What are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes of rectal bleeding. Also known as piles, these are swollen veins in your lower rectum and anus which are quite similar to Varicose Veins. If left untreated, they can also develop inside the rectum or under the skin around the anus, known as external hemorrhoids.
Common Symptoms
As mentioned above, depending upon the type of hemorrhoid, signs and symptoms can vary. Most symptoms are caused by the prolapse (slippage) of the anorectal mucosa in and out of the anal canal. The prolapse of the mucosa and internal hemorrhoids in the anal canal causes sphincter pressure on these structures to determine an alteration of blood flow, which predisposes to “thrombosis” (clots within the blood vessels).
There are three different types of hemorrhoids
External Hemorrhoids
These develop under the skin around your anus. Symptoms can include:
– Pain or Discomfort
– Bleeding
– Itching and Swelling in your anal region
Internal Hemorrhoids
You can’t usually see or feel them as they lie inside the rectum. They can cause real discomfort. Signs and Symptoms include:
– They can cause bleeding during passing of stools. You might even notice amounts of blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet.
– You might also feel a prolapsed or protruding hemorrhoid, resulting in pain and irritation.
When to consult a doctor?
If you notice bleeding during bowel movements or do not see any improvement in a week’s time of home care, you should talk to your doctor.
It is not advisable to relate rectal bleeding with hemorrhoids especially if you have changes in your bowel habits or your stools change in color and consistency.
Hemorrhoids: Treatment
In most cases, piles resolve their own without the need for any treatment. Following treatment options are available:
- Diet – Patients are asked to eat more fiber, such as fruits and vegetables to keep the stools regular and soft.
- Body weight – Obesity is found to be a major cause for piles. So, losing weight might be a good option to treat piles.
- Ointments, creams, pads, and other OTC medications.
For some people, a healthy diet and lifestyle and over-the-counter medicines aren’t enough to treat hemorrhoids.
There are also procedures that shrink or remove them, such as using a laser, that can be done in your doctor’s office. Although these may hurt less and have fewer complications, surgery might be a better long-term choice, especially if your hemorrhoids are large and very painful or bleeding. Hemorrhoid surgery is safe and effective most of the time. But you’ll still need to eat a high-fiber diet, avoid constipation, and take care of your bottom to help prevent new hemorrhoid flare-ups.
The initial piles treatment in Delhi consists of conservative measures, such as a diet rich in fiber, fiber supplements, mild laxatives, local hygiene measures, etc. If symptoms persist, it is recommended to perform procedures or surgery according to the degree of hemorrhoids.
