What do Doctors call this Condition?

Varicosities in the venous plexus

What is this Condition?

Hemorrhoids are painful, enlarged, bleeding veins in the region of the anus. They can be inside or protrude from the rectum. This condition is most common in adults between the ages of 20 and 50.

What Causes it?

Hemorrhoids probably result from increased pressure in the veins around the anus. Conditions that often coexist with hemorrhoids include:

• jobs requiring prolonged standing or sitting

• straining due to constipation, diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, or vomitIng

• heart failure

• liver disease (such as cirrhosis, amebic abscesses, or hepatitis)

• alcoholism

• anal or rectal infection

• loss of muscle tone due to old age, rectal surgery, pregnancy, or episiotomy (with childbirth)

• anal intercourse.

What are the Symptoms?

Hemorrhoids usually cause painless, intermittent bleeding that can be seen in bowel movements. Bright-red blood appears on the stool or on toilet paper when the fragile covering of the hemorrhoid is broken. First-degree hemorrhoids may cause itching. Second-degree hemorrhoids, which bulge out of the rectum during bowel movements and then return, are usually painless. Third-degree hemorrhoids cause constant discomfort. They bulge larger with any abdominal pressure and must be pushed back by hand.

How are they Diagnosed?

External hemorrhoids are visible around the anus. Your doctor will use a scope to identifY internal hemorrhoids and rule out rectal polyps.

How are they Treated?

Treatment depends on the person’s general health and the severity of the condition. Generally, treatment involves easing pain, reducing swelling and congestion, and regulating bowel habits. Other nonsurgical treatments include reducing hemorrhoids by hand or with a laser, or injecting a solution to produce scar tissue that keeps hemorrhoids from bulging. Hemorrhoidectomy is the surgical procedure used to treat more serious hemorrhoids - for example, those causing bleeding, intolerable pain, or infection.

What can a Person with Hemorrhoids do?

• Relieve constipation by adding more raw vegetables, fruit, and whole grain cereal to your diet. If your doctor agrees, use a stool softener.

• Spend less time sitting on the toilet to reduce pressure in the veins around the anus.

• Use local anesthetics (lotions, creams, suppositories) to reduce the swelling and pain of hemorrhoids. Astringents and a cold compress followed by a warm sitz bath or thermal pack are also helpful.

• If your doctor prescribes a bulk medication, such as Metamucil, take it about 1 hour after the evening meal, to ensure a daily bowel movement.

• If you have surgery, keep the wound clean to prevent infection and irritation. Be gentle when washing the wound and avoid harsh soaps. Use white toilet paper (chemicals in colored paper can irritate the skin).

• Don’t use stool softeners after surgery. A firm stool is a natural dilator and will help prevent scar tissue from tightening the canal.