What are hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoid is a condition where the veins around the anus are enlarged, inflamed and swollen. Hemorrhoids can be a result from too much stress or strain in moving the stool. There are other contributing factors which could lead to hemorrhoids; these are aging, pregnancy, chronic constipation, diarrhea and anal intercourse. Hemorrhoids can be internal or external; it depends on which parts of the veins are affected. In internal hemorrhoids, the internal veins can become swollen and it usually occurs higher up in the anal canal. This makes internal hemorrhoids difficult to see or feel not unless they are severe where bleeding is the most common symptom. External hemorrhoids are easy to spot because they occur outside the anus. External hemorrhoids appear as skin-covered veins that have bulged and they are usually colored blue. External hemorrhoids can easily be felt and examined by hand.
What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?
Most anorectal problems which include fistulae, abscesses, fissures, irritation have similar symptoms with hemorrhoids and they are incorrectly referred as hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are not life-threatening and the symptoms of hemorrhoids would usually go away after a few days. Most people who have hemorrhoids will not experience any symptoms at all. Internal hemorrhoids usually produce a stool that is covered in bright red blood. Internal hemorrhoids can also project outside the body through the anus; this will make the hemorrhoids even more irritated and painful. The symptoms of external hemorrhoid include swelling and hard lumps around the anal opening. These hard lumps are produced when blood clot forms.
What are the home treatments for Hemorrhoids?
Treating hemorrhoids at home gives you the cheapest option and it is the least invasive treatment too. Temporary relief from hemorrhoids can be achieved by:
1. Hydrotherapy – external hemorrhoids that shows visible lump of small size can be improved by getting a warm bath. This would cause the blood vessels on the rectal area to relax.
2. Cold compress
3. Topical analgesic like cinchocaine or pramocaine.
4. Systemic pill - analgesic (pain reliever).
5. Topical corticosteroids like hydrocortisone.
6.Topical vasoconstrictor like phenylephrine.
7.Topical moisturizer.
8. Topical astringent like witch hazel
What are the natural treatments for Hemorrhoids?
1. Eat lots of fiber rich foods and drink lots of water. This makes a stool that is softer and a stool that passes on the anus easily. Bulk stool softeners such as pysllium is also highly recommended.
2. Assuming a squat position when delivering stools.
3. Take dietary supplements that can help treat and prevent the many complications of hemorrhoids.
4. Butcher's Broom extract, or Ruscus aculeatus, have ruscogenins that provides anti-inflammatory and vasoconstrictor properties. These active substances help tighten and strengthen the veins. Butcher's Broom has been used to treat venous problems for a very long time, this includes hemorrhoids and varicose veins.
5. Horse-chestnut extract, or Aesculus hippocastanum, provides a saponin known as aescin. Aescin has anti-inflammatory, anti-edema, and venotonic properties. Aescin can improve the tone in vein walls. It strengthens the supporting structure of the vein.
What are the surgical and non-medicinal treatments for Hemorrhoids?
1. Rubber band ligation also called Baron ligation – this involves the use of elastic bands that are tied on internal hemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply. After several days, the hemorrhoid dies off and is discharged during normal bowel movement.
2. Infrared coagulation - A special gadget with infrared light source is used to burn hemorrhoidal tissues.
3. Hemorrhoidectomy – a special surgical procedure designed to remove hemorrhoids.
4. Hemorrhoidolysis - desiccation of hemorrhoid tissues by using electrical current.
5. Sclerotherapy - A sclerosant or hardening agent is injected into hemorrhoidal tissues, this makes the hemorrhoid tissues to shrink.
6. Cryosurgery - freezes the hemorrhoid tissue.
8. Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization (THD-HP).
9. Stapled hemorrhoidectomy
How are hemorrhoids prevented?
The best way to avoid hemorrhoids is to make your stool soft in such a way that they pass through the anus easily, this decreases the pressure and strain during bowel movement. Regular exercise, lots of water and a high fiber diet can reduce constipation.
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