment. You can relieve symptoms by changing your diet to include more fiber and drinking more water. Also, avoiding straining during bowel movements can help. There are also over-the-counter pain relievers and anti-itch creams that can ease your discomfort and reduce swelling. These medicines can be bought from a pharmacy or your GP. Internal hemorrhoids can be removed with “rubber band ligation.” To halt the bleeding and cut off the blood supply involves putting a little rubber band around the base of an internal hemorrhoid. It usually works within a week. If a hemorrhoid is large or prolapsed, it may need to be surgically removed.
Prevention
Hemorrhoids are a common condition that simple lifestyle changes can prevent. Consuming a diet high in fiber and drinking lots of water will help avoid constipation, rubbing, and irritation that can cause hemorrhoids. Chronic constipation can increase your risk of hemorrhoids by putting additional pressure on the walls of your anal blood vessels. Sitting for long periods can also stress them, causing hemorrhoids to form. Your doctor may prescribe over-the-counter medications to reduce pain, itching and inflammation. These medications can work short-term to ease your symptoms but don’t resolve the underlying problem. If your hemorrhoid doesn’t get better with home treatments, you can consider an office procedure to cut off the circulation, causing the tissue to die and fall off. These procedures, which include rubber band ligation and Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation, can help in some cases, but they aren’t without risks. Hemorrhoids can return after some treatments, so they’re best treated early on.
Treatment
Depending on the type and grade of your hemorrhoids, you can manage them without treatment. Often, dietary changes (such as eating more fiber), increasing fluid intake and using stool softeners to lessen straining during bowel movements will help you manage your symptoms. However, if you’ve tried these measures and still have painful hemorrhoids, your doctor might recommend a surgical procedure to remove them. Options include a surgery called hemorrhoidectomy, stapled hemorrhoidectomy or Doppler-guided hemorrhoidal artery ligation. If your hemorrhoids are large or complicated with fissures, your doctor might also suggest a procedure known as sclerotherapy. In this procedure, a chemical solution is injected around the base of the hemorrhoid to shrink it and stop bleeding. This treatment is intended for internal hemorrhoids up to Grade 2. It’s a minor office procedure performed by your doctor.
