Hemorrhoids

Health Tip - Week April 11-15, 2011

Hemorrhoids

 

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins around your anus or in the lower rectum. A sac like development filled with lymph and blood vessels.

A Vascular structure in the anal canal, swollen veins around the anus and in the rectum.

               

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids:

• Pain or mild burning during bowel movements
• Bright red blood on the outer portion of your feces, on the toilet paper, or stool
• Itching or irritation around your anal area
• Rectal bleeding after a bowel movement
• Anal ache or pain
• Incomplete digestion
• Difficult bowel movement

Causes of Hemorrhoids:

• Chronic constipation (straining at bowel movements)
• Chronic Diarrhea
• Excess acidity
• Hot spicy foods
• Poor bathroom habits
• Pregnancy
• Childbirth
• Stress
• Anal intercourse

Hemorrhoids are not life threatening but can be very uncomfortable causesing discomfort in sitting, walking and intimacy.

Hemorrhoids Diagnosis: 

• Physical examination
• Inspection of the anus
• Digital rectal examination

Hemorrhoid Treatment:

• Hydrocortisone cream
• Rectal steroid cream
• Nitroglycerine ointment
• Warm sitz baths
• Dietary changes
• Increase fluids
• Stool softeners

In some cases Surgery is needed:

• Rubberband ligation (blood flow to the hemorrhoid is stopped with a rubberband)
• Scherotherapy (chemical injection into the hemorrhoids)
• Hemorrhoiddectomy (hemorrhoid removal)
• Stapled Hemorroidectomy 

For more information go to http://www.webmd.com/, http://www.ask.com/, http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/, or http://www.emedicinehealth.com/


Remember!

The Best Prevention is to eat a High Fiber Diet and Drink plenty of Water 

Live well

Doc V