Reasons Why You Should Seek Help For Your Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be alarming if you are unfamiliar with the condition. There is no reason to be concerned. While hemorrhoids can be maddeningly uncomfortable, they are not generally dangerous.
Hemorrhoids are very common and they can be caused by a range of factors from body weight to lifestyle. Fortunately, they are fairly easy to treat.
Most hemorrhoids will resolve with no treatment. Over-the-counter ointments or creams can be used to relieve any itching or discomfort. That being said, there are a few scenarios. However, if you are experiencing intense discomfort or frequent flare-ups you are going to want to enlist the help of a medical professional.
What Are Hemorrhoids?
A hemorrhoid is a small bundle of tissue and blood vessels that has become swollen and irritated. Hemorrhoids may form internally, just inside the rectum, or they may form externally, just outside the rectum. While internal hemorrhoids are generally relatively mild, hemorrhoids that form outside the rectum can cause a great deal of discomfort, especially when sitting.
What Causes Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids occur when the veins around your anus or lower rectum become swollen and inflamed. Activities or conditions that increase irritation or pressure on this delicate tissue can lead to the formation of hemorrhoids.
The most common cause of hemorrhoids:
Excessive Straining during bowel movements can put a great deal of pressure on the veins of the rectum resulting in irritation and swelling
Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk or spending too much time sitting on the toilet can cause pressure to build up in rectal veins leading to swelling and hemorrhoids
Frequent constipation or diarrhea can lead to irritation and straining, ultimately resulting in the formation of hemorrhoids.
Lifting heavy objects can cause excess pressure on blood vessels and hemorrhoidal tissue.
Risk Factors That Make Hemorrhoids More Likely
Hemorrhoids are fairly common, and many people will have experienced at least one flare-up by the time they reach middle age. Still, some people may never know the discomfort of this condition. So, why do some people develop hemorrhoids when others don’t? For the most part, who will and who will not develop hemorrhoids is often a matter of lifestyle and luck. However, there are a few factors that can increase your chances of developing this painful condition.
Excess Body Weight
Excess body weight puts extra strain on blood vessels and additional pressure on hemorrhoidal tissue.
Pregnancy
Hemorrhoids are common during the third trimester of pregnancy. During these final months of gestation, the baby is growing larger and heavier by the day. The baby is also positioned lower in the uterus as the body begins to prepare for birth, All of these factors greatly increase the likelihood of developing hemorrhoids during this period. I
Age
As we age the connective tissue that provides a structure around the hemorrhoidal tissue begins to weaken. This can allow blood to pool in the blood vessels causing them to become distended, resulting in a hemorrhoid flare-up.
Common Hemorrhoids Symptoms
Hemorrhoids do not always manifest in the same way. The symptoms that you experience will depend on the type of hemorrhoid. Internal hemorrhoids form inside the rectum and are generally painless. The only symptom that may alert you that you have an internal hemorrhoid may be small amounts of bright red blood on the toilet tissue after a bowel movement. Internal hemorrhoids can extend outside the rectum. This is known as a prolapsed hemorrhoid and they can be very uncomfortable. External and prolapsed hemorrhoids can produce a range of symptoms depending on the location, duration, and type of hemorrhoid.
You may experience:
Small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet paper after a bowel movement
Aching discomfort, sharp throbbing pain, and/or intense itchiness.
Generalized swelling in the anal area
A distinct, and often painful or itchy nodule located just outside the rectum lump outside the anus, which may be sensitive or painful, could be a hemorrhoid.
Some report feeling unable to completely empty their bowels during a bowel movement
While these are all common symptoms of hemorrhoids, they can also be symptoms of more serious problems. If symptoms persist or worsen you will need to visit your doctor for an examination and diagnosis.
Drugstore Treatments & Home Remedies
In most cases, you will be able to resolve your symptoms within a few days using simple home care remedies and over-the-counter medication from the local drugstore.
Hemorrhoid Ointment/Cream: These over-the-counter ointments generally contain a vasoconstrictor as their active ingredient. When applied topically to the swollen hemorrhoidal tissue, the cream eases irritation and shrinks distended blood vessels and swollen tissue.
Medicated Pads/Wipes: Cleansing wipes are similar to baby wipes, but these will be moistened with an astringent or menthol soothing medication to help ease discomfort.
Medicated Bath: Soaking in a warm Sitz bath for up to 20 minutes can help to reduce inflammation and ease symptoms
Increased Fiber Intake: Incorporate a high-fiber diet with plenty of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains to soften stools and promote regular bowel movements. Start slow and work your way up to 25 - 30 grams of fiber daily for maximum digestive health.
Ample H2O: The more hydrated you are the faster your body will heal. Stay hydrated; drinking adequate water throughout the day helps prevent constipation.
Bathroom Habits: Avoid straining during bowel movements. Don't delay going to the bathroom when you feel the urge.
Exercise: Engaging in regular gentle exercise, like walking, can reduce pressure on hemorrhoidal veins. While regular exercise is beneficial, be careful to avoid heavy lifting which can worsen hemorrhoids.
Know When it is Time to Seek Medical Help
If symptoms do not start to ease within 2 - 3 days, or if symptoms suddenly worsen you should see your doctor right away to rule out more serious conditions like colorectal cancer or rare but serious complications like those listed below.
Complications of Hemorrhoids
On rare occasions, hemorrhoids can become infected or you may develop complications that require medical care to resolve.
The following complication can develop if severe hemorrhoids are not resolved.
Thrombosed Hemorrhoid:
Hemorrhoids form as a result of blood pooling in distended blood vessels. Occasionally, this pooled blood can form a blood clot in one of the distended vessels. This is known as a Thrombosed Hemorrhoid. Thrombosed Hemorrhoids can be extremely painful and often require immediate medical intervention to correct.
Strangulated Hemorrhoid:
When the hemorrhoid becomes twisted or prolapsed in such a way that the blood supply to the tissue is severely restricted or cut-off completely the tissue can begin to die. This is known as a Strangulated Hemorrhoid, and this is a serious, and often very painful complication. Immediate medical intervention is required to ease pain and prevent further tissue death or damage.
Anemia:
Though extremely rare, an internal hemorrhoid that continues to steadily leak blood without resolving can lead to Anemia if left untreated. Anemia occurs when the body’s red blood cell count is no longer sufficient to supply oxygen to all of the body's organs and tissues. The result is extreme fatigue and weakness.
Infection:
If left untreated, a hemorrhoid can easily become infected, leading to serious health concerns that can spread to other systems of the body. These are all potentially serious complications. However, these risks can be greatly reduced by seeking medical care for hemorrhoids that do not resolve on their own within a few days.
Medical Interventions
If your hemorrhoid symptoms persist for longer than a few days it is time to seek medical treatment. Your doctor will perform an exam and may want to use a small flexible camera to examine the inside of the rectum and lower colon to look for signs of more serious conditions like colon polyps that could be an early indicator of colon cancer. Once your doctor is able to rule out more serious conditions and determine that you are dealing with a severe hemorrhoid condition, they may recommend more aggressive treatment. Depending on the severity of your current hemorrhoid problem, your doctor may be able to remove the hemorrhoid without surgery using one of these less-invasive treatment options.
Rubber band ligation: Tiny bands are placed around the base of a hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply.
Sclerotherapy: A chemical solution is injected into the hemorrhoid tissue to shrink it.
Infrared coagulation: Infrared light is used to cause the hemorrhoid to shrink.
These procedures can be done in an office visit and are generally effective at removing the current hemorrhoid, resolving the immediate issue. However, hemorrhoids can recur and the treatments may need to be repeated.
If a more permanent solution is desired, your doctor can perform a minor surgical procedure known as a Hemorrhoidectomy, to remove the problematic tissue resolving the current symptoms, and often preventing future problems.
While this is a relatively minor surgery, you should expect some post-operative discomfort and you will likely need to restrict your activity to some degree for up to a few weeks of recovery time. Your healthcare provider will be able to advise you on the best course of action to resolve your specific symptoms, including the pros and cons of each solution.
If you are suffering from recurring or persistent Hemorrhoid discomfort, don’t put your care off any longer. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Tamai today and start feeling better now!
