What are piles or hemorrhoids? How is it treated?

Did you know that more than half of people over the age of 50 have hemorrhoids? Statistics show that women are more prone to hemorrhoids than men. Postpartum constipation can be one of the main reasons for this problem. A bulge around the anus as well as bleeding and pain in the anus are symptoms of hemorrhoids. If you want to know exactly what hemorrhoids are, stay with us.

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are large, swollen veins that can be seen around the outside of the anus or in the lower part of the rectum. The rectum is the last part of the intestine and leads to the anus. In fact, the opening at the end of the intestine, from where feces leave the body, is called the rectum.

All people have hemorrhoidal tissue in this area of ​​their body, which is made up of blood vessels, connective tissue and some muscle, and is seen as a cushion. These pads are not always large or inflated. As the age increases, this problem is more common that these cushions become swollen and cause a problem called hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids.

It is believed that in most cases, being constipated and straining too much to pass stool leads to hemorrhoids. If you are constantly constipated, see a doctor and get help from anti-constipation pills. Also, putting too much pressure on the body and doing heavy work can also lead to hemorrhoids. Increased pressure during pregnancy and overweight can be other effective factors in the occurrence of hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can be very painful and annoying if they recur.

Who are most affected by hemorrhoids?

Anyone can get hemorrhoids even in adolescence. Since this condition takes a while to manifest itself, it is not common in children. The following people are more prone to hemorrhoids:

• Obese and overweight people
• pregnant women
• People with chronic constipation or diarrhea
• People who regularly lift heavy objects
• People who exert a lot of pressure each time while defecating.

What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?

Symptoms of hemorrhoids often depend on the type of hemorrhoids:

Internal hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum, and you often can’t see or feel them. But putting too much pressure on yourself during bowel movements can cause the following symptoms:

• Painless bleeding during bowel movements (you may notice a small amount of blood on the toilet paper or the toilet itself)

External hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids are located under the skin around the anus and are associated with the following symptoms:

• Itching or burning in the anus
• Pain and discomfort in the anus
• Swelling around the anus
• Bleeding

Thrombotic hemorrhoids

Blood may collect in an external hemorrhoid and form a clot called a thrombus. Thrombotic hemorrhoids can lead to the following problems:

• Severe pain
• Swelling and inflammation
• A firm, discolored lump around the anus

Try to consult a doctor and use medicine or pills to treat hemorrhoids so that this condition does not progress and does not cause more problems.

What is the difference between hemorrhoids and anal fissure?

Hemorrhoids and anal fissures have similar symptoms; such as itching, pain and bleeding. Hemorrhoids cause swelling of the veins around the anus, but a tear in the anal tissue causes a gap and it is called an anal fissure. So hemorrhoids and anal fissures are different from each other.

What is the cause of hemorrhoids in women?

The cause of hemorrhoids in women can be one of the following:

• Constipation after cesarean section
• Natural childbirth
• Obesity and overweight
• Unprincipled weight loss diets
• Gastric bypass surgery
• Frequent diarrhea
• Long sittings and immobility
• anal sex
• Excessive wearing of tight underwear
• Prolonged constipation

Many women suffer from hemorrhoids during pregnancy and after childbirth.

Causes of hemorrhoids in men

The cause of hemorrhoids in men can be one of the following:

• Constipation or diarrhea for a long time
• Use of narcotics or psychoactive drugs
• Prolonged standing or excessive immobility
• Doing heavy sports
• Moving heavy objects continuously
• High blood concentration
• Diabetes and blood pressure
• Stress and anxiety

Be careful that many causes of hemorrhoids are common in men and women.

What are the complications of hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids can be painful and annoying, but usually do not cause serious problems. People with hemorrhoids may rarely experience the following problems:

• Anemia
• Blood clots in external hemorrhoids
• infection
• Skin flap (tissue hanging from the skin)
• Strangulated hemorrhoids (the muscles of the anus cut off blood flow to an internal hemorrhoid.)

Hemorrhoid home treatment

In most cases, hemorrhoids improve and resolve on their own without any treatment. Symptoms such as pain and bleeding may only be observed for about a week. In order to reduce symptoms and treat hemorrhoids at home, you can do the following:

• Use over-the-counter topical medications containing lidocaine, witch hazel, and hydrocortisone.
• Drink more water.
• Increase fiber intake through diet or taking certain supplements. Fruits, vegetables and whole grains are rich sources of fiber. Try to use at least 20 to 35 grams of fiber in your diet daily.
• Use sitz bath for 10 to 20 minutes a day; It means you have to sit in hot water.
• Use laxatives to soften the stool.
• To relieve pain and inflammation, take the help of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.
• After each bowel movement, clean your anus well.

What is the treatment of hemorrhoids?

Medical procedures are necessary to treat hemorrhoids that do not improve with home remedies:

Treatment of external hemorrhoids

When external hemorrhoids are very painful, in order to improve them, the doctor usually injects a local anesthetic and removes and cuts off the relevant area during an outpatient procedure.

Treatment of internal hemorrhoids

To treat internal hemorrhoids, several methods may be considered:

• Using a rubber band or rubber band: In this method, the doctor places a rubber band around the hemorrhoid and cuts off the blood flow to the hemorrhoid. In this case, hemorrhoids usually shrink and fall within 1 week. Of course, you may need to visit the doctor several times to complete the treatment.
• Sclerotherapy: A chemical is injected into the hemorrhoid and causes scar tissue to form and shrink the hemorrhoid.
• ray InfraredIn this method, intense infrared rays cause the formation of scar tissue, the blood flow is cut off, and the hemorrhoids will become smaller.

Hemorrhoidectomy for the treatment of hemorrhoids

In order to treat external or internal hemorrhoids, a surgery called hemorrhoidectomy may be used. During this procedure, the hemorrhoid and its surrounding tissue are removed through a small incision and then sutured. This procedure is performed in the operating room with local or general anesthesia and is successful in 95% of cases.

Treatment of hemorrhoids with a stapler

This method is also called stapled hemorrhoidopexy, in which the hemorrhoidal tissue is pulled up and towards its natural position using a device; It will be stapled in place, so to speak. For advanced and internal hemorrhoids, they often use this method; It means when the hemorrhoid is grade 2 or 3 and the person has rectal prolapse or intestinal tissue protrusion. This method is less painful than surgery, which is completely invasive.

How to prevent hemorrhoids?

As people age, hemorrhoids become more common. The following strategies can prevent stool hardening and constipation and thus prevent hemorrhoids:

• Do not sit for a long time and do not strain yourself too much when defecating.
• When you need to go to the bathroom, do not delay defecation.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Eat high-fiber foods. Such as: fresh fruits and vegetables and whole grains. Women need 25 grams of fiber and men need 35 grams of fiber daily.
• Be active in terms of physical activity and make sure to include exercise in your daily schedule.
• If necessary, use laxatives.

Read more: What is constipation and what are its treatment methods?

In what case should we see a doctor for hemorrhoids?

If you suspect hemorrhoids and have the following symptoms, be sure to see a doctor:

• stomach ache
• Chronic constipation or diarrhea
• Ague
• Nausea and vomiting
• Severe pain or bleeding from the anus

Treatment of hemorrhoids with ointment

Antihemorrhoid ointments can be used for internal and external hemorrhoids. The best ointment for hemorrhoids should contain the following ingredients:

• Lidocaine, which has anesthetic, anti-itching, anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving properties.
• Hydrocortisone, which is anti-inflammatory.
• Zinc oxide, which has anti-irritation and astringent properties.
• Aluminum subacetate, which acts as an astringent and anti-inflammatory.

Usually, anti-hemorrhoid ointments should not be used for more than 7 days. If the symptoms do not improve, the patient should see a doctor. Many hemorrhoid ointments can be obtained from a pharmacy without a prescription.

What to eat to treat hemorrhoids?

To help treat hemorrhoids, you should use high-fiber foods in your diet. Examples of these foods include:

• Wheat bran
• dried plums
• Apples and pears
• Lentils and beans
• Wholemeal bread
• Berries
• Broccoli
• Kiwi
• Citrus

In cases of advanced hemorrhoids, the term diet alone is not enough, and the person must see a doctor for treatment.

The last word about hemorrhoids

In this article from Positive Green Online Pharmacy magazine, we explained to you what hemorrhoids are. The most important cause of hemorrhoids is persistent and chronic constipation. With increasing age, the probability of hemorrhoids increases in people. Treat this complication in the early stages, which is not yet advanced, so that you don’t need surgery, etc. If you need more information, be sure to leave us a comment.