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What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids, or piles, are inflamed veins in your lower rectum or your anus. It typically occurs when the vein walls in your rectum or anus become so thin that the veins bulge or protrude. A hemorrhoid can occur within your rectum (internally) or on your anus (externally).
Hemorrhoids are not uncommon. In fact, almost three out of four adults will have hemorrhoids from time to time. In some cases, a blood clot will form in the hemorrhoid (thrombosed hemorrhoid) and can cause pain.
What Causes Hemorrhoids?
Reasons for why a hemorrhoid could occur include:
- Family history of hemorrhoids
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Straining during bowel movements
- Straining too hard to perform a physical activity like lifting weights
- Standing or sitting for long periods of time
- Aging
- Chronic constipation
- Chronic diarrhea
What Are The Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids?
Symptoms of experiencing hemorrhoids vary depending on the location of the hemorrhoid, but commonly include:
- Pain during bowel movements
- Itching around your anus
- Bright red blood in your stool
- Pain and/or swelling around your anus
- Pink, blue or purple bumps protruding around your anus
- Pain around your anus while performing physical activities
What Are The Treatments For Hemorrhoids?
Your physician may prescribe medications or suggest home remedies to relieve the symptoms. The common treatments for hemorrhoids include:
- High Fiber Diet
- Maintain a clean anal region
- Don’t use dry toilet paper
- Ice packs to reduce anal swelling
- Topical cream
- Drain a clotted hemorrhoid (thrombosis)
- Rubber band ligation
- Sclerotherapy
- Coagulation
- Surgery
- Hemorrhoid stapling
- Tub baths several times a day in warm water
- Treating constipation or cause of the hemorrhoids