Hemorrhoids or piles are nothing but the veins near the rectum and anus that get swollen and cause pain, due to constant pressure during bowel movement, especially in constipation.
When they are found externally on the edge of the anus in the form of a painful lump, then they are referred to as external hemorrhoids.
If they are present inside the rectum, then they are called internal hemorrhoids.
Sometimes, the hemorrhoids stretch out of the anus and can be pushed back inside. Such hemorrhoids are known as prolapsed hemorrhoids.
It is reported that hemorrhoids are found in 75% of people at some point in their lives. It is equally found in both men and women between the age groups of 45 to 60 years of age.
The hemorrhoids can be located externally or internally to the anus.
In the case of internal hemorrhoids, they are located inside the rectum and protrude out because of straining during bowel movement.
In the case of external hemorrhoids, they are present around the anus and any strain or irritation causes them to bleed resulting in blood clot formation which causes pain and swelling in the area.
The symptoms of hemorrhoids include;
Hemorrhoids are caused due to increased pressure in the lower rectum. When you are suffering from conditions like constipation, there is excess strain that is applied for bowel movement. This results in the formation of hemorrhoids.
In case you are sitting for too long on the toilet seat, this also causes increased pressure in the rectal area, leading to the formation of hemorrhoids.
The other reasons that may cause hemorrhoids are;
Historians believe that the Great French General, Napoleon Bonaparte suffered from hemorrhoids. On the day of the Waterloo, he had intense pain due to hemorrhoids that made him delay the attack, and later when he did, the weather changed for the worst. He also had to ride on a side-saddle to avoid pain due to hemorrhoids.
Ultimately, the culprit behind Napoleon’s defeat at Waterloo is said to be the hemorrhoids. Fortunately, in today’s times, you can certainly defeat hemorrhoids by taking all the preventive measures and necessary treatment advised by your doctor.
It is advised that you eat foods with high fibre content that soften the stools like whole grains, vegetables and fruits. This will reduce the straining during bowel movements and thus prevent hemorrhoid formation.
You must also make sure that you drink 6 to 8 glasses of water or fruit juices daily to keep the stools soft.
Over the counter fibre supplements like Citrucel and Metamucil help keep the stools soft.
Avoid using laxatives.
Try not to put too much strain or holding your breath while passing stools.
Exercising daily is a must as it keeps off unhealthy weight which is one of the causes of hemorrhoids.
The doctor does a physical examination of the rectum and anus to check for external hemorrhoids.
To look for internal hemorrhoids, the doctor would insert his rubber-gloved finger into the anus and feel for internal hemorrhoids.
To view the rectum, an anascope is used which is a tube with a light at its end.
A colonoscopy can also be performed which is a procedure in which a thin flexible tube with a camera at its end is passed from the anus into the rectum and colon. The images taken of the rectum and colon by this procedure are studied by the doctor for any abnormalities. To view the colon in the X-ray, barium is inserted into the colon in the form of enema ( liquids passed through the anus) which helps to dye the colon and make it more visible to the doctor.
In a procedure known as sigmoidoscopy, a thin flexible tube with a camera at its end is passed into the sigmoid colon (lower part of the colon) to take images of it to check for any abnormalities.
Here are few treatments for hemorrhoids mentioned below:
