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Background - Hemorrhoids occur when the veins around the anus or lower rectum become inflamed or swollen.
- Hemorrhoids can appear inside or outside the anus and are considered to be quite painful.
Causes
Hemorrhoids may be caused by chronic constipation, straining while attempting to create a bowel movement, aging, pregnancy, diarrhea, and anal intercourse among other factors.
Symptoms and Types
Although many people develop hemorrhoids at some point in their life, not everyone experiences symptoms. For those individuals that do, symptoms may include:
Internal Hemorrhoids: - Bright red blood covering the stool, on the toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl.
External Hemorrhoids: - Painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus that results from the formation of a blood clot (known as a thrombosed external hemorrhoid).
- Itching, bleeding or irritation.
Diagnosis
Because any type of anal bleeding may be a sign of a more severe problem, it is important to see a doctor immediately. During the visit, the doctor will examine the anus to look for the swollen blood vessels which are indicative of hemorrhoids. The doctor will also perform a rectal exam in order to check for abnormalities.
Conventional Treatment Treatment of hemorrhoids is aimed initially at relieving symptoms. In order to reduce symptoms individuals may: - Take several 10 minute baths a day in plain, warm water.
- Use an over the counter hemorrhoidal cream or suppository.
- In more severe cases, hemorrhoids must be treated endoscopically or surgically. These treatments work to shrink and destroy the hemorrhoidal tissue.
- Other treatments may include rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation and a hemorrhoidectomy.
Integrative, Complementary and Alternative Treatment Popular alternative treatments for hemorrhoids may include: - Increasing the consumption of blackberries, blueberries, cherries, vitamin C, and flavonoids.
- Herbal preparations such as pilewort (also known as ranunculus ficaria) can be particularly helpful when applied in an ointment or taken as a tea. This can reduce the pain of external hemorrhoids. Other herbal preparations may be helpful as well.
- Acupuncture, acupressure, aromatherapy, and homeopathy have also used in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
Prevention - Relieve the pressure and straining which results from constipation by increasing fiber and fluid intake.
- Eat lost of fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
- Try taking a bulk stool softener or a fiber supplement such as psyllium.
References 1. http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/hemorrhoids/DS00096
2. http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hemorrhoids.html
3. http://www.healthandage.com/html/res/com/ConsConditions/Hemorrhoidscc.html
4. http://www.peacehealth.org/kbase/cam/hn-1026009.htm Copyright 2008, rVeda, Inc. |
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