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Piles - Diagnosis and cure

Think of hemorrhoids like your booty's version of varicose veins. Most of the time, they're just there, doing their job. However add some strain -- such as weight problems, straining throughout a bowel movement, the extra weight of being pregnant, prolonged sitting during an extended automobile or airplane experience or while on the toilet, and power diarrhea or constipation -- and the tissue swells, knots and infrequently turns into painful.

There are other reasons for this unlucky experience. As we age, our connective tissues weaken and stretch out of practice, which might lead to a prolapse, or falling, of a part of the anal wall, which can then protrude from the anus. Repeated anal intercourse can produce the same impact or irritate existing hemorrhoids and make them bleed.

There's some indication that hemorrhoids run in families, too. And those with ulcerative colitis, Crohn's and inflammatory bowel disease can add a higher danger for hemorrhoids to their lengthy list of ailments.

Sorts of hemorrhoids

There are two varieties of hemorrhoids: internal and external. In the event you had to decide on, decide internal.

Internal "piles" happen in the lower rectum, the place there aren't any pain centers, so they do not hurt. However it's scary once they bleed, normally a shiny pink coloration as a result of high oxygen content material in the area.

Generally, internal hemorrhoids can prolapse outdoors the anus, collecting minute particles of feces or other supplies and leading to intense itching often known as pruritus ani.

External hemorrhoids develop within the pores and skin around the anus and can be extraordinarily painful as we sit, wipe and go about our every day lives, especially if a blood clot or thrombosis develops contained in the hemorrhoid sac. Even if the clot resolves by itself, which can occur in a single or two weeks, the shrunken hemorrhoid can depart a pores and skin tag that may trigger hygiene problems.

Are hemorrhoids dangerous?

Rarely. If blood loss from hemorrhoids is severe, there's a likelihood of anemia, with which you don't have enough pink blood cells to carry needed oxygen all through the body. Internal hemorrhoids can collapse and be "strangulated" when their blood supply is lower off by anal muscles. This can lead to blood clots, infections and, in extreme circumstances, gangrene or sepsis.

Immunocompromised patients could heal slowly and be more at risk for infection after surgical interventions, so docs suggest surgical procedure as a last resort. What might be really harmful is assuming that your symptoms are simply hemorrhoids without getting a colorectal specialist to take a look-see. Although not essentially the most nice expertise, it beats most of the other ailments that mimic the symptoms of a hemorrhoid.

Bleeding, for instance, is the most typical symptom of hemorrhoids, but it is also an indication of colorectal or anal cancer. Pain can indicate an exterior hemorrhoid, however it might probably additionally signify an anal fissure, or a tear in the pores and skin on the opening of the anus. Anal pain also can point to an abscess or to fistula illness, an irregular tunnel between two organs.

Remedies for hemorrhoids

Most hemorrhoids treatment, each inside and exterior, could be managed at home with care not to exacerbate the problem. Attempt not to strain throughout bowel movements or sit too long. Stool softeners and extra hydration and fiber might help with constipation.