Posts Tagged ‘haemorrhoids’
Hemorrhoids: What are they and what can you do?
Haemorrhoids can be regarded a lifestyle disease that can be attributed the typical low-fibre Western diet. Constipation can be a cause of hemorrhoids due to straining during bowel movements.
They are very common in both men and women and usually develop from the early 20’s to the 50’s. When it comes to rectal bleeding, haemorrhoids are the most common cause. Blood from the anus can appear which can natutrally cause alarm.
Very rarely, they can be a sign of something more serious, and if you do experience bleeding from the anus or rectal area, you should consult your health professional.
Most of the time, hemorrhoids are not a serious health concern but they can cause irritation, itching and a degree of pain.
Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal haemorrhoids develop in the back passage, 2-4cm above the rim (opening) of the anus. They are classified using a grading system from one to four.
Internal haemorrhoids are due to a weakening of the supportive connective tissues within the anal canal allowing the lower rectal lining to bulge. The most common symptom of internal haemorrhoids is rectal bleeding. This is not associated with any pain.
Hemorrhoids that are internal and large may need treatment from your medical professional. Internal haemorrhoids originate inside the rectum but can often protrude outside the rectum as they enlarge.
External Haemorrhoids
External haemorrhoids are also called perianal haematoma. They are less common, and develop on the outside edge of the anus. They lie under the perianal skin just inside and outside the anal verge below the dentate line.They can be seen because they actually lie outside the rectal junction.
External haemorrhoids tend to be more uncomfortable, sensitive and are more troublesome than Internal Haemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids can become painful and irritated, and can bleed or itch but may be treated with creams that are directly applied. If diagnosed within 72 hours of onset of pain, severely painful thrombosed external haemorrhoids are best managed by urgent referral and excision under local anaesthetic.
Diet
Diet is an important part of maintaining a healthy balance in the body. Failure to pass a stool when needed, as well as eating a diet which does not contain fibre, not exercising regularly, and not drinking enough fluids can lead to constipation. Constipation increases your likelihood of developing haemorrhoids.
Doctors will usually recommend that you increase the amount of fibre in your diet, this makes the stool softer and therefore makes going to the toilet easier.
If a high fibre diet is not helping, you can take bran, or other fibre supplements (‘bulking agents’) such as ispaghula, methylcellulose, or sterculia. The first aspect to managing hemorhoids is to control what you eat. Make sure you eat a high-fibre diet and drink at least 8 glasses of water per day.
The success rate of haemorrhoid treatment and removal approaches 95%, but unless dietary and lifestyle changes are made, haemorrhoids are likely to recur.