How to Live with Hemorrhoids
When the blood veins which are located in lower rectum, or within the anus become swollen and engorged and start itching and causing pain, the diagnoses is often hemorrhoids. This condition of swollen painful veins can be either internal, or external, causing the vein to protrude from the anus. On occasion, both types will occur at the same time for some unlucky sufferers.
When the blood veins which are located in lower rectum, or within the anus become swollen and engorged and start itching and causing pain, the diagnoses is often hemorrhoids. This condition of swollen painful veins can be either internal, or external, causing the vein to protrude from the anus. On occasion, both types will occur at the same time for some unlucky sufferers.
Excessive pressure on these delicate anal and rectal veins often results in the formation of hemorrhoid tissue. Straining during bowel movements due to constipation is a common factor in hemorrhoids, but frequent diarrhea can also cause them to appear. A diet sorely lacking in fiber or an insufficient intake of fluids can significantly raise your risk of suffering from hemorrhoids, as can a lack of exercise. An increase in blood volume while pregnant, and the strain of delivering a baby can make hemorrhoids a frequent problem for women of childbearing age. Individuals working at jobs that keep them seated are also more at risk. People who are appreciably overweight also run a greater than average risk of developing hemorrhoids. They are, unfortunately, a very common ailment.
Hemorrhoids are often accompanied by itchiness, pain, burning or irregular lumps of flesh around the anal area. The presence of fresh, brightly colored blood that occurs with bowel movements is also indicative of hemorrhoids. A routine physical examination given by a physician is often all that is needed to diagnose a case of hemorrhoids.
There is no denying that having hemorrhoids is not fun, but fortunately, they seldom pose a serious problem to health. On rare occasions, they can become severe enough to cause extreme pain or considerable bleeding. Any rectal bleeding should be brought to the attention of one's physician, as there are more serious diseases for which that can be a symptom. Treating the first stages of hemorrhoids usually involves an over-the-counter cream, or the use of medicated pads. These treatments are only used to temporarily reduce the symptoms and should not be considered for long-term use. Some helpful home remedies include sitz baths, wiping the irritated area with cotton soaked in witch hazel, or using stool softeners to ease any constipation. Stubborn cases that fail to respond to simple home remedies can indicate that surgery should be considered, though surgical intervention is usually a last resort. Hemorrhoidectomy, and stapling to block blood flow to the inflamed tissue are invasive procedures that are used only when other remedies have failed. A chemical injection may be considered to shrink swelling tissue, and rubber band ligation, or laser light/heat may be used in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
In order to prevent a return of the hemorrhoids, a change of lifestyle may be in order. A diet that is high in fiber found in whole grains, fruits and vegetables (or a fiber supplement if necessary) could help keep the digestive system healthy and prevent the reoccurrence of constipation. In addition, the importance of an adequate intake of fluid (a minimum of 8 glasses daily) cannot be stressed enough. Exercise also helps to keep the body healthy and the digestive tract regular.
Modification of one's lifestyle is often prescribed to attain and then maintain a life free of hemorrhoids. A sufficient fluid intake (drinking a minimum of 64 ounces of water every day) is crucial to maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Exercise also keeps the body healthy and bowel movements more regular, which in turn prevents the reoccurrence of constipation, and thus the reoccurrence of hemorrhoids. A revision of diet to include foods fiber rich foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables (or the addition of a fiber supplement if needed) will also help retain a healthy digestive system. Hemorrhoids are uncomfortable, and while they may not be a major health concern, they are certainly an undesirable one but hemorrhoids are both avoidable and treatable.
When the blood veins which are located in lower rectum, or within the anus become swollen and engorged and start itching and causing pain, the diagnoses is often hemorrhoids. This condition of swollen painful veins can be either internal, or external, causing the vein to protrude from the anus. On occasion, both types will occur at the same time for some unlucky sufferers.
Excessive pressure on these delicate anal and rectal veins often results in the formation of hemorrhoid tissue. Straining during bowel movements due to constipation is a common factor in hemorrhoids, but frequent diarrhea can also cause them to appear. A diet sorely lacking in fiber or an insufficient intake of fluids can significantly raise your risk of suffering from hemorrhoids, as can a lack of exercise. An increase in blood volume while pregnant, and the strain of delivering a baby can make hemorrhoids a frequent problem for women of childbearing age. Individuals working at jobs that keep them seated are also more at risk. People who are appreciably overweight also run a greater than average risk of developing hemorrhoids. They are, unfortunately, a very common ailment.
Hemorrhoids are often accompanied by itchiness, pain, burning or irregular lumps of flesh around the anal area. The presence of fresh, brightly colored blood that occurs with bowel movements is also indicative of hemorrhoids. A routine physical examination given by a physician is often all that is needed to diagnose a case of hemorrhoids.
There is no denying that having hemorrhoids is not fun, but fortunately, they seldom pose a serious problem to health. On rare occasions, they can become severe enough to cause extreme pain or considerable bleeding. Any rectal bleeding should be brought to the attention of one's physician, as there are more serious diseases for which that can be a symptom. Treating the first stages of hemorrhoids usually involves an over-the-counter cream, or the use of medicated pads. These treatments are only used to temporarily reduce the symptoms and should not be considered for long-term use. Some helpful home remedies include sitz baths, wiping the irritated area with cotton soaked in witch hazel, or using stool softeners to ease any constipation. Stubborn cases that fail to respond to simple home remedies can indicate that surgery should be considered, though surgical intervention is usually a last resort. Hemorrhoidectomy, and stapling to block blood flow to the inflamed tissue are invasive procedures that are used only when other remedies have failed. A chemical injection may be considered to shrink swelling tissue, and rubber band ligation, or laser light/heat may be used in the treatment of hemorrhoids.
In order to prevent a return of the hemorrhoids, a change of lifestyle may be in order. A diet that is high in fiber found in whole grains, fruits and vegetables (or a fiber supplement if necessary) could help keep the digestive system healthy and prevent the reoccurrence of constipation. In addition, the importance of an adequate intake of fluid (a minimum of 8 glasses daily) cannot be stressed enough. Exercise also helps to keep the body healthy and the digestive tract regular.
Modification of one's lifestyle is often prescribed to attain and then maintain a life free of hemorrhoids. A sufficient fluid intake (drinking a minimum of 64 ounces of water every day) is crucial to maintaining a healthy digestive tract. Exercise also keeps the body healthy and bowel movements more regular, which in turn prevents the reoccurrence of constipation, and thus the reoccurrence of hemorrhoids. A revision of diet to include foods fiber rich foods, such as whole grains, fruits and vegetables (or the addition of a fiber supplement if needed) will also help retain a healthy digestive system. Hemorrhoids are uncomfortable, and while they may not be a major health concern, they are certainly an undesirable one but hemorrhoids are both avoidable and treatable.
About the Author:
For the majority of people hemorrhoids are an easily managed condition. Although it can be embarrasing to talk about, a doctor's exam is always necessary to ensure that your symptoms aren't being caused by something more serious. Hemroids are quite common and the sooner you get diagnosed, the sooner you can start a hemroid treatment option.
