Hemorrhoids

What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids or haemorrhoids (Australia), can be a very uncomfortable condition that affects most people at least once during their life. They occur from the straining of blood vessels around the rectum resulting in the inflammation of the veins around the anus and/or in the rectum.

The two types of hemorrhoids are internal and external.

• Internal hemorrhoids are often not felt. Sometimes however, the internal hemorrhoid is large enough to be pushed out of the rectum during stool movements, these are called prolapsed hemorrhoids. Sometimes prolapsed hemorrhoids will retract back into the colon by themselves after stool movement and other times the sufferer is able to push the hemorrhoids back into the rectum themselves.
• External haemorrhoids are generally clearly visible around the anus and can be felt. These are generally the more uncomfortable of the two types.

Hemorrhoids Symptoms

Bleeding or bright red blood on stools, in the toilet bowl or on toilet paper are usually a good indicator of hemorrhoids as are the inflamed veins around the anus, itching, burning, pain and hard lumps. Hard painful lumps around the anus are a good indication of blood clot formation, this is called thrombosed hemorrhoids.

These symptoms along with the actual hemorrhoids should go away within a few days but if they do not seek medical advice because they could be an indicator of a more serious problem.

Hemorrhoids Treatment

Hemorrhoids, particularly those that don’t cause discomfort will often go away by themselves. One should wash the anal area gently with warm water ensuring it is thoroughly but gently cleansed. After washing, the area should also be gently dried.

If hemorrhoids are not serious, relief with hemorrhoid cream or other suppository of some sort will suffice, gently treating the hemorrhoids or at least easing the uncomfortable symptoms.

More extreme measures of treatment depending on the types of hemorrhoids include

• Hemorrhoids surgery, where the hemorrhoid is removed through a procedure called hemorrhoidectomy.
• Infrared coagulation to burn the hemorrhoids away
• Placement of a rubber band around the hemorrhoid to cut of circulation to the hemorrhoid and thus eliminating it (Rubber band ligation).

Natural Hemorrhoids treatment

As hemorrhoids are often not serious, natural and gentle approaches can be employed in treating them and their symptoms

• Applying an ice pack to the anal area should ease the pain and itching associated with hemorrhoids
• Topical creams used for treatment and symptom relief can be made of all natural ingredients
• Squatting position may ease the passing of the stool putting less pressure on the hemorrhoids and veins in the rectum area
• Adding more fiber to the diet will help stools pass through the rectum with more ease

Hemorrhoids Prevention

They say prevention is the best cure and once you have suffered from hemorrhoids you will most likely agree. Since hemorrhoids are generally the result of stools having difficulty passing through the rectum, easing the passage is the best way to prevent hemorrhoids.

• Fiber is always touted as a necessity for keeping us regular and making sure that the stools travelling through our bodies are soft and easy on the rectum
• Exercise is also another great way of ensuring a safe and gentle passage of stools

Misspelling of Hemorrhoids include: haemorroids, hemeroids, haemorhoids and hemroids, haemmoroids