Hemorrhoids are veins around your anus and inside of your rectum. Everyone has these veins, and they usually don’t cause any problems. But when the veins swell or become inflamed, they can cause pain, rectal bleeding, and itching. This condition, simply known as “hemorrhoids,” affects 1 in 20 Americans, men and women alike.
Types of hemorrhoids include internal, external, and prolapsed. Internal hemorrhoids are veins that form inside the rectum. They don’t usually cause much pain but may result in some rectal bleeding. External hemorrhoids are swollen veins that form around the anus, leading to pain, itchiness, and sometimes, bleeding. Either of these types of hemorrhoids can become prolapsed hemorrhoids, which means they protrude from the anus, causing severe pain and significant bleeding.
Learn more about the symptoms, causes, prevention, and treatment options you have if you are dealing with hemorrhoids that affect your daily life.
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids: Knowing the Signs
Hemorrhoids often begin without any symptoms. Internal hemorrhoids might not cause symptoms at all, and you may not feel them unless they prolapse. If you do experience symptoms, one of the most common is painless bleeding. You may begin seeing blood when you have a bowel movement.
External hemorrhoids are more likely to present with pain and other recognizable symptoms. These include:
- Itchy anus
- Rectal bleeding
- Hard and sore lumps near your anus
- Pain or aching, especially when you sit
Prolapsed internal or external hemorrhoids are generally very uncomfortable. You’ll likely feel them bulging out of your anus.
Causes of Hemorrhoids: Knowing Whether You May Develop Them
The most common cause of hemorrhoids is straining. Any kind of straining puts a lot of pressure on the veins in your anus and rectum. Straining that affects your lower extremities and belly can cause swelling in rectal veins, leading to hemorrhoids.
For example, weight lifting or lifting heavy objects on a daily basis can lead to hemorrhoids. Pelvic pressure from weight gain is another common cause, especially in pregnant women.
Sitting on the toilet for too long and straining during bowel movements can also cause hemorrhoids. This means that the condition may affect people who have constipation issues.
A low-fiber diet can lead to constipation, increasing your chances of developing hemorrhoids. Alternatively, frequent diarrhea can also strain your anus, leading to hemorrhoids.
Finally, aging can also play a role in the development of hemorrhoids. With age, the supportive tissues in your anus become thinner and weaker.
Treating and Preventing Hemorrhoids: Finding Relief
In many cases, hemorrhoids go away on their own and require only home care. Symptoms can last about a week or two, but you can manage them with over-the-counter medications like lidocaine and hydrocortisone creams. Take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to manage discomfort.
Some people with hemorrhoids apply natural remedies like witch hazel to the affected area. You can also soak in a warm bath for 10 to 20 minutes a day and take stool softeners to avoid making the problem worse.
You might need to visit your doctor if you tend to develop hemorrhoids often. They will likely recommend lifestyle changes, such as eating a diet that is higher in fiber and drinking more water.
If the problem persists, your doctor might recommend a rubber band ligation, which cuts off the blood supply to the vein that causes the problem, or electrocoagulation, which sends a current of electricity to stop the blood flow to the hemorrhoid.
Sclerotherapy is another option. This involves the injection of a chemical to destroy the swollen hemorrhoid. Severe cases might require a surgical procedure to remove external or internal hemorrhoids.
Although hemorrhoids are more likely as you get older, you can take steps to prevent the development or worsening of hemorrhoids. Remember not to sit or strain on the toilet for too long. But if you feel the urge to go, don’t delay bowel movements. You also want to remain physically active, which can help to keep your bowels moving.
Perhaps the most important preventive step you can take is to add more fiber to your diet. Women should consume about 25 grams of fiber a day, while men should get 35 grams per day.
Finding Help for Hemorrhoids
You don’t have to struggle with hemorrhoids if you take the time to make the necessary lifestyle changes. If you find the pain difficult to manage or there is a lot of rectal bleeding, visit your doctor and let them know about your symptoms. They can guide you in finding the relief-offering treatments you need.
Resources Links:
- “Definition & Facts of Hemorrhoids” via National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- “Symptoms & Causes of Hemorrhoids” via National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- “External hemorrhoids” via National Library of Medicine
- “Pathophysiology of internal hemorrhoids” via National Library of Medicine
