Swollen veins that are found in the rectum or anus are called hemorrhoids. The strain during bowel movement can result in the swelling. The other factors that can cause increased pressure in the rectum are pregnancy, chronic constipation and diarrhea. There are external hemorrhoids and internal hemorrhoids.

External Hemorrhoids:

Swollen veins outside of the rectum are called external hemorrhoids. It feels like a small lump and is very sensitive to the touch. They are usually itchy and irratating and is also more painful than internal hemorrhoids.

Internal Hemorrhoids:

Internal hemorrhoids don’t normally hurt and compared to external hemorrhoids they don’t hurt at all. As external hemorrhoids are found on the outside, internal hemorrhoids are found in the inside of the anus and may bleed on occasions. You may sometimes see blood in the toilet or on your toilet paper after bowel movement from internal hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoid Symptoms:

The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids are blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet after a bowel movement. Irritation and painful swelling around the rectum are the the most common symptoms of external hemorrhoids. You may also find sensitive lumps around the area of the anus. An odd itch inside of your rectum is a symptom of internal hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoid Prevention:

The right diet is essential in preventing hemorrhoids. Drinking lots of water will soften the stool to ease the strain during bowel movement. Eating alot of processed foods is unhealthy. In order to increase your chances in preventing hemorrhoids, you need to eat more foods such as bran, fruit and vegetable.

Certain toilet habits can cause hemorrhoids such as reading while your on the toilet because sitting on the porcelain bowl for long periods of time can cause straining. Try to get the “job” done without reading.

Another good hemorrhoid prevention is exercising and moving around. If you have a jobe that requires you to sit for long periods of time, make sure you get up every hour and take a five minute break to walk around.

Hemorrhoid Treatment:

The best treatment for you is based on the nature of your hemorrhoid. There are two types of treatment, natural home treatment and surgery. Both treatments are effective.

To reduce the swelling and to ease some of the pain from the hemorrhoid, you would use the natural home hemorrhoid treatments.

Sitting in a tub of warm water called a sitz bath for ten minutes a few times a day is a great hemorrhoid treatment to treat both swelling and pain.

Another way to reduce hemorrhoid swelling is using ice packs which will also numb to area for pain.

Applying creams with a natural astringent called witch hazel around the effected area can help with irritation.

When the hemorrhoid is too painful, if the hemorrhoid persist, or in extreme cases, surgery is performed.

A common form of uncomplicated hemorrhoid treatment is called rubber band ligation. It’s basically a rubber band that is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid inside the rectum. The blood flow will be cut off from the hemorrhoid causing it to deteriorate and wither away within a few days.

For smaller hemorrhoids that are either internal or external a surgery called infrared coagulation is performed. In this procedure infrared light is used to burn off the hemorrhoids.

Another type of surgery used on hemorrhoids is an injection therapy called Sclerotherapy. This form of treatment is used to cure small internal hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoid is sent shriveling by injecting a hardening agent that causes loss of circulation.

Tags: Health

Popularity: 1% [?]

Share This