Basic Idea of Hemorrhoids with Prevention

Hemorrhoids explained

Hemorrhoids often known as piles is a medical condition which is caused by swelling of veins in anus , a passage for secretion of waste materials from the body and lower rectum, which is a part of large intestine. These swollen veins resemble varicose veins and the condition arises due to too much pressure on them. There are two types of hemorrhoids depending on the location of the swollen veins. These are external and internal hemorrhoids. The external hemorrhoids are located outside rectum and around anus while the internal hemorrhoids are located inside rectum and these are usually not felt by the patient owing to their location. They hardly cause any irritation but if the pressure on the rectum is immense due to straining on the blood vessels, they tend to bleed and can force the internal hemorrhoid through the anus. This is known as protruding or prolapsed hemorrhoid and is very painful.

How common is this condition?

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common medical conditions and mostly every three out of four adults develop this condition. The symptoms are seen in some cases like discomfort, itching and bleeding which is very painful. However, in some cases the symptoms are not caused. Hemorrhoids become more serious when they form a clot known as thrombosed hemorrhoid which can be removed through drainage but is highly painful and can cause extreme discomfort. In this condition the blood may accumulate in the external hemorrhoid which is still treatable through drainage.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

The common symptoms of hemorrhoids are swelling around the anus, itching in the anal region, painless or painful bleeding depending on the severity of the condition.

Causes

The causes of this medical condition are straining during the bowel movement due to sitting on the toilet for longer period of time due to constipation, obesity, pregnancy (due to some hormones in pregnancy), anal intercourse and a diet which is very low in fiber. Medically speaking, constipation is a condition in which the food remains in rectum more than usual time and water gets absorbed from it due to which it becomes hardened and exerts pressure on the walls of rectum causing veins to bleed.

Complications

Complications of hemorrhoids rarely occur like anemia, which is an extreme rare condition in which red blood cells are not healthy enough to carry oxygen to our cells and if the blood supply to internal hemorrhoid is stopped, its known as strangulated hemorrhoid which is also very painful.

Prevention of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can be prevented by keeping the stool soften which can be done by consuming high fiber food like fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Also, by drinking plenty of water, i.e. almost six to eight glasses of water. If we think that the amount of fiber in our diet is not sufficient then going for the fiber supplements can be beneficial. The daily amount of fiber needed by women’s body is 25 gm while men need 38 gm of fiber per day. The most common types of fiber supplements are metamucil and Citrucel. Lubrication is very important when we are on fiber supplements. In short, the symptoms of hemorrhoids can be prevented if one takes care of these small things.

Key Facts and Statistics:

• As per the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), about 10.4 million U.S. people are suffering from hemorrhoids.
• About 1 in 3 or about 3.5 million U.S people undergo medical treatment for hemorrhoids each year.
• Hemorrhoids can become worse and grow both in number and size if remain untreated.
• Most chronic patients can develop hemorrhoids in 3 locations.
• Mostly, people suffer from hemorrhoids after the age of 30. But actually, it can happen at any age and with people from any background.
• Hemorrhoids are mostly caused by untreated constipation, obesity, chronic diarrhea, sitting for long hours, pregnancy, age, and heavy lifting.