Hemorrhoids Or Colon Cancer
Colon cancer and hemorrhoids are very different conditions, but they can produce blood in the stool. Seeing blood in the stool can be alarming, especially if you have never experienced it before. Most likely, you may have been straining when having a bowel movement and the bleeding is due to a hemorrhoid. In other cases, blood in the stool could be an indication of something more serious. Lets take a look at both hemorrhoids and colon cancer so you can be informed.
Hemorrhoids Or Something Else
Guest over a year ago
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David007 over a year ago
Hey man, I’ve had the exactly same problem like you. It’s definitely hemorrhoids and it evolved in an anal abscess. It first appeared 2 years ago, after I did some difficult lifting, and I was careless. It popped out, like you said, bean sized. I also went through the same trouble because I was practically immobile, and it was constantly bleeding.But alternative methods saved me. I suggest you to rub oil on it, in order to soften it and the hemorrhoid will remove itself. But the thing about it is that it’s recurrent and I still have problems every month or so. Just apply oil to it and stay still for a few days and it will pass.
Tips On Adding Fiber To Your Diet
- Add more fiber-rich foods such as fresh fruit, vegetables, and whole grains to your diet.
- Eat prunes, theyre a natural and mild laxative .
- Take a fiber supplement, such as psyllium husk. This adds bulk and softens bowel movements, so you dont have to strain.
- Add fiber to your daily diet slowly to help avoid gassiness.
- Staying hydrated is especially important if youre adding more fiber to your diet.
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Are You Dealing With Hemorrhoids Or Something More Serious
According to the American Cancer Society colon cancer is one of the third leading causes of deaths in the U.S. to date. As with most cancers, there are no real signs that the disease is there until it has reached a higher stage. Not to mention, many Americans look to the internet or the advice of others to provide them with a diagnosis.
On paper, colon cancer can often appear to be a bad case of hemorrhoids, which is why it is increasingly important to report unusual changes in your bowel movements to your doctor. Patients are encouraged to take a better safe than sorry approach when it comes to dealing with things as serious as the digestive system and bowel movements.
Staying informed is another method in which patients can use when it pertains to their health. Having a full understanding of what a particular disease or health condition is at its onset can help minimize the potential for misdiagnosis or self-treating for the wrong thing.
Hemorrhoids are common and not a serious condition. Generally speaking, they can be treated at home with over the counter natural hemorrhoids products or with some basic remedies. In most cases, the pain and discomfort associated with hemorrhoids goes away after a period of time.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids include: Itching or irritation near the rectal or anal area, discomfort when making bowel movements, pain or discomfort when sitting for too long, swelling or a lump near the anus, or the sight of blood in the stool.
Other Causes For Rectal Pain
Dr. Miller: Any other causes of rectal pain? I know that there’s one that is a spasm that occurs from time to time in some people.
Dr. Pickron: Some people get this kind of vague rectal pain, which as you mentioned is just kind of a spasm, it’s fairly poorly understood. There are some options for it such as physical therapy, biofeedback, but these can be challenging things to treat.
Dr. Miller: It comes on suddenly and then goes away over seconds to minutes, I think, sometimes.
Dr. Pickron: Yeah, usually happens in the middle of the night. People kind of wake up and they feel this intense pressure almost like a Charley horse in their rectum, which not a pleasant sensation.
Dr. Miller: Any other causes of pain?
Dr. Pickron: Those are primarily the big ones, infections, abscesses are fairly common and those are typically treated with surgical drainage.
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How Can I Treat Hemorrhoids At Home
While a case of the piles can disappear as quickly and randomly as it popped up, there are a few home remedies you can try to prevent future occurrences or help move things along if youre currently dealing with a flare-up.
For starters, put away your phone. If youre among the 75% of Americans who admit to using their phones while on the toilet, heed this warning: Your habit of scrolling through your social media feed while on the can may prolong your pushing and straining when you go number two. Its better to do your business and then be on your way.
Another preventive measure is to up your water intake and increase your fiber to keep your plumbing working properly. If youre really constipated, you can consider an over-the-counter laxative or stool softener as well.
For uncomfortable hemorrhoids, Schmaing suggests pain-relieving creams, witch hazel, warm sitz baths or moist towelettes to help soothe the affected area.
If these treatments are ineffective, a healthcare provider may be able to prescribe other creams or medications, she adds.
What To Think About
Sometimes, increased pressure on external hemorrhoids causes them to get irritated and to clot. This causes a lump to form. You may suffer from severe pain at the site of a clotted hemorrhoid.
A procedure to relieve the pain can be done in a doctor’s office or outpatient clinic. The doctor applies local anesthesia and then makes a small incision where the lump has occurred to remove the clot and reduce pressure and pain. The procedure works best if it is done soon after the clot has formed.
If the pain is tolerable, you may choose to wait to see a doctor. The pain usually goes away in a few days. After 4 or 5 days, the pain from cutting and draining the hemorrhoid is usually worse than the pain from the clot.
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How Do Healthcare Providers Treat Hemorrhoids
You should see your healthcare provider if symptoms get worse or interfere with your daily life or sleep. Also seek help if signs dont improve after a week of at-home treatments. Your provider may treat hemorrhoids with:
- Rubber band ligation: A small rubber band placed around the base of a hemorrhoid cuts off blood supply to the vein.
- Electrocoagulation: An electric current stops blood flow to a hemorrhoid.
- Infrared coagulation: A small probe inserted into the rectum transmits heat to get rid of the hemorrhoid.
- Sclerotherapy: A chemical injected into the swollen vein destroys hemorrhoid tissue.
Surgical treatments include:
- Hemorrhoidectomy: Surgery removes large external hemorrhoids or prolapsed internal ones.
- Hemorrhoid stapling: A stapling instrument removes an internal hemorrhoid. Or it pulls a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid back inside the anus and holds it there.
Bump On Side Of Anus: Hemorrhoids Or Something Else
Hi Alice,
This is sort of an embarrassing question…Recently I found out that there is something unusual just outside of my anus. It has grown like a pea. When I touch it, it is sort of hard but smooth, and it hurts a bit. What should I do? Is this like some kind of cancer?
â Bumpy peas
Dear Alice,
I have this problem and I am too embarrassed to ask a doctor about it. I am a nineteen-year-old male and have this growth in my anus. It popped up about one week ago. It is about the size of a pea. Could it be hemorrhoids? If not, what can it be? Should I be worried, and what should I do about it?
Thank you.Pea-Boy
Dear Bumpy peas and Pea-Boy,
Sounds like you have a situation that you won’t want to sit on. All kidding aside, there are a number of conditions that may fit your descriptions, which range from common and benign to more uncommon and serious . However, before you let your imagination get away from you, consulting a health care provider â who can see you in person â is the only way to diagnose the issue and prescribe any necessary treatment.
Other than hemorrhoids, there are several conditions that can cause similar small bumps to sprout near the anus:
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When To See A Hemorrhoid Specialist
Complications associated with hemorrhoids are rare, but its best to see a doctor if you exhibit any of the above symptoms for a prolonged period of time and are concerned you may have one of the aforementioned conditions. You should also see a doctor if you are experiencing blood during bowel movements. Dont assume that this bleeding is simply a sign of hemorrhoids, especially if you are over 40 years of age your bleeding could be a sign of something more dangerous, such as colorectal cancer. Call a hemorrhoid doctor at the first signs of pain or bleeding near the anus.
When To See The Doctor
Hemorrhoids usually just need home remedies and time to go away. If the symptoms persist for more than a couple of days or get worse, however, you should consult a doctor. If theres consistent blood appearing during bowel movements, it could be a sign of colon cancer or other bowel diseases like Crohns disease or ulcerative colitis.
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What Causes Colon Cancer And Hemorrhoids Do Hemorroids Lead To Colon Cancer
Colon Cancer Causes
Most colorectal cancers arise from adenomatous polyps. Such polyps are comprised of excess numbers of both normal and abnormal appearing cells in the glands covering the inner wall of the colon. Over time, these abnormal growths enlarge and ultimately degenerate to become adenocarcinomas.
People with certain genetic abnormalities develop what are known as familial adenomatous polyposis syndromes. Such people have a greater-than-normal risk of colorectal cancer. In these conditions, numerous adenomatous polyps develop in the colon, ultimately leading to colon cancer.
- There are specific genetic abnormalities found in the two main forms of familial adenomatous polyposis.
- The cancer usually occurs before age 40 years.
- Adenomatous polyposis syndromes tend to run in families. Such cases are referred to as familial adenomatous polyposis . Celecoxib has been FDA approved for FAP. After six months, celecoxib reduced the mean number of rectal and colon polyps by 28% compared to placebo 5%.
Another group of colon cancer syndromes, termed hereditary nonpolyposis colorectal cancer syndromes, also runs in families. In these syndromes, colon cancer develops without the precursor polyps.
HNPCC syndromes are sometimes linked to tumors in other parts of the body.
Other high risk factors for developing colon cancers include any one of the following:
- Ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s colitis
- Breast, uterine, or ovarian cancer now or in the past
- A family history of colon cancer
Pimple Or Pilonidal Cyst
A pilonidal cyst starts as a small sac or pocket of skin that has become clogged with oil and skin debris. If it becomes infected, a pilonidal cyst can become a painful abscess.
One way to distinguish a pilonidal cyst from an anal pimple is that a pilonidal cyst usually forms near the top of the crack in your buttocks, rather than lower down in or around the anus.
Several types of STDs, such as genital herpes, can cause pimple-like bumps to form around your anus and pubic area. These conditions are viruses and usually dont present as just one or two bumps.
Herpes often has other symptoms, such as fever and chills.
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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.
What Is The Treatment For Rectal Cancer
Surgery is likely to be the only necessary step in treatment if stage I rectal cancer is diagnosed.
The risk of the cancer coming back after surgery is low, and therefore, chemotherapy is not usually offered. Sometimes, after the removal of a tumor, the doctor discovers that the tumor penetrated into the mesorectum or that the lymph nodes contained cancer cells . In these individuals, chemotherapy and radiation therapy are offered after recovery from the surgery to reduce the chance of the cancer returning. Chemotherapy and radiation therapy given after surgery is called adjuvant therapy.
If the initial exams and tests show a person to have stage II or III rectal cancer, then chemotherapy and radiation therapy should be considered before surgery. Chemotherapy and radiation given before surgery is called neoadjuvant therapy. This therapy lasts approximately six weeks. Neoadjuvant therapy is performed to shrink the tumor so it can be more completely removed by surgery. In addition, a person is likely to tolerate the side effects of combined chemotherapy and radiation therapy better if this therapy is administered before surgery rather than afterward.
Medications
The following chemotherapy drugs may be used at various points during therapy:
Medications are available to alleviate the side effects of chemotherapy and antibody treatments. If side effects occur, an oncologist should be notified so that they can be addressed promptly.
Surgery
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Types Of Hemorrhoids And Associated Symptoms
Dr. Miller: While hemorrhoids aren’t the usual cause, as you pointed out, they’re both internal and external hemorrhoids, my understanding is that the external hemorrhoids can be painful.
Dr. Pickron: They certainly can. The most common thing we see when they are painful is a thrombosis, where you get a big blood clot with the pain and swelling.
Dr. Miller: Ouch. How do you treat that?
Dr. Pickron: Most of the time, we let them these reabsorb on their own. If patients come in within the first two or three days after the event happens, then there is some benefit to removing it surgically because they’ll get better faster, but usually once they’re kind of over the pain curve and their symptoms are getting better, then the pain and swelling will generally just take care of itself.
Why Do I Get Hemorrhoids
Have you heard that hemorrhoids are caused by sitting on a cold, wet surface? Or that you got them because you ate too much spicy food? Or that its a condition only older populations have to worry about? False, false and false again, Schmaing says.
The truth is that the exact method of hemorrhoid formation is unknown, she explains.
All that said, the experts do have some pretty good hunches about what may be triggering your latest flare-up. The most likely causes are increased pressure in your abdomen and pelvis, as well as a natural weakening of the body tissue surrounding your veins, which allows them to bulge.
Thats why hemorrhoids often occur in pregnant women, people who lift heavy objects like weightlifters and those who repeatedly push or strain to do their business, often due to constipation or diarrhea.
It also explains why many people think that piles are only a concern as you age. While its most common between the ages of 45 and 65, unfortunately, the reality is that you can get hemorrhoids at any age.
Even though what you eat or dont eat doesnt directly cause hemorrhoids, your diet can also play a huge role. For example, if you dont consume enough water or fiber, youre more likely to become constipated. With all that increased straining, well, you see how this all flushes out.
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How To Know When To Talk To Your Doctor
Medically reviewed by Dr. Lauren R. Wilson.
When Charlie’s Angels star Farrah Fawcett died of anal cancer in 2009, it put a spotlight on a disease that isn’t talked about much but has early symptoms similar to everyday hemorrhoids. Understanding the risk factors and the differences between anal cancer and hemorrhoids is critical to staying healthy. Here’s what you should know.
Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Why do I have hemorrhoids?
- Are there any lifestyle changes I can do that can relieve or prevent hemorrhoids?
- I saw blood on toilet paper. Is this serious?
- Are having hemorrhoids a sign of another health condition?
- Will I always have hemorrhoids?
- Is there medicine I can take for hemorrhoids? Are there side effects?
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Hemorrhoids Or Something Else So Soar
thatgirl over a year ago
Well this all started about a month ago, I think I had a hemorrhoid because I had some blood on the paper after wiping but no pain….now it’s been a few weeks since then and there is no more bleeding but it is SO soar it hurts to sit for too long and it just won’t go away. I do see a small piece of skin protruding out which I push back in but the pain inside won’t go away. Is this hemorrhoids or something else?
I am only 23 and eat healthy. I do work at a computer so am sitting down for most of the day . I have tried heat and cold packs, increasing fiber and using prep H but this has been going on for over a month and I’m starting to get worried.
Anyone else experience prolonged soarness like this or know what it could be and what I can do? Thanks.
over a year ago
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