HEMORRHOIDS
Hemorrhoids are essentially swollen blood vessels in the lowest part of the rectum and the anus. There are two types: internal and external.
Internal hemorrhoids lie far enough inside the rectum that you can't see or feel them. They don't usually hurt. Bleeding with bowel movements may be the only symptom. Sometimes internal hemorrhoids prolapse, or protrude outside. Prolapsed hemorrhoids may hurt. They usually recede into the rectum on their own; if they don't, they can be gently pushed back into place.
External hemorrhoids lie within the anus and can be felt and seen. Blood clots sometimes form within external hemorrhoids, causing an extremely painful condition called a thrombosis. If an external hemorrhoid becomes thrombosed, it can look purple or blue. Despite their appearance, thrombosed hemorrhoids are usually not serious and treated during an office visit.
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Symptoms of hemorrhoids
· Bright red rectal bleeding
· Tenderness or pain during bowel movements
· Painful swelling or lump near the anus
· Anal itching |
HOW ARE THEY CAUSED?
It's likely that increased abdominal pressure causes the veins of the anus to swell. Sources of this pressure include obesity, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods, straining from constipation or diarrhea. Constipation encourages straining to have a bowel movement, and it also aggravates the hemorrhoids by producing hard stools that further irritate the swollen veins.
HOW ARE THEY TREATED?
Diet: A diet rich in high-fiber and low in refined foods and is essential to prevent constipation. You can supplement your diet with psyllium stool softeners or bulk-forming agents. You might try over-the-counter hemorrhoidal creams for relief from itching. Warm sitz baths are the most time-honored therapy.
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 Banding: For select patients, hemorrhoids can be removed using rubber-band ligation. A special tool secures a tiny rubber band around the hemorrhoid, shutting off its blood supply almost instantly. This method is successful about 75 percent of the time.
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| Surgery: For large internal hemorrhoids or uncomfortable external hemorrhoids, hemorrhoidectomy can be performed. In the hospital, under general anesthesia, the hemorrhoid is excised. The success rate for hemorrhoid removal approaches 95 percent. |
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