Copyright 2006 Anne Wolski
Hemorrhoids occur when the veins is the rectum become swollen
and cause irritation. Hemorrhoids, in most instances, are a
minor medical problem. They can be uncomfortable and painful and
can cause much embarrassment to the sufferer. However, they are
easy to treat and are often cured without too much pain.
Hemorrhoids are often referred to as piles, a term that is
applied to a number of different conditions of the anal canal.
Most commonly, however, it refers to hemorrhoids. It is also
used to describe anal fissures or tears, clotted external
hemorrhoids, and flaps of extra skin or skin tags on the anus.
The rectum is connected to the outside by a short tube called
the anal canal which is the last part of the large intestine.
The first part of this canal is lined with mucous membrane and
the latter part is lined with skin which is very sensitive to
pain. This canal is circled by a ring of muscle which is tightly
contracted but relaxes to allow a bowel movement. This muscle is
called the anal sphincter.
Hemorrhoids can be internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids
are in the higher part of the anal canal. The veins swell and
continue to increase in size over a period of years. They may be
caused by prolonged straining to pass bowel motions and can be
exacerbated by pregnancy. They are usually characterized by
bright red bleeding that occurs at the end of passing a motion
and they are usually relatively painless. If the hemorrhoids
become bigger, they may come out of the anal canal and can be
quite painful because of being strangulated or squeezed by a
tight anal canal.
An anal fissure is a split in the anal canal, possibly caused by
straining when constipated. This causes extreme pain when
passing bowel motions and may be so bad that the person fears
passing a motion. Often, these fissures heal of their own accord
but sometimes a minor operation may be required.
External piles or hemorrhoids are caused when a blood vessel
bursts just under the surface of the skin near the edge of the
anal canal causing severe pain during and after the passing of a
bowel motion. Sometime later, a painful lump appears that
becomes red, sore, and inflamed. These are sometimes referred to
as thrombosed piles.
Skin tags around the anal canal are not uncommon or painful but
can cause problems with personal hygiene. They are often
diagnosed and treated as external hemorrhoids but treatment is
not really required.
Another condition that is sometimes wrongfully diagnosed as
hemorrhoids is a condition known as anal fistula. The main
symptom is a discharge of fluid, often like pus, but there is
seldom much pain, bleeding or a lump. This condition usually
appears as a result of an abscess in the lining of the anal
canal, causing an abnormal connection between the outer skin of
the anal canal and the inside of the canal. This causes
secretions to leak out through the rectum. Treatment of internal
hemorrhoids can take several different forms. They can be
injected with a substance that makes them shrivel up if they are
only small. Another method of treatment is by shrinking the
hemorrhoids through a process of freezing, using a cryoprobe.
Yet another method is to apply tiny rubber bands to cut off the
supply of blood to the hemorrhoids.
There are some home treatments that are worth noting as they can
be very helpful. These are taking a warm bath with a handful of
salt dissolved in it if the hemorrhoids prolapse or appear
externally as lumps. Alternatively, if the hemorrhoids become
strangulated, you can apply a plastic bag of crushed ice to the
enlarged hemorrhoids to ease the pain.
A diet high in fibre is very important to keep the
gastrointestinal system working well and to avoid the discomfort
of hemorrhoids as well as assisting in the general wellbeing of
your body.
About the author:
Anne Wolski has worked in the health and welfare industry for
more than 30 years. She is a co-director of
http://www.magnetic-health-online.com an information portal with
many interesting medical articles and also of
http://www.pharmacybyweb.com which has online physicians who can
help you with any questions you may have.
