What You Should Know About Hemorrhoids
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:
External hemorrhoids feels like a small lump and is very sensitive to the touch. Just like the name, the hemorrhoids are located outside of the rectum where it can usually be itchy and irratating and is more painful than internal hemorrhoids.
Internal Hemorrhoids:
Compared to external hemorrhoids, internal hemorrhoids usually don't hurt at all. Just as external hemorrhoids are found on the outside of the rectum, internal are found in the inside of the anus and on occasions may bleed. Blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet after bowel movement are common symptoms of internal hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoid Symptoms:
Blood on the toilet paper or blood in the toilet after bowel movement is the most common symptoms of hemorrhoids. The main symptoms of external hemorrhoids can be detected by irritation and painful swelling around the rectum. Around the anus area you may also find sensitive lumps. A symptom of internal hemorrhoids is an odd itch inside your anus.
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.
There are certain toilet habits that will also help with avoiding hemorrhoids. Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time such as reading (which is an unhealthy habit) could cause straining. So try to get the "job" done within five minutes without reading.
If your job requires you to sit for long periods of time, make sure you try to get up and walk around for five minutes per every hour. This advice will help you immensely because exercising and moving around is also a good hemorrhoid prevention.
Hemorrhoid Treatment:
There are two types of treatment, natural home treatment and surgery. The best treatment for you is based on the nature of your hemorrhoid. 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.
Using ice packs is another way to reduce hemorrhoid swelling and will also numb the area for pain.
Applying creams with a natural astringent called witch hazel around the effected area can help with irritation.
Surgery is performed in extreme cases such as multiple hemorrhoids, if the hemorrhoid persists, or if it is too painful.
Rubber band ligation is a common form of uncomplicated hemorrhoid treatment. The blood flow is cut off by a rubber band that is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid inside the anus causing the hemorrhoid to shrivel and wither away in a few days.
A surgery that is used for smaller hemorrhoids is called Infrared Coagulations which can be used on external and internal hemorrhoids. Infrared light is used in this procedure to burn off the hemorrhoids.
An injection therapy called Sclerotherapy is a type of surgery used to cure small internal hemorrhoids. By injecting a hardening agent that causes loss of circulation will send the hemorrhoid shriveling.