Hemorrhoids a painful condition of the bowels: Symptoms, Causes, and Risk Factors
Haemorrhoids is a clinical condition caused due dilation of the veins around the anus, causing distension of the veins. It is a very painful condition usually because of chronic constipation however, it is also occasionally caused due to chronic diarrhea. Passing stool becomes very painful and difficult because of hemorrhoid.
Hemorrhoids are categorized under four degrees, by their clinical representation:
- First degree occurs with very little bleeding.
- In second degree there is slight prolapse during the passage of stool which retracts back without any manual retraction after the passage of stool.
- Third-degree hemorrhoids have prominent prolapse of the blood vessel which requires manual retraction.
- In Fourth degree of haemorrhoids, the prolapse is permanent.
Hemorrhoids are either internal Haemorrhoids or external hemorrhoids which completely depends on the location of the hemorrhoids. If there is bulging of blood vessels above the pectinate line it is termed internal hemorrhoids but if the bulging of the blood vessel is below the pectinate line is called external hemorrhoids.
Symptoms:
Many people with hemorrhoids remain asymptomatic and do not know that they have developed hemorrhoids. People with symptoms experience the following symptoms:
- Bleeding during or after the passage of stool. The blood will be bright red.
- Itching and burning at the anus.
- Pain during or after the passage of stool
- A sensation of a lump hanging while passing stool.
- Mucous discharge after passing stool
- Soreness, redness and swelling around the anus.
- Pain while sitting
Causes:
The exact cause of hemorrhoids is not known, but the factors that increase the pressure in the lower rectum are considered to cause hemorrhoids. The factors are:
- Straining too much to pass stool.
- Sitting too long.
- Pregnancy
- Chronic constipation or chronic diarrhea
- Low fiber rich diet
- Injury to the Spinal cord
- Anal intercourse
- Family history
- Poor posture
Risk factors:
- Pregnant women
- Old aged people
- People who sit for long hours
- People having chronic constipation or chronic diarrhea
- People having diabetes
- People having high blood pressure
- Obese people
- People with chronic cough
- Family history
- People who lift heavy weight regularly
Complications:
The complications of hemorrhoids include:
- Anemia
- Strangulated hernia
- Infection
- Fecal inconsistency
- Anal fistula
- Increased risk of developing bowel cancer.
Lifestyle tips to manage symptoms:
The following tips can be followed to manage symptoms:
- Eat fiber-rich food.
- Drink plenty of fluids and water.
- Avoid excessive straining in the toilet.
- Go for walks daily
- Exercise regularly.
- Avoid sitting for long periods.
- Maintain a healthy weight.
- Control blood pressure
- Control blood sugar level.
- Take sitz bath to relieve symptoms
- Apply ice to reduce inflammation
- Maintain proper hygiene around the anus to prevent complications.
- Avoid medication that causes constipation.
- Use the toilet as soon as possible when you feel the urge to defecate.