Ok Google What Are 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:

• Rectal bleeding.

Treatments For Hemorrhoids Vs Rectal Prolapse

Treatments for hemorrhoids

More severe cases of hemorrhoids may require surgery. Your doctor may recommend treating milder cases of hemorrhoids with the following at-home remedies, including:

• Sit in a bathtub full of plain, warm water several times per day.
• Place ice packs on the hemorrhoids to help with swelling.
• Apply hemorrhoid creams or inserting suppositories.
• Add more fiber to your diet.
• Take stool softeners.

Treatments for rectal prolapse

Treatments for rectal prolapse usually focus on preventing constipation and straining. Kegel exercises and stool softeners can also help. Rectal prolapse will sometimes go away on its own. However, severe cases of rectal prolapse may require surgery, such as:

• Repair can be made through the abdomen to attach the rectum to the backbone to keep it in place.
• Repair can be made through the rectum to remove the prolapsed section.
• Some repairs combine both techniques through the abdomen and rectum.

Talk to your doctor about whether you have hemorrhoids and rectal prolapse so you can get the right treatment and relieve your pain and discomfort.

How Can I Treat Hemorrhoids At Home

Hemorrhoids often go away on their own without treatment. Symptoms like pain and bleeding may last one week or slightly longer. In the meantime, you can take these steps to ease symptoms:

• Apply over-the-counter medications containing lidocaine, witch hazel or hydrocortisone to the affected area.
• Drink more water.
• Increase fiber intake through diet and supplements. Try to obtain at least 20-35 grams of daily fiber intake
• Soak in a warm bath for 10 to 20 minutes a day.
• Soften stool by taking laxatives.
• Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for pain and inflammation.
• Use toilet paper with lotion or flushable wet wipes to gently pat and clean your bottom after pooping. You can also use a tissue or washcloth moistened with water.

Also Check: How To Relieve Itchy Hemorrhoids

Increasing Your Fibre Intake

You can gradually increase the amount of fibre in your diet by eating foods including:

• fresh fruit and vegetables

Commercial fibre supplements are also available and can be useful if you think you are not getting enough of the above foods in your diet.

Make sure you increase your fibre gradually so your digestive system has time to adapt.

Its also important to increase your fluid intake at the same time. This is because fibre in the stools acts like a sponge, absorbing moisture from the body. Try to drink lots of water. Cutting down on sugary drinks will also help you to cut down on calories that cause weight gain.

Procedures For Hemorrhoids Treatment

Some hemorrhoids can’t be managed with conservative treatments alone, either because symptoms persist or because an internal hemorrhoid has prolapsed. Fortunately, a number of minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatments are available that are less painful than traditional hemorrhoid removal and allow a quicker recovery. These procedures are generally performed in a surgeon’s office or as outpatient surgery in a hospital.

Band it. The most commonly used hemorrhoid treatment in the United States is rubber band ligation, in which a small elastic band is placed around the base of a hemorrhoid . The band causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and the surrounding tissue to scar as it heals, holding the hemorrhoid in place. It takes two to four procedures, done six to eight weeks apart, to completely eliminate the hemorrhoid. Complications, which are rare, include mild pain or tightness , bleeding, and infection. Other office procedures include laser or infrared coagulation, sclerotherapy, and cryosurgery. They all work on the same principle as rubber band ligation but are not quite as effective in preventing recurrence. Side effects and recurrence vary with the procedure, so consult your physician about what’s best for your situation.

Image: LuisPortugal/Getty Images

Also Check: What Do Hemorrhoids Come From

When Do I Need To See A Health Care Provider For Hemorrhoids

You should see your health care provider if you:

• Still have symptoms after 1 week of at-home treatment
• Have bleeding from your rectum. Hemorrhoids are a common cause of bleeding, but other conditions can also cause bleeding. They include Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, colorectal cancer, and . So it’s important to see your provider to find the cause of the bleeding.

Clinical Evaluation Of Hemorrhoids

The most common manifestation of hemorrhoids is painless rectal bleeding associated with bowel movement, described by patients as blood drips into toilet bowl. The blood is typically bright red as hemorrhoidal tissue has direct arteriovenous communication. Positive fecal occult blood or anemia should not be attributed to hemorrhoids until the colon is adequately evaluated especially when the bleeding is atypical for hemorrhoids, when no source of bleeding is evident on anorectal examination, or when the patient has significant risk factors for colorectal neoplasia.

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What Are Other Hemorrhoid Treatment Options For People With Diabetes

Other options for patients with diabetes include astringents, protectants, and topical anesthetics to include:

• Anesthetics relieve the sensation of pain and burning by blocking sensation in areas where they are placed for a short period. Anesthetics should be used externally on the perianal area because this is where the nerve endings are most concentrated. Active ingredients often found in local anesthetics include benzocaine ,dibucaine , lidocaine ,pramoxine and tetracaine .
• Astringents cause the tissues overlying the hemorrhoids to dry and provide relief from burning and itching but not from pain. Witch hazel is recommended for external use, providing temporary relief of itching, discomfort, irritation and burning. Zinc oxide and calamine also act as astringents.
• Protectants form a physical barrier over the skin and mucous membranes, thereby decreasing inflammation and preventing water loss. Recommended protectants include aluminum hydroxide gel, cocoa butter, glycerin in aqueous solution , lanolin, mineral oil, zinc oxide, calamine, and topical starch.

Surgery For External Hemorrhoids

When surgery is warranted, most external hemorrhoids are surgically cut out or excised. This is called a hemorrhoid excision.

Alternatively, an incisional hemorrhoidectomy may be performed for a thrombosed external hemorrhoid. With this type of surgery, a cut is made over the skin of the hemorrhoid. Just the clot is removed.

An incisional hemorrhoidectomy is less likely to be successful if a patient has been experiencing pain for more than 48 hours. In addition, if the incision is too small, blood can reaccumulate and form another clot inside the hemorrhoid.

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Hemorrhoid Treatment In A Doctors Office With Or Without Surgery

Medical procedures may be needed for hemorrhoids that dont go away with home treatments.

Painful external hemorrhoids can be excised during an office visit following a shot of local anesthetic to numb the area.

For internal hemorrhoids, a few office procedures may be considered. In rubber band ligation, the most common hemorrhoid procedure performed in the United States, the doctor places a small rubber band around the base of the hemorrhoid, cutting off the hemorrhoid’s blood supply. The hemorrhoid typically shrinks and falls off within about a week, though several quick follow-up visits may be required to completely get rid of the hemorrhoid.

Other procedures include sclerotherapy, in which a chemical injected into the hemorrhoid causes scar tissue to form, shrinking the hemorrhoid and infrared coagulation, in which an intense beam of infrared light causes the scar tissue to form, cutting off the blood supply and shrinking the hemorrhoid.

If you have a large external hemorrhoid, both internal and external hemorrhoids, or an internal hemorrhoid thats prolapsed , a surgical operation called a hemorrhoidectomy may be necessary, though few patients require this procedure.

Another option that aims to reduce postoperative pain is a stapled hemorrhoidopexy, in which a device pulls the hemorrhoidal tissue upward and to its normal position, stapling it in place.

When Should I See My Doctor

Haemorrhoids often go away without any treatment. However, if you notice blood when you have a bowel motion, it is important to get checked out by a doctor, to make sure your symptoms are not a sign of something more serious. The symptoms of haemorrhoids can be very similar to those of bowel cancer.

Tell your doctor if you have noticed:

• blood or mucus in your stools
• changes in your bowel habits or movements
• changes in the colour of your stools
• recent weight loss

Also Check: The Difference Between Hemorrhoids And Colon Cancer

What Are The Different Types Of Hemorrhoids

Unfortunately, for those wondering how long hemorrhoids last, there is no set timeline for when they clear up. Most of the time, symptoms go away after a few days, even without treatment.1 However, if symptoms do not improve after a week of home care, you should speak with your doctor.2

If youve been asking yourself, How long do internal hemorrhoids last, the answer depends entirely on the severity of the hemorrhoid. A Grade 1 hemorrhoid is considered minor but Grade 2, 3, and 4 hemorrhoids protrude outside the body and may require medical attention. These are the different grades of hemorrhoids:

• Grade 1 = Hemorrhoids that are visible but dont prolapse.
• Grade 2 = These are hemorrhoids that do prolapse during the Valsalva maneuver, but then will naturally reduce. The Valsalva maneuver refers to when you are doing exercise routines and you hold your breath while you push to exhale, which can make hemorrhoid pain worse.
• Grade 3 = Hemorrhoids that will prolapse during the Valsalva maneuver, but require a manual reduction.
• Grade 4 = Hemorrhoids that are not reducible and will require medical attention.5

External hemorrhoids that have thrombosed, or clotted and become hard, can be very painful. Without medical help, the pain will typically improve over two to three days.4

What Causes Hemorrhoids

Traditionally, hemorrhoids are associated with chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, and prolonged sitting on the toilet all of which interfere with blood flow to and from the area, causing it to pool and enlarge the vessels. This also explains why hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy, when the enlarging uterus presses on the veins.

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Beans Lentils And Nuts

You’ll get a lot of bang for your bite with the legume family. Just 1/2 cup of beans — such as kidney, navy, lima, or black beans — will cover about a third of your daily goal. It will have between 7 and 10 grams of fiber , depending on which variety you choose.

About 20 almonds or pecans have around 3 grams of fiber. A 1/2 cup of edamame does, too, and it only has about half the calories.

Instead of using just meat in chili and soups, add or substitute beans. You can also use beans and nuts in salads. Try Indian and Middle Eastern recipes, which often call for beans, lentils, and peas.

Severity Of Ruptured Hemorrhoids

Once the hemorrhoid bursts, an immediate care should be provided as to follow the steps:

• Gentle compression using clean soft cloths or sanitary napkins to stop the bleeding.
• Apply cold compression or cold sitz bath to reduce the inflammation and to stop the bleeding.

If per rectal bleeding persists and the following symptoms develop: palpitation, dizziness, faintness and cold hands and/or feet, an immediate medical attention must be obtained.

Also Check: What To Do For Hemorrhoids When Pregnant

Fast Facts On Dumping Syndrome:

• The condition most commonly occurs in people who have undergone gastric surgery.
• Symptoms typically present within 30 minutes of eating.
• Treatment can largely be managed through lifestyle and dietary changes.

In healthy individuals, food moves from the stomach into the intestines over the course of several hours. With dumping syndrome, however, food particles are not stored in the stomach for long enough and are emptied into the duodenum too quickly.

Early dumping syndrome is caused by the sudden arrival of a large amount of food in the stomach. This leads to the rapid movement of fluid into the intestine, which causes discomfort, bloating, and diarrhea.

Late dumping syndrome results from the body releasing a large amount of insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps the body absorb the sugars released from food. An increased level of insulin in the bloodstream leads to low blood sugar.

The most common cause of dumping syndrome is surgery, with the condition arising in at least 15 percent of people who have part of their stomach removed.

The following types of surgery increase the risk of dumping syndrome:

Some people may not develop dumping syndrome until years after surgery.

Can Hemorrhoids Be Prevented

You can help prevent hemorrhoids by:

• Eating foods that are high in fiber
• Taking a stool softener or a fiber supplement
• Drinking enough fluids every day
• Not straining during bowel movements
• Not sitting on the toilet for long periods of time

NIH: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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How Are Hemorrhoids Treated

Your healthcare provider will create a care plan for you based on:

• Your age, overall health, and past health
• How serious your case is
• Whether you have internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, or both
• How well you handle certain medicines, treatments, or therapies
• If your condition is expected to get worse
• What you would like to do

The main goal of treatment is to reduce your symptoms. This may be done by:

• Sitting in plain, warm water in a bathtub several times a day
• Using ice packs to reduce swelling
• Using hemorrhoid creams or medicines inserted into your rectum

Your healthcare provider may also suggest that you add more fiber and fluids to your diet to help soften your stools. Having softer stools means you don’t have to strain during bowel movements. This reduces the pressure on your hemorrhoids.

Adding more fiber to your diet means eating more:

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider:

Essential Orgs For Hemorrhoid Information

This site provides a comprehensive review of what hemorrhoids are, what causes them, and how to treat them. In cases when pain is severe and hemorrhoids aren’t healing with at-home treatment, in-office treatment by a healthcare provider is necessary. This can involve surgical and nonsurgical options.

The Mayo Clinic offers trusted guidance on symptoms, causes, diagnosis, and treatment of hemorrhoids. You can also find answers to specific questions about home remedies and hemorrhoid treatment during pregnancy.

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How Are Haemorrhoids Treated

Mild symptoms may go away after a few days without any special treatment. In most cases your doctor will recommend measures to relieve constipation if you have it.

If your haemorrhoids are causing you pain or discomfort, ask your doctor or chemist about medicated creams or ointments that may ease your symptoms.

How Can I Treat Hemorrhoids If I Have Diabetes

Some medications used to treat hemorrhoids can have negative effects on blood glucose levels, and thus, may cause physical problems for individuals with diabetes who are taking diabetes medications. There are options for patients with diabetes, who also suffer from painful hemorrhoids.

Some simple treatments for hemorrhoids in patients with diabetes are as follows:

• Eat plenty of high-fiber foods including bran, fresh fruits and vegetables. Psyllium-containing products also may be used to add fiber to the diet.
• Avoid straining during defecation or sitting on the toilet for a prolonged period of time. In general, do not sit for prolonged periods of time. Ice compresses may ease the swelling.
• Sitting in warm water for approximately 15 minutes at a time may ease the symptoms. Adding Epsom salt to the water helps relieve the inflammation. Sitz baths taken several times a day will also provide a soothing effect.
• Avoid any foods or drinks that seem to make the discomfort from hemorrhoids worse.
• If you have diabetes, do not use over-the-counter products that contain a vasoconstrictor . This includes Preparation H. Although it does not contain phenylephrine, Preparation H hydrocortisone 1% itch contains hydrocortisone-a steroid that can cause the blood sugar to rise if absorbed in large amounts.

Read Also: Foods To Avoid For Hemorrhoids

Diagnosis For Hemorrhoids Vs Rectal Prolapse

Diagnosis for hemorrhoids

Doctors typically diagnose hemorrhoids by performing a physical exam and asking you about your symptoms. They may also request additional testing like:

• Digital rectal examination : The doctor covers their hand with a lubricated glove, then inserts their finger inside your rectum to check for issues.
• Sigmoidoscopy: The doctor looks at part of your large intestine with a small, flexible, lighted tube that blows air into your rectum so that it swells.
• Coloscopy: This test lets the doctor see the entire length of your large intestine, which allows them to check for abnormal growths, red or swollen tissue, ulcers, or any bleeding.

Diagnosis for rectal prolapse

In addition to performing a physical exam, your doctor may request the following tests when checking for rectal prolapse:

• Videofecogram: An x-ray is taken while you have a bowel movement.
• Anorectal manometry: The doctor places a tube that measures the pressure inside your rectum to determine the level of contraction in the muscles responsible for bowel movements.
• Barium enema: The doctor places a contrast solution inside your rectum before taking x-rays.

When Do Hemorrhoids Require Medical Intervention

Your hemorrhoids can be an embarrassing topic to discuss with anyone, even your doctor. But hemorrhoids are common and affect 5% of adults in the United States every year, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Its estimated, in fact, that as many as three in four adults will experience problems with hemorrhoids at some point in their lives.

Though you can find many treatments for hemorrhoids at your local pharmacy, home remedies dont help everyone. At Rivas Digestive Center, located in Hollywood, Florida, our expert gastroenterologist, Dr. John Rivas, wants you to know when its time to get medical help for your hemorrhoids.

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