When Do I Need To Consult My Doctor For Hemorrhoids
While in many cases simple home remedies provide relief, see your doctor in any of these following situations:
Often, hemorrhoids dont completely disappear until a few weeks post-delivery. However, during pregnancy follow these tips to keep discomfort at bay. Regular exercise and balanced diet are important for a healthy pregnancy, and will also help you minimize the effects hemorrhoids.
Have any tips for avoiding hemorrhoids, or dealing with them? Share them with the expecting mothers, in the comments section!
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Tips To Prevent Or Treat Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Hemorrhoid during pregnancy is one of the most common symptoms, mainly in the last two trimesters of pregnancy, and if you are one of those mommies who suffer from constipation. In this post, I am going to give you a list of tips that you can implement today to prevent or treat hemorrhoids during pregnancy in a natural way.
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Hemorrhoids are varicose veins in the rectum. Theyre also known as piles because of the resemblance these swollen veins sometimes bear to a pile of grapes or marbles.
There are two types of hemorrhoids the symptoms will depend on what type of hemorrhoids you are having.
- Pain, mainly with bowel movement.
- Bleeding, mainly with bowel movement.
The causes of hemorrhoids during pregnancy are:
Here is what you can do to prevent hemorrhoids naturally.
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What Can Cause Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
The increase in the hormone progesterone during pregnancy can also contribute to the development of hemorrhoids, as it relaxes the walls of your veins, making them more prone to swelling. An increase in blood volume, which enlarges veins, can also contribute to hemorrhoids during pregnancy.
Three common additional causes of hemorrhoids during pregnancy include:
- Straining during bowel movements
- Straining from carrying extra pregnancy weight
- Sitting or standing for long periods of time
Hemorrhoids are most common in pregnant women who experience constipation.
As many as 38 percent of pregnant women become constipated at some point during their pregnancy, according to research published in the journal BMJ Clinical Evidence.
One cause of constipation during pregnancy may be when the growing uterus pushes against the bowel. Iron supplements you may take can also contribute to constipation, so its worth trying to get the iron you need naturally through your diet.
Pregnancy hormones can also slow down the movement of food through the digestive tract, making constipation more likely.
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Hemorrhoids Tend To Be More Common Later In Pregnancy Learn How To Get Rid Of These Uncomfortable Varicose Veins While Expecting
Hemorrhoids are itchy, painful varicose veins in your rectal area. Many women develop hemorrhoids during pregnancy because their blood vessels are swollen with a higher blood volume than usual. The extra blood can cause hemorrhoids to plump up to the size of a marble, and your growing uterus exerts more pressure on the pelvic veins, increasing the swelling.
Pregnant women can implement several strategies to prevent hemorrhoids. For example, they can avoid constipation by consuming plenty of fluids, eating a high-fiber diet, and regularly exercising, says Jeanne Faulkner, R.N. Even when following this advice, though, hemorrhoids might still be inevitable.
So how long does it take for hemorrhoids to go away? Depending on the severity, they can stick around for days, weeks, or monthsbut you don’t have to suffer in silence. Learn how to get rid of hemorrhoids with these tips and tricks.
How Do You Treat Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
Education is often the best treatment for hemorrhoids until they go away on their own. They usually go away after your baby arrives.
Relieve your constipation
Having regular bowel movements can ease the strain on your hemorrhoids. The less youre straining on the toilet, the less stress youre putting on these veins. Heres how you do it:
- Eat 25 to 30 grams of fiber each day.
- Drink eight to 12 cups of water a day.
- Take a laxative but only one that your provider has approved.
Try home remedies
Try some home remedies for hemorrhoids to relieve any discomfort youre feeling.
- Apply pure aloe or coconut oil to ease minor pain or discomfort.
- Apply witch hazel to your hemorrhoids to reduce itching and pain.
- Apply either wet or dry baking soda to your hemorrhoids to ease itching.
Take the pressure off your hemorrhoids
Theres nothing you can do about the added pressure from the fetus thats putting strain on your body, but you can change your habits so that youre reducing the strain that you can control. Here are some tips:
- Dont remain standing or sitting for too long. Instead, lay on your side to take pressure off your pelvic area and bowel.
- When you do sit, use a donut pillow.
- Dont strain or linger too long on the toilet when youre having trouble pooping. Instead, focus on relieving your constipation.
If at-home care isnt working, your healthcare provider may recommend a procedure to remove your hemorrhoids thats safe for you and your baby.
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Some Of The Most Common Forms Of Hemorrhoids Are
- Internal hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are more likely to be caused by straining while sitting, walking or standing while the external hemorrhoids are more likely to be caused by constipation.
If you experience any of these symptoms you should seek medical advice immediately and ensure you are using the correct treatment for the type of hemorrhoid you are suffering from, if you are experiencing any pain or bleeding then you should seek medical advice as this can often be a sign of severe cases of hemorrhoids.
If you feel that your symptoms are becoming more severe, or if they are accompanied by severe pain, do not be afraid to get the assistance of a doctor. He may be able to recommend something that can help you ease your symptoms. relieve the pain and the inflammation.
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What Can You Do About Hemorrhoids
Preventing is better than curing, and the best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to eat plenty of high-fiber foods and to drink enough water always have a glass of water on the go, and dont wait until you feel thirsty. Kegel exercises, not sitting down for long stretches at once, and taking your time to have a bowel movement all help prevent hemorrhoids as well. Once you start showing signs of hemorrhoids, Witch hazel and arnica gels are both anti-inflammatory natural treatments that may help you get rid of your hemorrhoids. A semi-hot bath every day will also help fight hemorrhoids. If you have concerns about overheating during pregnancy, a sitz bath which you put over the toilet is a fantastic alternative to a whole-body bath. Herbal solutions against hemorrhoids will aid your speedy recovery.
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What Are The Common Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids In Pregnancy
The common symptoms of hemorrhoids during pregnancy are as follows-
How Are Haemorrhoids Treated During Pregnancy
Because constipation worsens haemorrhoids, treatment options centre around preventing or managing constipation, or reducing pain associated with haemorrhoids.
Treatment options include the following:
- Lifestyle changes having a diet high in fibre and drinking lots of water will help ensure you dont need to strain on the toilet. External haemorrhoids can be treated by placing an icepack on the affected area to reduce swelling. Taking a warm bath may also help to reduce the pain.
- Laxatives these help ease any straining associated with constipation. They help you pass bowel movements more easily.
- Pain relief medicine paracetamol can help address pain associated with sore, swollen veins, and can be taken during pregnancy. Be sure to follow the directions for use.
- Haemorrhoid creams help address itchiness, pain or inflammation, and contain active ingredients such as corticosteroids or local anaesthetics.
Speak with a health professional such as pharmacist before using medicines or creams while pregnant.
Avoiding constipation is the best way you can reduce your chance of haemorrhoids. A healthy gut helps stop you from straining during a bowel movement. Eat a diet high in fruit, vegetables and wholegrains, and drink plenty of water.
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How Are Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy Diagnosed
Hemorrhoids during pregnancy are common enough that your healthcare provider will likely know that you have hemorrhoids by how you talk about your symptoms. To be sure, your provider may:
- Your provider can usually spot external hemorrhoids.
- Do a digital rectal exam. Your provider may insert a gloved finger inside your rectum to feel for any internal hemorrhoids.
- Do an anoscopy or sigmoidoscopy. Both procedures are simple and quick. They allow your provider to see inside your rectum.
None of the options sound pleasant, but getting a hemorrhoids diagnosis is more uncomfortable than painful. And dont be embarrassed. This is a routine diagnosis for your provider.
What Are The Symptoms
The most common symptoms of both internal and external hemorrhoids include:
- Bleeding during bowel movements. You might see streaks of bright red blood on toilet paper after you strain to have a bowel movement.
Internal hemorrhoids
With internal hemorrhoids, you may see bright red streaks of blood on toilet paper or bright red blood in the toilet bowl after you have a normal bowel movement. You may see blood on the surface of the stool.
External hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids can get irritated and clot under the skin, causing a hard painful lump. This is called a thrombosed, or clotted, hemorrhoid.
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Hemorrhoids Post Pregnancy Overview
Why do hemorrhoids seem to be most prevalent and painful post pregnancy? This is because throughout labor, mothers use their abdominal muscles and subsequently, their muscles in the lower rectal region, to push and deliver the baby.
Mothers know that labor can go on for several hours, so the straining that occurs during this time inflames the rectal veins, resulting in swollen hemorrhoids.
Experiencing hemorrhoids post pregnancy is completely normal.
You can use natural remedies to soothe the pain caused by the swollen hemorrhoids.
Many methods of treatments are safe to use even while breastfeeding. If symptoms persist for more than a few weeks, consult your doctor for a treatment plan.
Hemorrhoids can be unbearable at times, so get as much help as you can by checking out this hemorrhoid pain guide.
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Home Remedies For Hemorrhoids
There are many steps you can take at home to relieve and prevent hemorrhoids. Here are some ideas.
- Use wipes or pads that contain witch hazel.
- Use gentle, flushable wipes when you have a bowel movement.
- Use a sitz bath or soak in clean warm water for 10 minutes at a time a few times a day.
- Take Epsom salt baths in warm water thats not too hot.
- Hold an ice pack on the area for a few minutes several times a day.
You may want to speak with a doctor before treating hemorrhoids at home. This will ensure you get a proper diagnosis and understand the treatment options available to you.
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There Are Some Procedures That Can Be Done:
Rubber-band ligation: A small rubber band placed around the base of hemorrhoids. The band will stop the flow of blood into the hemorrhoids and eventually the hemorrhoids will fall off. This usually takes around 10 to 12 days.
Sclerotherapy: A solution is injected directly into the hemorrhoids which causes them to shrink and to form scar tissue.
However, these procedures are rarely required as lifestyle modifications alone can reduce the symptoms of hemorrhoids in pregnant women. If the symptoms are intolerable then seeking expert counsel is advisable.
At Home of Healing Surgical Center, our team led by Dr. Rengan deals with many pregnant patients reporting with piles. We will ensure that all possible non surgical methods will be tried to treat piles before prescribing surgery.
We will also make sure that no major illness or disease is missed while starting your treatment. If you have noticed blood in your stool or are having discomfort while defecating, do feel free to pay us a visit so we can guide you on the best course of action.
How Can I Treat Hemorrhoids
You cant get rid of hemorrhoids, but you can treat them until they go away on their own. Keep your rectal area clean and wipe gently. And dont scrimp on toilet paper! None of this one-ply crap. Get some cushy tissue and treat yourself.
You can use witch hazel packs or cold packs to help comfort your bum and reduce swelling. Taking lukewarm baths also known as sitz baths is also a great way to keep clean and soothe your tush if youre in pain or discomfort.
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Why Are Hemorrhoids More Common During Pregnancy
Some people are predisposed to them, but for most women, hemorrhoids are more common during pregnancy. One reason is that moms-to-be frequently find themselves dealing with constipation. The straining causes blood vessels to become swollen, says Candice Wood, MD, an assistant clinical professor at the University of Arizona and Banner University Medical Center Phoenix. In addition, higher progesterone levels cause the vessels to relax and swell.
During pregnancy, a womans blood volume will also increase significantly, by about 50 percent. That means theres more circulating blood and fluid inside the veinsso the veins are bigger just from being pregnant. Exacerbating matters is that blood flow from the lower half of the body tends to be sluggish and obstructed because of the enlarged uterusand a growing baby puts even more pressure on the blood vessels. The weight of the baby and uterus on the rectum helps push hemorrhoids out. Thats why when moms-to-be have hemorrhoids, they tend to have the worst symptoms late in the third trimester. And guess what? Youre not the only one suffering silently back there: Almost all women have hemorrhoids during pregnancy to a greater or lesser degree, Minkin says.
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How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy
First the bad news: Hemorrhoids are permanent, so unfortunately, you cant get rid of them per se. The somewhat good news? Some women may not feel any symptoms, and if thats the case with you, then you dont have anything to worry about, Sullivan says. Just monitor it. However, if yours are uncomfortable, you can at least treat the symptoms. Heres how to ease hemorrhoid pain during pregnancy:
Ice pack. The simplest remedy, a cold compress can offer immediate, albeit very temporary, relief.
A sitz bath. This is an easy home remedy for pregnancy hemorrhoids. If youre having pain, your best friend is a warm tub of water, Minkin says. You dont need to put anything in itjust sit there and read a book for 10 or 15 minutes. Get out of the tub, pat the area dry, and then take your hair dryer on low heat to the areaits soothing, and you dont have to rub the area. Follow up with an over-the-counter medication .
Witch hazel pads. These have a cooling effect and can be used to clean the area or, when folded, as a compress to reduce swelling. One mom, plagued with no less than five hemorrhoids during pregnancy, found these pads to be especially helpful. I use witch hazel wipes or pads every time after I go to the bathroom, she says. In addition to generic witch hazel pads, you can also find treatments specifically for hemorrhoids, such as Tucks.
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Every Time You Go To The Bathroom
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