1. http://www.doc-advice.com/hemorrhoids-causes-symptoms-and-diagnosis/
Hemorrhoids: Causes, Symptoms and Diagnosis
What are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids refer to enlarged and swollen blood vessels that occur in the lower
tissues of the rectum and the anus. Commonly known as the anal pile, it is
characterized by swelling of the veins after an increased pressure on these areas.
Depending on the location of the swellings, hemorrhoid can either be internal or
external.
Internal hemorrhoid occurs underneath the skin of the anus close to the rectal
opening; it is often felt as a swelling or feeling irritations, pain, or bleeding, usually
when passing the bowel. At severe cases, External hemorrhoids can lead to
2. thrombosed hemorrhoid, a condition characterized by an intense sensation or pain
that leads to blood clots under the skin.
What are Hemorrhoids?
3. What Causes Hemorrhoids?
Some of the common causes of Hemorrhoid include:
A) Lower Fiber Diet; a diet containing low fiber content leads to chronic
constipation; this condition causes staining when having a bowel movement. Also,
it increases the pressure within the blood vessels, thus causes swellings.
B) Overweight; excess body weight on the abdomen and pelvic area creates an
increased pressure on the pelvic veins.
C) Pregnancy-notably; the developing baby may exert an intense pressure on the
rectum and the anus. The increased pressure of the enlarged uterus may lead to
hemorrhoids swellings. Also, the hormonal changes resulting from the pregnancy
may weaken the muscles around the rectum and the anus.
D) Genetics-Genetic traits may influence the occurrence of hemorrhoid. Some
individuals have weak anal muscles and connective tissues that raptures, placing
them at a higher risk of getting the condition.
4. E) Anal Sex; Anal Sex can be a causes of hemorrhoids, mainly depending on the
natural response of your body to the pressure and stress exerted on the anal
muscles. Anal sex increases the pressure on the anal muscles, thus causes
swellings. You may have to consider abstaining from anal sex, especially of you are
sensitive to physical stress in the anal area.
F) Pelvic Organ Prolapse (POP) – Essentially, POP occurs when the muscles,
ligaments, and connective tissues supporting the pelvic organs weaken or get
damaged. As a result, the pelvic organs such the uterus, bladder and the rectum
may bulge towards or cause intense pressure on internal rectal and anal muscles.
G) Anal Cancer Tumor – Less often, anal cancer tumor may develop and causes
swelling and inflammation of the anal tissues. This condition may result from a
human papilloma virus (HPV) infection, many sexual partners, chronic immune
suppression, cigarette smoking, and chronic anal irritation.
5. Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Painful bowel movement, itching and swelling of the anal tissues, and blood
clot under the anal skin.
Pain and discomfort around the anus; swollen hemorrhoid can cause spasm
of the internal muscles around the rectum and anus; thus causing pain or
discomfort. Internal hemorrhoid can thrombose (from a clot) or protrude or
prolapse through the anus; sometimes they may appear purple or blue.
Painless bleeding from he anus; when passing a hard stool, the stool may
scrape off the thin lining of the hemorrhoid swellings causing painless
bleeding that appears bright red blood on the outside of the stools.
6. Burning and itching sensations (pruritis ani); the inflamed hemorrhoid may
leak some mucus that causes swelling and inflammation of the anal muscles,
thus triggering the sensations.
A hard sensitive or painful lump or excess skin tags are felt around the anal
opening that may induce some difficulties while wiping or cleaning after a
bowel movement.
Difficulty while passing the bowel and leaking of a small amount of feces.
Constant feeling of urge to have a bowel movement (tenesmus).
How Long Do Hemorrhoids Last?
People who have been diagnosed by hemorrhoids may want to know for how long
hemorrhoid may last before it heals or recover.
Notably, the time taken for hemorrhoid to heal varies from person to person.
Individuals who get hemorrhoids for the first time may take a shorter time to heal,
usually about one week; however, as the condition worsens, healing may take
longer. Those who experience recurrent hemorrhoid may take around two weeks
or more before they heal.
The severity of the condition: Apparently, hemorrhoids that have not been
aggravated to a severe condition may heal after about one week. On the
hand, hemorrhoid that is severe (enlarge and prolapse) and tends to bleed
excessively or is very swollen may take up to two months before they
recover. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids may even take about three
months or longer to heal.
Times of Occurrence: Notably, the number of times hemorrhoid occurs
increase the risk of appearing again in future. People who experience their
first hemorrhoid have a much lower risk of getting it again; however,
hemorrhoid that has already occurred for around 2-3times is more likely to
recur in the future.
7. Hemorrhoid will last longer for those people who engage in anal sex or are
overweight. Also, pregnant women are more likely to develop hemorrhoids and
the symptoms may not improve until after birth due to the pressure exerted. Thus,
as long as the pressure exerted on the rectal and anal muscle persist, the condition
will still recur.
Conclusively, it is worth nothing that, though hemorrhoid is not life-threatening,
the condition may become worse and even interfere with your daily activities and
social life. It is advisable to seek medical check-up from your gynecologists once
you experience mild symptoms. It will allow your doctor provide a prompt
diagnosis and treatment option before your symptoms get worse. Note that the
treatment options available will also impact on the time taken for hemorrhoid to
heal. A prevention measure can significantly reduce the risks of getting
hemorrhoids.
8. Do some exercises such as swimming, running, and taking a walk instead of
diving. Also, take some dietary fiber and drink a lot of water. Some home remedies
can work as well; apply some olive oil or aloe juice on the affected are to reduce
the irritating sensations and alleviate the pain.