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Watch Out for Hemorrhoids Red Flags

Posted on November 13th, 2007 in Symptoms by hemroids

Hemorrhoids can be a painful and uncomfortable condition that an individual can experience. Here we will look at the manifestations of hemorrhoids that you need to be aware of.

One of the most common symptoms of hemorrhoids is bleeding. Rectal bleeding is most noticeable when moving the bowel as there is stain in the stool. It is recommended to consult your doctor immediately if there is anal bleeding. It is worth noting, however, that anal bleeding can be a symptom of another condition and not just hemorrhoids.

This can be an embarrassing predicament that one can be in because bleeding occurs at a time when you least expect it to happen.

In addition, another symptom of hemorrhoids is a change in the appearance of your stool. Hemorrhoids may bring about a change in the shape, color, and size of your stool. Congested anal canal can lead to thin-sized stools and unusually dark-colored stools.

Moreover, hemorrhoids can likewise lead to pain in or within the surrounding areas of the rectum which is not a result of physical injuries. When the pain is severe and the discomfort does not ease, it is advisable to see your doctor. External hemorrhoids is more prone to pain and discomfort because they are more exposed to external agents. In some instances, pain may also necessitate bleeding.

Furthermore, hemorrhoids can bring about bloody discharge from the anus as well. This is a result of irritation and swelling from the internal hemorrhoids.

An alarming red flag of hemorrhoids includes swelling, protrusions in the anal region, swelling or bulging tissues in the region. In most cases, this is brought about by too much tension in the blood vessels. Unusual bulges in the tissue from the anal region that does not heal or return to its standard size is an indication of a more serious condition.

There are four levels of hemorrhoids which determine the manifestations and treatments to be used. First grade hemorrhoid is characterized by internal or external bleeding.

With second grade hemorrhoid, this is the kind which heals and returns to its regular location in the anus. This kind of hemorrhoid is not accompanied by bleeding.

The main characteristic of third grade hemorrhoid is that they protrude from the anal canal. However, the protrusion is not a cause for worry as these hemorrhoids can be easily pushed back to its original position.

Finally, fourth grade hemorrhoids likewise protrude to the anal canal. However, unlike third grade hemorrhoids, it requires surgery or medical procedures to return to its original location in the anal canal.

In conclusion, when your hemorrhoids becomes serious or gets worse, it is suggested that you see a doctor to determine the suitable treatment method.

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Why Serious Hemorrhoids Develop

Posted on November 11th, 2007 in Symptoms by hemroids

Almost 50 percent of US adults have experienced hemorrhoids, if not presently experiencing the ailment. Hemorrhoids can be prevented or cured easily in its early stage. The problem is that most people don’t know how a hemorrhoid is, and are reluctant to ask about it until everything is too late.

Hemorrhoid veins located in the anal area are a given. We all have them. But when these veins are extra irritated and swollen, then we have an alarming case of hemorrhoids. Common hemorrhoids symptoms like pain, itchiness, flow of blood, and burning feeling give victims a general discomfort.

There are two kinds of hemorrhoids: external and internal hemorrhoids—-both of which are annoying and undesirable. External hemorrhoids are found outside of the anus area. The inflated veins cause the formation of a soft tissue or lump about the anal cavity. Blood clot developing in the area often causes the lump to harden. The hemorrhoid then becomes a painful thrombosed hemorrhoid.

External hemorrhoids cause a lot of excruciating pain. This is because the area around the anus is heavily crowded with pain-sensitive nerve endings. Thus, even a slight disturbance may trigger untold discomfort. On the other hand, internal hemorrhoids often do not trigger any pain because the areas affected do not involve nerve endings. A person will often not notice internal hemorrhoids developing until symptoms are pronounced and quick remedies are ineffective. Bowel movement difficulty causes the hemorrhoids to rupture. Bleeding follows, manifesting on the stool, toilet paper, or even in the form of light-colored droplets in the toilet bowl.

When internal hemorrhoids “prolapses,” this means hemorrhoid flesh have protruded outside the anal opening. Sometimes, spasmodic reactions of the anal muscles keep the prolapsed hemorrhoids outside the anus. This prevents good blood circulation to the hemorrhoid area and results to complicated conditions that may require instant remedial attention. Bleeding is an example. Anal bleeding should be consulted with a doctor at the soonest possible time. Bleeding may be due to very dangerous complications, like cancer.

Usually, hemorrhoids are triggered by improper diet and excessive effort in bowel movement. If we really think about it, these two are linked: improper diet (less, if any, fibrous food) leads to constipation. And constipation may lead to too much straining moving bowels. All these pave the way for hemorrhoids soon.

Hemorrhoids are easy to manage when yet in their initial stages. The key is to prevent pressure from being too rampant and severe around the anal area, developing into hemorrhoids.

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Hemorrhoids in Pregnancy

Posted on November 10th, 2007 in Symptoms by hemroids

Here are some tips on how to deal with hemorrhoids during pregnancy.

A mother often exerts tremendous effort to push out the baby during birth. The pushing effort gives a lot of strain and stress on the veins in the relevant areas, especially around the rectal and anal areas. The effort can trigger a swelling that could lead to hemorrhoids and eventually to its rupturing and bleeding.

Hemorrhoid pain can affect almost every activity of the pregnant mother once the illness develops after birth delivery. Even an activity as simple as sitting can prove difficult when hemorrhoids develop. Doctors may offer relief treatments for mothers, like the common soaking of pads in witch hazel for wiping hemorrhoids in mothers just past giving birth. This helps alleviate hemorrhoid pain and make the swelling smaller. The same may be applied continuously by sticking the pad on the undergarment of the mother as a cushion to the hemorrhoid through the day.

Mothers just fresh from birth delivery sustaining a temporary or prolonged hemorrhoid may also apply what are called “sitz” baths. This is a warm water soaking treatment where the mother sits on a tub with warm water just enough to keep the hip and anus portion under water. The water may also be treated with saline solution for an added hemorrhoid relief.

Aside from topical hemorrhoid treatments, the mother may also be given “internal” treatment. Hemorrhoid treatments applied internally are special relief oils, creams, ointments, or potions that are gently massaged on the skin. This hemorrhoid treatment may be inappropriate during pregnancy but may be applied after the baby has been delivered. The soles of the feet—particularly the arch of the feet—are the usual spot where topical application for “internal” hemorrhoid treatment is used.

As the topical medication is massaged, the skin pores absorb the medication into the veins. The medication is then absorbed into the blood flow and goes to the infected area that needs hemorrhoid treatment. The medication, thus, does not need to be ingested because it circumvents the digestive system and organs and instead goes straight to the blood stream and to the affected area of the body. This is safe for mothers who have contracted temporary or prolonged hemorrhoid. The massage technique and principle has been an ancient technique in Chinese indigenous herbal and alternative medicine.

Mothers with hemorrhoids have several options available for the treatment of the painful and uncomfortable malady. Hemorrhoids can be triggered in mothers during child birth delivery and sustained even after.

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Other Disturbing Hemorrhoid Concerns

Posted on November 6th, 2007 in Symptoms by hemroids

Hemorrhoid is a rupture of the veins around the anal and rectum area that starts as a swelling due to pressures on the same. We often apply topical or external medication applied on the areas concerned. But what about other disturbing concerns about hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids take about 2 weeks to 2 moths to heal with prescribed medication. Medication is often in the form of creams or ointments applied or gently massaged right where the swelling is. But what if the hemorrhoid enlargement is too deep in the anus it seems more internal than external? Then a second party might be needed to gently open the anal opening wider and use a long stemmed cotton bud to reach the area. Remember to avoid letting the opening of the bottle or the tube from touching the cotton bud or finger.

Or, if this is not possible, put the medication in a dropper and drop the content in the anus as the patient has the anal area inverted. This can be done by having the patient spread the legs apart on the bed and bend the upper body by making the head touch the bed. As the medication is dropped, the patient must remain this way for at least 20 to 30 seconds before standing up.

A useful tip is to also apply some of the medication on the sole of one’s feet. The arch of the feet is what we specifically rub the medication on. Be sure to rub it gently and in a prolonged way until the medication thins out evenly on the sole surface. In this way, the medication (ointment, oil, cream, liquid) will be absorbed by the skin, into the cell membranes, and join the blood flow to the affected areas. But before doing so, be sure to consult the doctor.

When a prolonged use of the medication is needed (especially when the hemorrhoid has opened and is bleeding), it will be cheaper to buy the medication in bulk. Ask the doctor about the length of use of the hemorrhoid medication and request for a prescription in bulk contents. Often, medication (especially with bleeding hemorrhoids) takes 2 months. Most hemorrhoid medication products in regular bottles are good for a month. So ask the doctor’s help and opinion on this.

Hemorrhoids must be treated as per doctor’s prescription, and other concerns that will add to the patient’s convenience must be consulted with the physician concerned.

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The Symptoms of Advanced Hemorrhoids

Posted on October 26th, 2007 in Symptoms by hemroids

Hemorrhoids is a common condition which leaves most people suffering from it no longer requiring home medications of prescription drugs. However, if left unattended, hemorrhoids may become a serious and risky condition that may demand medical attention and surgery.

There are two kinds of hemorrhoids and each can develop into advanced stage. However, aside from surgery, there are several ways of treating hemorrhoids. Here, we will look at the advanced stages of hemorrhoids and how to treat it.

In external hemorrhoids, the veins of the rectal region away from the anus become swollen. It can easily be detected by checking out a lump around the anus which can be painful and accompanied by burning, bleeding, and an itchy sensation. Although not as painful and risky, it can lead to thromboses. In this condition, there is blood clotting as the tension in the clot will continue to increase until it reaches a point that the pain becomes unbearable. At this stage, you need to see your doctor so that they can remove the clot and ease the pressure. While the pain is unbearable, this is not the most serious condition that can happen.

On the other hand, in internal hemorrhoid, the inner veins of the anus become swollen. There is no pain in this condition but the only manifestation is bleeding during a bowel movement. This condition can be removed by modifying your diet or lifestyle. When the swelling of the vein starts to protrude in the external region of the anus, this condition is known as prolapsed internal hemorrhoid and can be very painful.

The good thing about this condition is that the veins can be pushed back to its normal location in the anus but there is the danger that it will swell even more and become entrapped. Once this happens, the supply of blood may become hindered and the vein will die which can lead to infection. When this happens, it may extend to the entire body and can make you critically ill. So, get in touch with your physician immediately.

While the normal bleeding related with hemorrhoids is not a reason to panic, it can be risky if you are anemic or taking blood thinners for whatever reason. Likewise, too much bleeding aside from bowel movements is certainly alarming. While hemorrhoids is accompanied by bleeding, other medical conditions that lead to bleeding are colorectal or anal cancer. If you have hemorrhoids and you notice excessive bleeding, then you need to see the doctor right away.

Since hemorrhoids is a common condition, a lot of people believe that they must learn to bear the pain and discomfort caused by hemorrhoids. As mentioned above, it can lead to something more dangerous if not given attention at once. When your hemorrhoids have become serious enough, visit your doctor immediately.

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Common Hemorrhoids Symptoms

Posted on October 10th, 2007 in Symptoms by hemroids

What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?

An inflammation or enlargement of the veins in the anal or lower rectum area is probably a hemorrhoid. A possible hemorrhoids scenario happens when forcing a bowel movement. In such case, the forced bowel movement action puts heavy pressure on the veins surrounding the affected anal area and results to hemorrhoids. This is the case in pregnant mothers, the aged, in persistent constipation, and anal sex.

Hemorrhoids may have similar manifestations as other anal problems, like anal abscesses or fissures, other severe irritations and itchiness that lead to anal bleeding. But hemorrhoids are still apart from these maladies. In fact, sometimes, people with hemorrhoids do not experience the concomitant symptoms. The good news is that hemorrhoids often are not life threatening, though they can make life very uncomfortable. In some cases, they just disappear.

Blood on or in the stool is the common manifestation of hemorrhoids. Blood that shows on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl itself after initial anal wiping or bowel movement may also indicate hemorrhoids. These signs are often the initial stages of the disease. But at a slightly worse scenario when the hemorrhoids jut out or visibly extends out from inside the anus is the painful type of hemorrhoids. This is what they call as protruding hemorrhoids.

Protruding hemorrhoids is painful with the slightest touch or provocation. It is the most uncomfortable stage wherein a throbbing enlargement of the anal area, or a hard lump around the same, is formed due to pressured blood veins or a blood clot. Experts call this a thrombosed external hemorrhoid. Cleaning the infected area may be a good idea, but the extreme pain with a mere touch causes bleeding pain coupled by intolerable itching. Sometimes the irritating symptoms may manifest mucus presence, treatment of which may just cause further irritations.

Hemorrhoid is no respecter of persons. It affects male and female of 50 years of age and above. Pregnant women are commonly afflicted by it. Abdominal stresses and pressures in pregnancy can trigger temporary hemorrhoids. To be sure, any bleeding or blood mark in the rectum area is cause for a check up. Moreover, blood accompanied by swelling or enlargement at the anal area doubly warrants a visit to the doctor for checkup. Self-cure is never an option.

Hemorrhoids can be a very uncomfortable illness to have. It may not be life threatening, but it sure can make life miserable. The best option is a check up.

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The Symptoms and Diagnosis of Hemorrhoid

Posted on October 4th, 2007 in Symptoms by hemroids

When the veins of your lower rectum or around your anus are inflamed and swollen, that indicates that you may be experiencing hemorrhoid.

Hemorrhoids can classified as internal hemorrhoids or external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoid appears inside your anus. External hemorrhoid appears under the skin surrounding your anus.

The factors that may cause hemorrhoid are the following: strain in stool removal, aging, chronic constipation, diarrhea, pregnancy, and anal intercourse.

How will you know that you are having a hemorrhoid? Having a hemorrhoid is not life threatening and dangerous. After a few days, the symptoms for the hemorrhoid will be gone.

A lot of people experience hemorrhoids but not all show the symptoms. For internal hemorrhoid, the most common symptom is having red blood on your stool, in the toilet bowl, or on the toilet paper. There are cases that internal hemorrhoid will protrude outside the anus. It is called protruding hemorrhoid and it is painful and irritating.

For external hemorrhoid, symptoms include having a hard lump due to a blood clot around the anus, and a painful swelling. Conditions that have these symptoms are called thrombosed external hemorrhoid.

There are certain activities that will cause irritation with itching and bleeding of your anus that will produce the symptoms for hemorrhoid. These activities are excessive rubbing, straining, and cleaning the anus and also draining mucus.

Men and women are all prone to having hemorrhoid. At age 50, hemorrhoids are common to half the population. Pregnant women are very prone to hemorrhoids. The pressure of the fetus in the womb causes the enlargement of hemorrhoidal vessels. During child labor, the hemorrhoidal vessels are always under severe pressure. But hemorrhoids for women during pregnancy are only temporary problems.

Please see your physician for proper diagnosis and thorough evaluation of the symptoms you may be experiencing. Bleeding from the rectum does not always lead to hemorrhoids. Other digestive diseases have the same symptoms such as colorectal cancer.

Examining the rectum and anus for swollen blood vessels is a good thing. Your doctor will make a digital rectal exam. For a closer evaluation of hemorrhoids of the rectum, an anoscope and proctoscope can also be done. An anoscope is used for checking if you have internal hemorrhoids. A proctoscope is used to examine your entire rectum completely.

The sigmoid, lower colon and rectum, is also examined to be sure that the bleeding is not gastrointestinal. Your doctor will use sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy for the entire colon. These examinations are diagnostic procedures.

The symptoms of hemorrhoid are common to other diseases. It is still the proper advice to consult your doctor and not jump into conclusions.

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Anal Itching and Painful Hemorrhoids

Posted on October 1st, 2007 in Symptoms by hemroids

When a person has hemorrhoids, two things always happen: anal itching and painful hemorrhoids. There are some things that a person with hemorrhoids can do to prevent or at least ease the discomfort.

Hemorrhoids sometimes come with anal itching when the surrounding skin tissue of the anus is traumatized. The following activities can traumatize the skin tissue of the anus. (1) Too much use of harsh tissue paper. (2) A secondary irritant is used (like creams and soap) around the anus thus causing allergic dermatitis. (3) The surrounding skin tissue of the anus has some presence of secondary yeast or parasite infections.

The best treatment for anal itching that accompanies hemorrhoids is to avoid using any of these items. Using water only for cleaning the area is enough. Water is sufficient enough to wash away the bacteria around the anus without using any soap.

A hemorrhoidal cream or non-scented petroleum gel is an exemption to the rule. These can be applied to the surrounding skin tissue of the anus to protect the hemorrhoids from irritation. It is important to do this if the hemorrhoids are caused by chronic diarrhea or loose stools because there will be greater soiling of the skin tissue of the anus.

Aside from anal itching, painful hemorrhoids also occurs. Painful hemorrhoids always occur when the veins have prolapsed out of the anus. The treatments for painful hemorrhoids are (1) preventing prolapsed hemorrhoids and (2) replacing the prolapsed hemorrhoids inside the anus.

Avoiding the circumstances of constipation and lubricating the stool can aid in the prevention of prolapsed veins resulting to painful hemorrhoids. Rectal suppositories like Glycerin can help provide lubrication for the stool thus preventing irritation and friction of the hemorrhoids.

A sea plant called Agar Agar is used as a nutritional supplement. Agar Agar can both serve as a lubricant for stool as well as a bulking agent. Other supplements that can be used as lubricants for stool are cod liver oil and flaxseed.

When hemorrhoids are prolapsed only during bowel movement, you can replace the prolapsed hemorrhoids yourself. All you need to do is to lubricate a finger with petroleum gel then push the prolapsed veins back up inside the anal sphincter. You can use a disposable glove coated with petroleum gel if you are squeamish about using your finger.

It is kind of painful to push the veins up, but you will feel relief right away once the veins are put back in. The feeling of relief will last until your next bowel movement. If the veins stay out even without a bowel movement, it is best to see your doctor for further necessary treatment.

Anal itching and pain are always associated with hemorrhoids. Knowing how to treat these discomforts yourself will make you feel comfortable for some time in spite of hemorrhoids.

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The Causes and Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

Posted on September 13th, 2007 in Symptoms by hemroids

Hemorrhoids is a condition characterized by swelling of the veins surrounding the anus as well as the lower portion of the rectum. There are two kinds of hemorrhoids. The first one, which is characterized by swelling in the rectum, is known as internal hemorrhoids. On the other hand, external hemorrhoids is characterized by inflammation in the anus. Studies revealed that 1 out of 3 persons less than 50 years old will have hemorrhoids while 50% of persons more than 50 years old will have this condition.

People who are suffering from hemorrhoids may experience the following symptoms: swelling in the anal or rectal area, itching, hard lumps caused by blood coagulation in the veins, itching, tears in the swollen veins and bleeding caused by the tears, and permanent lumps, scars or thickened area after the condition disappears.

In addition, an individual will know that they have hemorrhoids when they experience tremendous pressure in the veins of the anus, caused by constipation. Here, the patient will have frequent urges to go to the toilet due to diarrhea.

The veins consist of valves that keeps the blood from flowing backwards. As the pressure on these veins mounts, they will become inflamed. As a result, the blood will then coagulate causing a hard lump that blocks the flow of blood in the veins.

The inflammation of the hemorrhoids may lead to tear which consequently removes the contents and leads to bleeding of the veins. Although the contents have been removed, a scar may become permanent after the healing of the inflamed veins.

Moreover, there are cases wherein the contents of the hemorrhoids disappears and the healing of the vein occurs even without any rupture. However, a hardened segment of the vein may become permanent.

Furthermore, people who are fond of eating low fiber foods are prone to hemorrhoids. Likewise, hemorrhoids is caused by limited water intake. Aside from that, one can have hemorrhoid as well if they have less or too much fat consumption. Lack of physical exercise also causes hemorrhoids.
 
Exerting too much pressure on the muscles can be a major factor in causing hemorrhoids. Lifting heavy objects, for instance, can produce tremendous pressure on the anal vessels. Aside from that, other conditions that weaken the tissues of the anal region also has an impact on the development of this condition.

Finally, hemorrhoids is a common complication experienced by pregnant women. The stimulation of the hormones during pregnancy leads to the dilation of vessels in the anal region. The weight of the fetus as well as the strains of childbirth will aggravate the already dilated tissues leading to hemorrhoids.

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Spot a Hemorrhoids Symptom

Posted on July 29th, 2007 in Symptoms by hemroids

Do you find yourself straining with constipation? Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time? Take a moment and consider this, you might get or already have hemorrhoids. Read on and find out the signs of hemorrhoids, you might just discover that you got a hemorrhoids symptom creeping up behind you, literally!

A number of hemorrhoids sufferers can tell you that they’re extremely itchy, burning and painful. Hemorrhoids that produce those symptoms have already become so severe that it would need surgery to take them out. So, don’t wait for the extreme pain, itch and burn. Learn now that there are three degrees to hemorrhoids and get treated before it’s too late.

First-degree hemorrhoids may be asymptomatic, or they may not produce noticeable symptoms. So a hemorrhoids symptom to look out for is the occasional bleeding during bowel movement. This may be difficult to know for sure while you are actually doing “No.2″ because it is characteristically painless. For that reason, the next best thing is to look at the stool and the toilet paper (after you wipe, of course). There’ll be bright-red blood marks on the stools or on the toilet paper.

Second-degree hemorrhoids on the other hand are also usually painless. But the indisputable change is that they already “prolapse” or drop but immediately go back to the anal canal after the bowel movement.

Third-degree hemorrhoids are most severe. The prevalent hemorrhoids symptom is constant discomfort. That’s pain, itch and burn up your bum anytime and anywhere, whether you’re on the toilet or not. The hemorrhoids this severe will prolapse or drop with any strain or pressure in your abdomen. So even when you cough or sneeze, it’s going to hurt!

When hemorrhoids are in the third-degree, you’ll actually feel the external lumps that have dropped from the rectum. The hemorrhoids symptom of recurrent bleeding will manifest. When severe bleeding happens, it can lead to anemia. With anemia, there’s noticeable pallor or paleness, weakness and fatigue.

Know now that hemorrhoids are not exclusive to those who exert lots of effort and strain from constipation while having a bowel movement. This can cause hemorrhoids but there are other predisposing factors that can cause this unpleasant and painful condition too. If your job requires prolonged sitting or standing, that’s a predisposing factor to hemorrhoids. Other causes also include liver disease, alcoholism, pregnancy and weakness or loss of muscle tone of the elderly.

Treatments of hemorrhoids depend on its degree of severity. First to second-degree hemorrhoids can be relieved with increasing fiber and fluid intake in the diet. There are stool softeners available to alleviate the hemorrhoids symptom of pain when having a bowel movement. The hemorrhoids symptom of anal irritation can be relieved with creams and warm baths. But when third-degree hemorrhoids have caused unbearable pain, large prolapse and severe bleeding and itching, the best treatment is to surgically remove the hemorrhoids.

First and second-degree hemorrhoids will manifest some blood in the stools and on the toilet paper. Third-degree hemorrhoids will show with irritation and prolapse. There’ll be itching, pain and bleeding. Hemorrhoids should be easy to treat with proper diet and regular bowel habits. But extreme cases will require surgery. Don’t let hemorrhoids get serious, learn to spot a hemorrhoids symptom and put an end to this serious condition.

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