What Do Hemorrhoids Look Like and how to Treat Them
What Do Hemorrhoids Look Like and how to Treat Them
Contrary to what you may believe, hemorrhoids is a condition that half the people across the world suffer from. Read on to know more about hemorrhoids, what they look like and what forms of treatment are available.
What are Hemorrhoids?
For people across the world, pain in the rectal outlet or the anal canal (anus) is a common problem but they are too shy to discuss this issue even with a doctor. About half the people from America suffer from some form of hemorrhoids by the age of 50. The veins around the anus become stretched or swollen and this condition is known as hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are completely treatable when recognized early. Any kind of rectal bleeding or pain in the rectum during bowel movement should take you to the doctor immediately.
Hemorrhoids develop because of the strain caused on the anal canal during bowel movement. Also, during pregnancy, women often develop hemorrhoids because the fetus can cause pressure on the rectal wall. Chronic constipation, diarrhea, in some cases genes and age are other causes of hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoid symptoms are pain, burning sensation and in some cases bleeding during bowel movement. A doctor makes the diagnosis of this condition by examining the anus visually or by performing a digital rectum examination. An anoscope, which is a lighted tube can also be used to examine the anal canal internally.
Hemorrhoids are of the following two kinds:
* External Hemorrhoids: These are swollen veins that can be felt under the skin on the outside of the anal canal. They appear like a small bulge and are of the same color as the skin.
* Internal Hemorrhoids: As the name suggests, these kinds of hemorrhoids are swollen veins that arise from inside the anal canal. When these hemorrhoids become large, they protrude out through the rectum. The most common symptom in this kind is bleeding when bowel is passed. Eventually, these kinds develop into thrombosed hemorrhoids, which contains a blood clot and cause painful and burning sensation along with an intense urge to scratch the area.
What Do Hemorrhoids Look Like?
Hemorrhoids appear like small marbles that hang out from the anus. The size, shape and number differ in each person. At times, it appears as a single piece of mass while in some cases, it appears clustered.
This being said, it is important to remember that not everything that is visible around the anus cannot be classified as hemorrhoids. Anal warts also look similar to hemorrhoids; hence it is very important that you go to a doctor for diagnosis.
Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Bleeding in hemorrhoids is one of the prominent symptom of the condition. It occurs both in the case of external and internal hemorrhoids. However, the cause in both the conditions is different. In the case of external hemorrhoids, bleeding is generally caused when they are rubbed after the bowel movement while in the case of internal hemorrhoids, bleeding is caused by hard, pallet like stool.
Again, if you suffer from hemorrhoids and also bleed while passing bowel, then you must consult a doctor and rule out other causes of anal bleeding like fistula, fissure and colorectal cancer.
Treating Hemorrhoids
The most common form of treatment used by physicians is over the counter medications. Pain relievers can also be prescribed incases where the patient is in constant pain. But do consult a physician for over the counter ointments as products containing petrochemicals, colors and dyes should not be used. Using warm, moist cotton balls for cleaning after bowel movement will help soothe the hemorrhoids. You can further alleviate your problems by increasing fiber in your diet along with an increase in water intake, as it will make bowel movement easier. Ensure that you take about 35 grams of fiber everyday. Intake of coffee and spicy food should be stopped. Lubricants like castor oil and flaxseed oil can be taken as part of the diet to lubricate the colon and ease constipation.
If the hemorrhoids bleed excessively or are very painful, then they can also be treated surgically. Some of the surgical methods used to treat hemorrhoids are:
* Banding: In this process, a rubber band is placed around the hemorrhoids which causes strangulation which eventually leads to scarring. This is the most commonly used procedure to remove hemorrhoids surgically.
* Sclerotherapy: This process involves injecting a chemical solution in the hemorrhoids, which causes them to shrink.
* Infrared Coagulation: In this process, a special device is used to remove internal hemorrhoids.
* Hemorrhoidectomy: This process involves removing the hemorrhoids veins surgically.
As mentioned above, people are too embarrassed to discuss hemorrhoids. Please do not be. You have the right to live a healthy pain free life. Discuss any issues you have with your doctor regarding rectal pain and bleeding and start treatment as soon as possible.
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