Did you know, dear reader, that almost all people have hemorrhoids?
1- What are hemorrhoids?
They are collections of veins, located at the end of the rectum and anal canal – directly below the mucous membrane that lines the rectum and anal area.
They often act as soft cushions to help the anal sphincter muscles control stool, but it is customary to apply the term “hemorrhoids” to these veins when they expand and swell, causing some problems such as bleeding, pain, etc.
Some studies conducted in this regard indicate that approximately half of people suffer from hemorrhoid problems by the age of fifty.
2- The question is: Why do hemorrhoids occur, or what are the factors that lead to their occurrence?
In fact, hemorrhoidal veins are the veins in the body that are most susceptible to relaxation and swelling, because their walls resist the effect of gravity most of the time. In addition, some factors may lead to high blood pressure within these veins, which leads to the hemorrhoids swelling and expanding.
We mention, for example:
– Carrying luggage and heavy items.
– Suffering from chronic constipation, also called diarrhea, for long periods of time when passing stool.
– Obesity and weight gain.
– Sitting for long periods, especially when using the toilet.
– Conditions that may lead to increased pressure inside the abdominal cavity, such as pregnancy, childbirth, and ascites.
The chances of developing hemorrhoids also increase if a family member has had them before.
3- How do hemorrhoids occur?
When some of the above-mentioned factors are present, the veins surrounding the anal area expand and swell and their walls become very thin, which makes them easily irritated and injured, resulting in various symptoms of hemorrhoids.
4- Are there many types of hemorrhoids?
In fact, there are two types of hemorrhoids that can be explained as follows:
1- External hemorrhoids:
They are the superficial veins surrounding the anus.
Its symptoms are as follows:
• Pain and irritation of the anus.
• A feeling of itching and discomfort in the anal area.
• Swelling around the anal area.
• Bleeding, especially when passing stool.
2- Internal hemorrhoids:
They are veins located at the end of the rectum, which often cannot be seen or felt.
Its symptoms are usually summarized as follows:
– Bleeding with stool: It is often not accompanied by any pain or other problems, and the patient may accidentally discover some drops of blood inside the toilet, on tissues, or in his underwear.
– A protrusion coming out of the anus: If the hemorrhoids exceed a certain size, they may come out of the anus, causing pain and irritation in this area.
3- Thrombosed hemorrhoids:
It is not a third type of hemorrhoid, but it can be considered a complication of the previous two types, as it occurs when blood clots inside the dilated veins, causing more severe symptoms.
– Severe, unbearable pain.
– Bloating and swelling of the anus.
– Inflammation and irritation of the anal area.
– A hard, painful mass near the anus.
5- The question now revolves around the effective treatment for hemorrhoids?
– First, you must consult your doctor if you suffer from any problems related to hemorrhoids in order to obtain a treatment plan suitable for your condition. The treatment plan varies depending on the degree of the disease and the severity of symptoms. In advanced cases, treatment may require surgical intervention.
While in most simple cases, symptoms may disappear once you follow some healthy habits, such as:
– Increase fiber: The fiber found in vegetables facilitates bowel movement and reduces pressure and straining, which raises the pressure inside the hemorrhoids, causing them to swell and become enlarged.
– Exercising: Light exercise, such as brisk walking or light jogging, improves bowel movement and reduces pressure inside the hemorrhoids, thus relieving their congestion.
– Sitz bath: It is a basin containing an amount of warm water, in which the patient sits for about 20 minutes. The warm water works to relieve the itching and pain resulting from hemorrhoid inflammation, in addition to relieving contractions of the anal sphincter muscles, which helps relieve pain.
– Take your time: Hemorrhoid patients are advised to go to the toilet as soon as they feel the need to relieve themselves. Because holding in stool for a long time may lead to increased pressure inside the rectum. Which increases the severity of hemorrhoid symptoms.
– Local treatment: There are many preparations that contain a local anesthetic to relieve the pain resulting from hemorrhoids. You can also sit on a soft pillow to relieve the pain and discomfort resulting from sitting on hard surfaces.
– Surgical treatment: Surgery is considered the most appropriate treatment for cases of advanced hemorrhoids and the complications resulting from them, such as hemorrhoid thrombosis, severe bleeding, and anal fistula resulting from hemorrhoids.
