subject: Hemorrhoids: What Causes Them And What You Can Do About It [print this page] Hemorrhoids are a subject no one wants to talk about and is quite the cringe-worthy topic. But hemorrhoids are more common than you think- either you or the person sitting next to you probably has hemorrhoids (that is, if you are both at least 50 years old and American). According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, hemorrhoids affect about half of the American population who are over 50 years old and have similar rates of occurrence in both men and women. At any given time, it is estimated that approximately 5% of the American population is suffering from hemorrhoids and that about 75% of Americans will have had a hemorrhoid at least once in their lives.
Hemorrhoids are technically defined as the swelling or inflammation of the vascular structures and veins in and around the anus or the lower rectum. There are two types of hemorrhoids that can occur: internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the anal canal and are usually not painful since this area does not contain pain receptors, but may begin bleeding when irritated. Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids are bright red blood that covers the stool, the toilet paper or the toilet bowl. External hemorrhoids occur at the very end of the anal canal; they can actually be concealed from view sometimes. These types of hemorrhoids are usually painful and accompanied by irritation and swelling. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include painful swelling, a hard lump forming around the anus due to blood clots forming, and a small amount of watery discharge.
Hemorrhoid removal methods for both types of hemorrhoids are similar: a doctor may recommend an increase of fiber in your diet and oral fluids for to maintain your hydration levels; prescribe NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs); or perform a superficial procedure on the hemorrhoid (such as rubber band ligation which cuts of the hemorrhoids blood supply with elastic bands in order to have it wither and fall off, or sclerotherapy which causes the hemorrhoids to shrivel up through the injection of a sclerosing agent like phenol). However, if those nonsurgical techniques of removing hemorrhoids do not work, you will most likely need to undergo hemorrhoid surgery.
To keep hemorrhoids from forming, it is recommended to empty bowels as soon as possible after the urge occurs and to keep stools soft in order to pass them easily, reducing pressure and straining. Keeping stools soft involves exercising and increasing fiber in your diet, which reduces constipation and straining during bowel movements. For more information click here.
