Who Is At Risk For External Hemorrhoids
If your parents have had hemorrhoids, you may be more likely to have them as well. Hemorrhoids may also be caused by pregnancy.
As we age, hemorrhoids can occur due to increased pressure caused by sitting a lot. And anything that causes you to strain during bowel movements can lead to external hemorrhoids.
If youre not sure what the cause of your hemorrhoids may be, your doctor might be able to determine why.
What Types Of Hemorrhoids Are There
- External hemorrhoids are near the opening of the anus. They may be painful, but home treatments usually work to control them.
- Internal hemorrhoids are inside the anal canal. They usually don’t cause pain. But they can itch, cause a feeling of pressure, and make it hard to clean around the anus. They may also bleed or leak mucus. Sometimes they stick out of the anus.
What Are The Treatments For Hemorrhoids
If at-home treatments for hemorrhoids don’t help you, you may need a medical procedure. There are several different procedures that your provider can do in the office. These procedures use different techniques to cause scar tissue to form in the hemorrhoids. This cuts off the blood supply, which usually shrinks the hemorrhoids. In severe cases, you may need surgery.
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What To Do If Your Dog Has Hemorrhoids
Because hemorrhoids can be easily confused with several other issues, like swollen and inflamed anal glands, tumors, fissures, or rectal prolapse, it is crucial to get confirmation from your veterinarian first.
Determining hemorrhoids in dogs can be a visual inspection of the dogs anal area or by keeping an eye on its stools and bowel movements for rectal bleeding. Hemorrhoids are itchy, and occasionally dogs will drag their hinds against carpets to satisfy the itch.
Dogs will lick the rectal area excessively in an attempt to gain relief from their symptoms as well.
Improper treatment of hemorrhoids can lead to the condition worsening. Once your veterinarian has confirmed that your dog has hemorrhoids, medications can be implemented.
Your veterinarian can assist you in changing your dog’s diet to include more fiber. Another critical aspect of prevention is to ensure that your dog is staying hydrated throughout the day.
There are plenty of home remedies that can be tested to your dogs preference. A cool bottle of witch hazel placed overnight in the fridge can aid in alleviating itching, burning, and pain.
Your vet will avoid surgery unless it is necessary. Hemorrhoid surgeries, while available as an option, put stress on an animal. Instead, veterinarians opt for topical hemorrhoid creams and diet changes to shrink hemorrhoids and prevent flare-ups.
How Are Bleeding Hemorrhoids Treated
A bleeding hemorrhoid is usually a sign of irritation or damage to the wall of the hemorrhoid. This should resolve on its own over time, but there are several things you can do at home to speed up the process and soothe any discomfort.
However, if there is no clear source of bleeding or if the bleeding doesnt go away within a week, see your doctor. Experts note that hemorrhoids are often self-diagnosed, which can be dangerous. Many medical conditions, including cancer and inflammatory bowel disease , can have similar symptoms. Its important to receive a proper diagnosis from your doctor.
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A Hemorrhoid Treatment That Really Works But Most Doctors W
over a year ago
Guest over a year ago
It is nice experience and nice talking, but the truth is that you can’t talk about hemorrhoids treatment like this is the unique treatment that can help everyone. Because it can’t.
I had issues with it and in the end of story I needed to go on the surgical table. This surgery was really traumatic for me because that was the first time in my life that I had some surgery. It went OK, they prepared me but my recovery lasted a little bit longer than I expected.
You can try some home treatments, you can try some medications as well, but I can guarantee that this is not for everyone and all those treatments might not help specific person.
nedclark118006 over a year ago
Guest over a year ago
over a year ago
Choosing A Doctor To Treat Your Hemorrhoids
December 22, 2017 by inx Medical
If you suffer from hemorrhoids, the good news is that lower grade hemorrhoids can resolve on their own with at-home treatments. But what if they get to the point where you need to see a doctor to treat them? How do you choose where to go and what doctor is right for you?
Heres what you should know about finding the right doctor for you:
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Why Do They Appear
There can be many reasons for the formation of hemorrhoids. Most often, a weakness in the connective tissue supporting veins in the anal canal is responsible for swelling of the veins.
One of the most common causes of hemorrhoids is too much straining while passing stools that may result in exerting too much pressure on the nerves in and around the rectum and may lead to internal hemorrhoids or piles.
A fuller list of possible causes appears below:
- Constipation: Constipation is one of the prime causes of hemorrhoids. Inability to pass the stool easily or exerting too much pressure during bowel movements can put pressure on the veins in the rectum and can cause hemorrhoids.
- Low-fiber diet: Diet that consists of fewer fibers may cause hemorrhoids. People who take a more fiber-rich diet are likely to suffer less from hemorrhoids. Low-fiber diets may lead to hardening of the stools and may result in straining during bowel movements leading to hemorrhoids in the future. People who are already suffering from hemorrhoids are advised to eat more fiber-rich foods like vegetables and fruits to help in the easy passing of bowel movements that can lessen the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
- Chronic diarrhea: Chronic diarrhea associated with irritable bowel syndrome may cause hemorrhoids. The continuous passing of stools may cause loss of elasticity of the rectal muscles and nerves and cause hemorrhoids.
How Are External Hemorrhoids Diagnosed
Because many of the symptoms of external hemorrhoids can also be caused by other conditions, it is necessary to have an in-depth exam. Your doctor may use a series of tests to confirm the presence of external hemorrhoids near the anus. These tests may include:
- proctoscopy
- anoscopy
Your doctor may begin with a physical exam. In cases of external hemorrhoids, they may be able to see the hemorrhoids.
If your doctor suspects that you have internal hemorrhoids instead of external hemorrhoids, they may use an anoscopy to examine the inside of the anus. Internal hemorrhoids can also be seen with colonoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or proctoscopy.
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Taking A Sitz Bath In The Bathtub
If youre taking a sitz bath in the bathtub, the first step is to clean the tub.
A plastic sitz bath kit fits over the toilet. Rinse the bath kit with clean water before using it. Then, add very warm but not hot water along with any medications or solutions recommended by your doctor.
Don’t Make Things Worse
Bump up the fiber. It softens your stools and makes them move through your body more easily. You’ll find it in beans, whole-grain breads and cereals, and fresh fruits and veggies. You may also want to try a supplement if you can’t get enough from foods. Add fiber slowly to help avoid gas and bloating.
Drink lots of fluids. Stay well hydrated to keep stools soft so they’re easier to pass. Water is the best choice. Drink plenty throughout the day. Prune juice is a natural laxative and can help you go.
Exercise regularly. Even brisk walking 20-30 minutes every day can help keep you from getting stopped up.
Breathe! Keep the air moving in and out when you’re working hard. It’s common to hold your breath as you’re pushing, pulling, or making an effort — and that can lead to hemorrhoid pain and bleeding.
Use a pillow. Sit on a cushion instead of a hard surface. It will ease swelling for any hemorrhoids you have. It may also help prevent new ones from forming.
Take breaks. If you must sit for a long time, get up every hour and move around for at least 5 minutes.
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Treatment For Hemorrhoids In Children
1. Make dietary changes. One of the most important ways to treat hemorrhoids is to deal with the root cause, which almost always is constipation.
Usually, pediatric hemorrhoids are caused by constipation or persistent hard stools, which can be a result of diets heavy in carbohydrates, low fiber and dehydration, says Siddiqui. The longer stool sits in the rectum, the harder and dryer it becomes, and harder stools can cause the blood vessels to enlarge in the area of the rectum.
According to Siddiqui, its important to make sure your child is drinking plenty of fluids and eating a diet high in fiber, which can prevent constipation.
If your child is already constipated, prune or pear juice diluted with water can also help, she says.
2. Run a warm bath. Warm baths can be the cure for many common kid complaints, and hemorrhoids are no exception.
A good way to alleviate the pain that can accompany hemorrhoids is to soak the rectum area in warm water, says Siddiqui. You can also use warm water paper towels on the area, alternating with cool compresses.
According to the Mayo Clinic, soaking the area once or twice a day for 10 to 15 minutes can reduce the discomfort and treat inflammation and swelling.
3. Avoid wipes with alcohol. According to Siddiqui, parents should use non-alcohol wipes on children if they have hemorrhoids.
Wipes that contain alcohol or perfumes may aggravate the condition, she says.
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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What Do Hemorrhoids Look Like
The appearance of hemorrhoids can vary, and sometimes they cannot be seen without an internal examination. Generally, thrombosed hemorrhoids protrude from the anus as a dark bluish lump. The color is due to a blood clot inside a blood vessel. Non-thrombosed piles, however, lack this color and look more like a rubbery lump at the anal verge.
What Causes External Hemorrhoids
The most common cause of external hemorrhoids is repeated straining while having a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids develop when the veins of the rectum or anus become dilated or enlarged and can be either internal or external. External hemorrhoids are usually found beneath the skin that surrounds the anus.
There is a range of symptoms that can affect a person with hemorrhoids. Symptoms tend to vary depending on the severity of your hemorrhoids. Some of the symptoms that you may have include the following:
- itching around the anus or rectal area
- pain around the anus
- blood in the stool
You may notice bleeding when using the bathroom. This includes seeing blood on toilet paper or in the toilet. Lumps around the anus may feel as if they are swollen.
These symptoms may also occur because of other conditions. But if you experience these symptoms, you should schedule an exam with your doctor.
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Symptoms Of Dog Hemorrhoids
The occurrence of hemorrhoids is substantially similar between dogs and humans. Both tend to be present and cause flare-ups for older adults and older dogs. Pregnancy is also a contributor for hemorrhoid symptoms because of the additional pressure placed on the lower rectum.
Rectal bleeding can occur in dogs and humans. This can happen directly following the passage of stools, which are typically hard and lack moisture. Blood can also be present in the stools themselves.
Dogs can experience a range of symptoms brought on by hemorrhoids:
- Itchiness
- Discomfort or pain
- A stinging pain
Fortunately, because hemorrhoids are common in dogs, there are many methods of treatments for relieving symptoms.
First and foremost, however, as a pet owner, you should seek the official diagnosis from your veterinarian.
Hemorrhoids frequently are confused with tumors, anal gland blockage, gland inflammation, and other issues. Unlike humans, hemorrhoids in dogs can be a result of another intestinal problem.
After having your dog examined to determine if it does have hemorrhoids, you and your vet can move on to deciding which method of hemorrhoid treatment is most appropriate.
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.
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What Is Stapled Hemrroidectomy
The following are pictures of the stapled hemorrhoidectomy procedure.
- Picture of Hollow Tube Inserted into the Anal Canal and Pushing up the Hemorrhoids
- Picture of Internal Hemorrhoids in Anal Canal
- Picture of Suturing the Anal Canal through the Hollow Tube
- Picture of Bringing Expanded Hemorrhoidal Supporting Tissue into the Hollow Tube by pulling On Suture
- Picture of Hemorrhoids Pulled Back Above Anal Canal after Stapling and Removal of Hemorrhoidal Supporting Tissue
Why Are Internal Prolapsed Hemorrhoids At A Greater Risk Of Becoming Thrombosed
Whether internal or external, if your hemorrhoid is prolapsed it is at a greater risk of becoming thrombosed. When outside the anus the hemorrhoids blood supply can be cut off or limited by the anal sphincter limiting blood flow.
Since thrombosis occurs as a result of a lack of blood flow, these types of hemorrhoids are particularly susceptible to this painful condition.
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How Can I Treat My Hemorrhoids
You can most often treat your hemorrhoids at home by
- taking a stool softener or a fiber supplement such as psyllium or methylcellulose
- drinking water or other nonalcoholic liquids each day as recommended by your health care professional
- not straining during bowel movements
- not sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
- taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, naproxen, or aspirin
- sitting in a tub of warm water, called a sitz bath, several times a day to help relieve pain
Applying over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or ointments or using suppositoriesa medicine you insert into your rectummay relieve mild pain, swelling, and itching of external hemorrhoids. Most often, doctors recommend using over-the-counter products for 1 week. You should follow up with your doctor if the products
- do not relieve your symptoms after 1 week
- cause side effects such dry skin around your anus or a rash
Most prolapsed internal hemorrhoids go away without at-home treatment. However, severely prolapsed or bleeding internal hemorrhoids may need medical treatment.
Improving Your Diet And Lifestyle
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