How Are Hemorrhoids Diagnosed
Your healthcare provider diagnoses hemorrhoids based on symptoms and a physical exam. You may also have:
- Digital rectal exam: Your provider inserts a gloved, lubricated finger into the rectum to feel for swollen veins.
- Anoscopy: Your provider uses an anoscope to view the lining of the anus and rectum.
- Sigmoidoscopy: Your provider uses a sigmoidoscope to view inside the lower part of the colon and rectum. Procedure types include flexible sigmoidoscopy and rigid sigmoidoscopy .
These tests may be uncomfortable but arent painful. They typically take place in a doctors office or outpatient center without anesthesia. You go home the same day.
Your provider may perform a colonoscopy to confirm findings from other tests or check for signs of colon cancer. This outpatient procedure requires anesthesia.
How To Treat Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal Hemorrhoids Medicine
Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the anal canal as live tissue, and are not visible or even noticeable until they begin to protrude out of the anus. Once they have protruded outside of the rectum area, the condition is referred to as prolapsed hemorrhoids. The main cause of internal hemorrhoids is the excessive stress and straining of the veins contained in the rectum. External hemorrhoids are also caused in this way. Unfortunately, with enough stress and straining, blood loss may occur from the internal hemorrhoids. This condition is referred to as Bleeding Hemorrhoids.
To begin treating your Hemorrhoids Symptoms, there are a variety of internal hemorrhoids medicines that can be used. Internal hemorrhoids medicines are generally divided into three categories: dietary, prescription over-the-counter medications, and herbal remedies.
Changing Your Eating HabitsInternal Hemorrhoids Medicine
A diet thats fiber-rich is naturally one of the best internal hemorrhoids medicines. As well as just treating the internal hemorrhoids, a fiber-rich diet improves the bowel movement and makes it soft and easy to pass, preventing stress on sensitive rectal veins that can eventually lead into hemorrhoids. Natural dietary fiber can be found in fresh vegetables, fruits and whole grain choices. However another convenient way to get your fiber intake is to include commercial fiber supplements in your dietjust take them before you go to bed.
Medical Procedures For Hemorrhoids That Wont Go Away
If hemorrhoids don’t go away with home treatments, medical procedures may be necessary.
If you visit your doctor with painful external hemorrhoids those located around the outside of the anus that are visible from the outside your doctor may offer to excise them during the office visit. You will be given a shot with a local anesthetic to numb the area before the procedure.
Doctor’s office procedures for internal hemorrhoids those located inside the rectum may include:
Rubber Band Ligation This is the most commonly performed hemorrhoid procedure in the United States. In this procedure, which can be used for grades 1, 2, and 3 internal hemorrhoids , the doctor places a small rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid, which can be done when your doctor performs an anoscopy examination to better visualize the hemorrhoids. The rubber band cuts off the hemorrhoid’s blood supply.
The procedure typically causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and fall off within about a week, though several short visits to your doctor may be necessary to completely get rid of the hemorrhoid. Minor bleeding and a feeling of pressure may occur, but this can usually be alleviated with OTC pain relievers. This procedure is not associated with significant recovery time.
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Causes And Risk Factors
The underlying cause of hemorrhoids that form in the anus or rectum is still a matter of debate. One theory is that it is due to the breakdown of the supporting tissues in the anal canal.
When hemorrhoids are untreated, last for a long time, or are under more physical pressure, they can become prolapsed and protrude out of the anus or rectum.
There are several risk factors for prolapsed hemorrhoids, including:
- Advanced age
- Overuse of anti-diarrhea medications
- Pregnancy
Sometimes, placing something in the anus, such as during sexual activity, or for medical treatment, can also cause pressure, resulting in a prolapsed hemorrhoid.
Medical Procedures For Hemorrhoids
If your symptoms are severe or aren’t getting better after a couple of weeks, your doctor may suggest a procedure to shrink or remove the hemorrhoids. Many can be performed in their office.
Injection. Your doctor can inject an internal hemorrhoid with a solution to create a scar and close off the hemorrhoid. The shot hurts only a little.
Rubber band ligation. This procedure is often done on prolapsed hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids that can be seen or felt outside. Using a special tool, the doctor puts a tiny rubber band around the hemorrhoid, which shuts off its blood supply almost instantly. Within a week, the hemorrhoid will dry up, shrink, and fall off.
Coagulation or cauterization. With an electric probe, a laser beam, or an infrared light, your doctor will make a tiny burn to remove tissue and painlessly seal the end of the hemorrhoid, causing it to close off and shrink. This works best for prolapsed hemorrhoids.
Surgery. For large internal hemorrhoids or extremely uncomfortable external hemorrhoids, your doctor may recommend surgery.
- Hemorrhoidectomy. The most effective technique is to completely remove the hemorrhoids. But recovery is painful and can take several weeks.
- Hemorrhoid stapling. This technique cuts blood flow to internal hemorrhoids and moves prolapsed tissue back in place. Recovery is easier, but thereâs a greater chance of the hemorrhoids coming back.
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Can Hemorrhoids Be Prevented Or Avoided
Just about everyone has hemorrhoids at some time. But some things may make you more likely to get them. People whose parents had hemorrhoids may be more likely to get them. Pregnant women often get hemorrhoids because of the strain from carrying the baby and from giving birth. Being very overweight or standing or lifting too much can make hemorrhoids worse.
Do I Need To See A Doctor
Its best to see a doctor if youre noticing blood. While it could be due to a hemorrhoid, it could also be a sign of something more serious, such as colorectal cancer.
A doctor will likely start by confirming that hemorrhoids are the source of the blood youve noticed. To do this, theyll either examine the area for external hemorrhoids or insert a gloved finger to check for internal hemorrhoids.
If its still not clear where the bloods coming from, they may recommend a colonoscopy, which involves inserting a small, lighted camera into your colon while you are sedated. This will help them check for any signs of other conditions that could be causing the bleeding.
Make sure to tell them if you have any of the following symptoms in addition to bleeding:
- changes in stool consistency or color
- changes in bowel movement habits
- weight loss
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Symptoms Of Prolapsed Internal Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids prolapse when their blood vessels swell and extend from their location in the rectum through the anus. In the anal canal, the hemorrhoid is exposed to the trauma of passing stool, particularly hard stools associated with constipation. The trauma can cause bleeding and sometimes pain when stool passes.
The presence of
- inflammation, and
- constant moisture
can lead to anal itchiness , and occasionally the constant feeling of needing to have a bowel movement. The prolapsing hemorrhoid usually returns into the anal canal or rectum on its own or can be pushed back inside with a finger, but falls out again with the next bowel movement.
What Are The Symptoms Of Internal Hemorrhoids
The first symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bleeding, either you see the blood that is bright red in the stool or on toilet paper. The other symptom is if the hemorrhoid prolapse and comes out.
Internal hemorrhoids are often painless but they can still cause a lot of problems even if cant feel them. Also known as inner hemorrhoids or internal piles, these conditions cause inflamed vascular structures inside the anal canal. Theyre located above the pectinate line and mostly painless.
Unlike external hemorrhoids, cant be seen from the outside since external hemorrhoids are located below the pectinate line. Internal hemorrhoids are covered with intestine cells and they can be harder to diagnose. External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, can be easily diagnosed since theyre not concealed inside the rectum, unlike the internal ones.
If you have internal hemorrhoids try this to get rid of them, this both clear hemorrhoid out and prevents them from coming again.
Make sure to watch the video too about symptoms of internal hemorrhoids!
There are some ways you can use to notice internal hemorrhoids and there sure are different options to treat them as well.
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What Natural Home Remedies Soothe Or Cure Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoid symptoms of pain and itching can be treated at home by doing the following.
Warm Sitz Baths
- Sitting in a few inches of warm water three times a day for 15 to 20 minutes may help decrease the inflammation of the hemorrhoids.
- It is important to dry off the anal area completely after each Sitz bath to minimize irritation of the skin surrounding the anus.
Dietary Changes
- Increased fluid intake and dietary fiber will decrease the potential for constipation and lessen the pressure on the rectum and anus during a bowel movement, minimizing further swelling, discomfort, and bleeding. Dietary fiber supplements also may help bulk up the stools
Stool Softeners
- Stool softeners may help. A health-care professional or a pharmacist are good resources to discuss their use.
Exercise
- Individuals with hemorrhoids should not sit for long periods of time and may benefit from sitting on an air or rubber donut available at most local pharmacies.
- Exercise is helpful in relieving constipation and in decreasing pressure on the hemorrhoidal veins. Individuals should be encouraged to have a bowel movement as soon as possible after the urge arises and not sit on the toilet for long periods of time. Once that urge passes, stools can become constipated and straining with a bowel movement may occur.
Who Is At Risk For Internal Hemorrhoids
The risk of hemorrhoids increases as your age advances because of the weakening of tissues supporting veins in the rectum and anal canal.It may also happen when there is increased intra abdominal pressure, which in turn increases pressure inside the rectum
For example,
Complications:
- Internal hemorrhoids can seldom cause complications,
- You can get anemia because of the constant chronic blood loss,
- Piles may get strangulated and cause immense pain
- A blood clot inside your piles may lead to Thrombosed Hemorrhoids, which should be managed effectively
- Piles may Prolapse
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How Many Types Of Piles Are There
Piles can be divided into either internal or external piles. Some people develop internal and external piles at the same time.
- Internal piles are deeper and initially form above a point 2-3 cm inside the back passage in the upper part of the anal canal or lower rectum .
- External piles start off nearer the surface, below a point 2-3 cm inside the back passage.
Despite the name, external piles aren’t always seen outside of the opening of the back passage . Equally confusing, internal piles can enlarge and drop down , so that they hang outside of the anus.
Piles are also graded by their size and severity.
How Are Hemorrhoids Treated
Once hemorrhoidal symptoms develop, a variety of treatment options exist, depending upon the situation and severity of the hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are graded by the degree of prolapse below the pectinate line into the anal canal.
Grade 1: The internal hemorrhoid bulges into the canal but does not prolapse or fall completely into it. These may bleed.
Grade 2: The hemorrhoid protrudes past the anal verge with straining for a bowel movement or passage of flatus, but spontaneously returns to its original internal position once the straining has subsided.
Grade 3: The hemorrhoid may protrude past the anal verge without any straining and requires the patient to push them inside manually.
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What Causes Internal Hemorrhoids
Having hemorrhoids is a normal thing for everyone since we all have them. We only notice them once they pose a problem to our health and internal hemorrhoids are no different in these cases. When we mention hemorrhoids, we mean the inflamed version of them that causes a lot of problems and thats not all.
Internal hemorrhoids however are caused by inflammation of the end part of our large intestine. That part of our intestine is used to store or bowel movements. The veins inside that part become swollen by muscle and other connective tissues that cause internal hemorrhoids.
They form pretty much near the end of our rectum and theyre mostly painless even if they swell. The only way you can feel them once they relapse and cause some unusual symptoms to show. If you feel like having pain, then it has to be because of something else, not internal hemorrhoids.
What Are The Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids rarely cause pain unless they prolapse. Many people with internal hemorrhoids dont know they have them because they dont have symptoms.
If you have symptoms of internal hemorrhoids, you might see blood on toilet paper, in stool or the toilet bowl. These are signs of rectal bleeding.
Signs of external hemorrhoids include:
- Itchy anus.
- Hard lumps near the anus that feel sore or tender.
- Pain or ache in the anus, especially when you sit.
- Rectal bleeding.
Prolapsed hemorrhoids can be painful and uncomfortable. You may be able to feel them bulging outside the anus and gently push them back inside.
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Symptoms Of Thrombosed External Hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids can be felt as bulges at the anus, but they usually cause few of the symptoms that are typical of internal hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids can cause problems, however, when blood clots inside them. This is referred to as thrombosis. Thrombosis of such a hemorrhoid causes an anal lump that is
- very painful,
- tender, and
- often requires medical attention.
The thrombosed hemorrhoid may heal with scarring, and leave a tag of skin protruding in the anus. Occasionally, the tag is large, which can make anal hygiene difficult or irritate the anus. Even after such a hemorrhoid goes away, a residual skin tag may remain, and this may need to be surgically removed.
Causes Of Internal Hemorrhoids
In some cases, hemorrhoids can be an unavoidable issue associated with aging.
Hemorrhoids can develop any time there is an extra degree of pressure on the rectum. Some sources of this strain include:
- Constipation and diarrhea: These conditions both put stress on the rectal area, either by straining too much in the case of constipation or by frequent bowel movements in the case of diarrhea. These issues can often be resolved with diet and lifestyle changes but may also be associated with other conditions like IBS and IBD.
- Unhealthy diet: A diet that is high in fat and/or low in fiber can affect our bowel movements, causing constipation or diarrhea. As described above, this can put pressure on the rectum and increase time sitting on the toilet.
- Pregnancy and childbirth: Many women develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy due to the increased pressure on the pelvis that a growing fetus can cause. Straining during childbirth can also result in hemorrhoids.
- Obesity: People who are obese are at a higher risk of developing both internal and external hemorrhoids because of increased pressure around the rectum and because obesity may be associated with poor diet and a sedentary lifestyle.
- Long periods of sitting: Regular activity is an important aspect to prevent hemorrhoids and other anorectal health issues. Sitting for long stretches can put undue strain on your rectal area.
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Causes For Internal Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids have various causes, but most of the time, the cause is unknown.Blood vessels inside the anus stretch during straining or under pressure and may bulge and swell, causing hemorrhoids.
Often it is due to
- Increased straining during defecation
- Chronic diarrhea & purgation
- Sitting in the toilet for a longer time will also increase the pressure inside the lower rectum
- Being obese/pregnant
- Eating less fiber food and reduced intake of water
- Anal intercourse
If you experience any of the above signs and symptoms, Book an appointment at PROCTOCAN for further queries.
Hemorrhoid Home Remedies: Warm Sitz Bath
A sitz bath refers to sitting in a few inches of warm water three times a day for 15 to 20 minutes. A sitz bath may help decrease the inflammation of hemorrhoids. Drying off the anal area completely after each sitz bath is important for minimizing moisture that irritates the skin surrounding your rectal area.
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Severe Hemorrhoids Vs Mild Hemorrhoids: Stages
Many physicians use a grading system to categorize hemorrhoids along four stages:
- First-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that bleed, but do not prolapse. These are slightly enlarged hemorrhoids, but they do not protrude outside the anus.
- Second-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and retract on their own . These may come out of the anus during certain activities like passing stool, and then return back inside the body.
- Third-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and must be pushed back in by a finger.
- Fourth-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and cannot be pushed back in the anal canal. Fourth-degree hemorrhoids also include hemorrhoids that are thrombosed or that pull much of the lining of the rectum through the anus.