What are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are dilated and twisted veins of the rectum and are found inside the anus which occur when the veins in those area get enlarged. These varicose veins may eventually bleed, get inflamed or can develop a blood clot. Hemorrhoids are of two kinds, the external and internal. The inflamed veins between the rectum and the anus are the latter type and that develops around the opening of the anus is known as the external hemorrhoids. The external hemorrhoids may bleed and can also rupture.

This is a common health problem found among 50% of the population above 50 years of USA and though the reason for the disease cannot be considered as genetic it is also believed to be a contributing factor.

What are the Causes of Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are caused by the increased pressure in the abdomen at the time of defecation due to various reason such as strain in bowel movement due to frequent constipation, pressure of the fetus in pregnant women, obesity, etc, besides the common cause relating to the type of one's work that requires long hours of standing or sitting like the job of a traffic officer or waitress or sitting jobs like counter clerks and truck drivers etc. and also for people engaged in heavy lifting.

Hemorrhoids are also caused rarely on account of Cirrhosis of liver. However the exact reason for the development of the swelling of the veins is unknown while all or many of the above factors may cause a hemorrhoid condition.

It is also believed that the type of work is not the contributing factor for the condition though it can worsen existing hemorrhoids.

What are the Symptoms of Hemorrhoids?

While the common symptoms for the external Hemorrhoids are pain, itching, burning and swelling of in the anus area. Some times this may also cause bleeding. Internal hemorrhoids found inside the rectum are not painful and many may not know that they have them. However due to irritation or hard pressure like in constipated condition these veins may cause bleeding that is seen on the stool, toilet bowl or toilet paper.

In case the internal hemorrhoids are left untreated the internal hemorrhoids can protrud outside the anus opening leading to a state called prolapsed hemorrhoids that may eventually result in a strangulated hemorrhoid.

How are they Diagnosed?

As explained above many may not even know that they suffer from an internal hemorrhoid as no serious symptoms appear unless the internal veins are subject to pressure in conditions of constipation. The external hemorrhoids are protruded in later stages and become visible and problematic. Hemorrhoids are usually not dangerous to life and do not cause cancer. Most of the conditions clear up after a few days. However the similarity in the external symptoms like anal bleeding that may also be due to diseases like colorectal cancer and certain other digestive system disorders one needs to get examined as soon the symptom appears to rule out the possibility of any such diseases and to get proper treatment early in such cases.

The disease is diagnosed by the visual examination by the doctor by inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the anus. Alternately he may also use an anoscope to see the canal. In rare cases he may also examine using by a colon scope for the examination of the colon.

Is there any Treatment for Hemorrhoid Relief?

Venapro is the most effective and popular treatment for hemorrhoid relief. Here is a review of venapro. In very few cases hemorrhoids may not require any treatment unless they become painful and start bleeding. Normally consumption of any laxative or stool softeners may give relief from the strained bowel movements. Soaking the anus in warm water known as sitz bath can relieve the pain. However bleeding hemorrhoids may require injection that may obliterate the hemorrhoids with the scar tissue.

Another common treatment for large internal hemorrhoids that do not respond to the injection is to tie them with rubber bands that make the veins to wither off without pains. Usually this is done for one hemorrhoid at a time and repeated once a fortnight. Alternatively the internal hemorrhoids may also be treated by a laser or electrical current.

Normally surgical intervention is made if only all other treatments fail. Surgery causes severe pain and new techniques are being investigated for pain free removal of hemorrhoids by methods like hemorrhoid artery legation. Another method is the hemorrhoidectomy. Depending on the case surgery may be performed by giving local or general anesthesia, the healing takes place after a period of 3 to 4 weeks and hemorrhoids rarely recur after the surgical removal.

There are various local and alternative treatments also available for external and internal hemorrhoids like specific fiber rich diets, herbal ointments and preparations besides Acupuncture, and homoeopathic treatments.

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