Haemorrhoids, also known as haemorrhoids, are the dilatation, expansion of the radicles of rectal veins in the anal canal beyond normal dimensions. In this case, a radicle is the smallest branch of a blood vein. Veins are weak compared to arteries due to their thin walls, therefore veins can become strained and twisted with any large back pressure. Veins have one-way valves to prevent backflow. The three rectal veins are named superior, middle and inferior rectal veins respectively. Blockages or increased pressure in these veins cause hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids come in two types, internal and external. External hemorrhoids are located outside of the anus and are covered with skin. Their color can be brown or black. Because there are so many nerves in the anal area, an external hemorrhoid is extremely painful.
The second type, internal hemorrhoids, is found inside the anal canal, inside the anus. They are purple or red and have a mucous membrane covering. They are usually painless. It is not uncommon for a person to have both external and internal hemorrhoids at the same time.
Conditions that can lead to hemorrhoids –
Hemorrhoids, a familial condition that usually occurs in family members, is sometimes attributed to heredity. The only animals that get hemorrhoids are those that stand on two legs. Most likely, this is due to rectal vein obstruction due to gravity. People with chronic constipation often have problems with hemorrhoids. Resisting the urge to move your bowels at your body’s signal can lead to constipation and then hemorrhoids.
A high intake of meat, chicken, shrimp, spicy foods, and more leads to hemorrhoids. The people who are least likely to get hemorrhoids are those who eat high amounts of vegetables and fibrous foods in their diet. Some women get hemorrhoids during pregnancy because the uterus compresses the rectal veins. Rectal cancerous lesions can cause hemorrhoids by restricting blood flow.
Symptoms and Signs of Hemorrhoids –
With external hemorrhoids, a bulge can be seen and felt around the anus. There will be pain and discomfort in the anal area. As you strain to pass a stool, the pain gets worse.
Initially, internal hemorrhoids are not felt. Subsequently, as the disease progresses, the hemorrhoids will emerge when a stool is passed, and then retract on their own. If the condition worsens, the protruding hemorrhoids will not go away.
Bleeding is not uncommon for either type of hemorrhoid. However, if an internal hemorrhoid is retracted, it can bleed internally into the rectum. Bleeding occurs from splashes as you push to expel a stool. In some cases, the bleeding can be quite heavy. Both types of hemorrhoids can cause mucus discharge and itching around the anus.
Other things caused by hemorrhoids –
Hemorrhoids can become infected and the infection can spread to deeper veins, causing blood poisoning. Septicemia is blood poisoning caused by pathogenic microorganisms and their toxic products in the bloodstream.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids are not considered dangerous, but cause significant pain and swelling because they affect nerve endings located in the anal skin. They are first noticed by an acute, extremely painful swelling of the anus. Thrombosis is the formation of a blood clot in a blood vessel that impedes blood flow. It occurs due to the high pressure on the veins with excessive exertion. It is rare to see thrombosis of an internal hemorrhoid.
Fibrosis usually follows thrombosis and is more common in external hemorrhoids than in the internal type. Initially, the fibrosis is like a bump, but with repeated friction of stool expulsion, it develops a stalk-like connecting part.
Suppuration is very rare and results from infection of a thrombosed hemorrhoid. It is accompanied by throbbing pain and swelling in the perianal region. An abscess with discharge of pus is not uncommon.
Gangrene can develop when tissue in the hemorrhoid and adjacent skin dies due to blood loss. This only occurs when the arterial supply to the hemorrhoid is somehow narrowed.
Treatment of Hemorrhoids –
Hemorrhoids are usually treated first based on the symptoms observed. Mild cases can be treated with over-the-counter medications, usually some type of cream or ointment. Moderate cases respond to prescription drugs containing hydrocortisone acetate and pramoxine hydrochloride. Constipation should be treated naturally. If the medications like creams, ointments and foams do not bring any results, the following treatments can be considered.
A thrombosed external hemorrhoid in which a blood clot has developed can be removed by cutting after a local anesthetic is administered. The area is incised with a scalpel and the clot is removed. There is almost immediate relief from the shooting pain. However, a dull ache may persist. Sitz baths, over-the-counter pain relievers, and using a rubber or air rubber donut can help with the pain.
Injecting sclerosants can reduce the size of the hemorrhoid. Sclerotherapy is a procedure to treat blood vessels or blood vessel malformations. A drug is injected into the vessels, causing them to shrink. This procedure is also used to treat varicose veins.
Rubber band ligation around the base of hemorrhoids is a useful outpatient treatment for second degree internal hemorrhoids. The surgeon places a pair of tight rubber bands around the base of the hemorrhoidal vein, causing it to lose its blood supply. The hemorrhoid will then shrink and die within 2 to 7 days. The shrunken hemorrhoid and ligament fall off during normal bowel movements. After the procedure, you may experience some discomfort for a few days and you may bleed a little.
Cryosurgery has fallen out of favor as a treatment for hemorrhoids. The procedure consists of freezing and destroying internal or external hemorrhoids with a cryoprobe that uses nitrous oxide or liquid nitrogen as the freezing agent. The hemorrhoids are either directly frozen or tied off first. In both cases, local anesthesia is usually used to reduce pain.
Cryosurgery is more painful than other medical surgeries. In addition, the patient still has an open wound for a few weeks after the operation, which can become infected. In addition, patients may experience abnormal rectal discharge or foul odor, which may necessitate the use of absorbent pads.
Anal dilatation, or stretching of the anal canal, is no longer the method of choice for treating hemorrhoids. The frequent occurrence of fecal incontinence is perhaps the most unpleasant side effect. In addition, anal stretching can increase the rate of flatulence incontinence. However, it can still be considered to help younger women and women with overly tight sphincters who would otherwise need surgery. It can also be helpful in strangulated and thrombosed prolapsed hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoidectomy is the removal of hemorrhoids through surgery. It is performed under general anesthesia and usually in an outpatient surgery center. The operation is performed with a scalpel, a powered tool (pencil), or a laser. Hemorrhoidectomy is primarily used only in severe cases of both internal and external hemorrhoids. It is a significant postoperative pain and usually takes two to four weeks to recover.
Prevention of hemorrhoids –
Diet and habits are the most important means of preventing hemorrhoids. Your diet should include plenty of fruits and vegetables and high-fiber foods. Be sparing with meat and shellfish. Eat when you’re hungry, of course, but try to stick to regular meal times. Make water your most important fluid intake and drink plenty of it. Be regular in your bowel movements and take something, food or medicine, to treat constipation.
Medical Disclaimer –
I’m not a health expert. You must not rely on the information in this article as an alternative to medical advice from your physician or other professional health care provider. If you have specific questions about medical matters, consult your doctor or other professional healthcare provider. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment based on the information in this article.
If you think you may be suffering from hemorrhoids or any of the symptoms described in this article or any other condition, you should see a doctor right away. Never start a new exercise program without first consulting your doctor. The information provided in this article is for reference only and is based on personal experience. Individual results may vary and the information published in this article should not be considered a substitute for appropriate medical attention from a professional.
Thanks to Art Lynch