An elder relative of mine had to be operated for piles during my childhood. I was frightened to death at the prospect of his going through the green colored doors under a red colored bulb. I might have cried a lot visualizing the severe pain and agony he might have had to go through. But when he came out he was the least unhappy and instead he looked much better and comfortable than he was. Many people struggle with this nagging disorder called hemorrhoids or piles. Since they are not serious or harmful most of those affected tend to ignore the discomfort associated with them.
What are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids refer to the dilated (enlarged) veins which occur in and around the anus and the rectum which can be felt as lumps or knots. Hemorrhoids can occur outside the anus or the inside and may slip to the outside. Those which remain inside the rectum called internal hemorrhoids cannot be felt or seen. A lot of people may not experience much problems as hemorrhoids can heal by themselves. They are very not serious but are very troublesome as they cause problems in your daily life. Hemorrhoids are not to be neglected as they may indicate the possibility of colon or rectal cancer in some cases.
What are the causes?
- Pressure on the rectal and anal areas as in when you stand for a prolonged time.
- Poor bowel habits and exerting strain during bowel movements.
- Constipation
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Diarrhea
- Aging
- Heredity
- Other individual causes
Lack of sufficient fiber content in food is the main cause for constipation and hemorrhoids. The present age is dependent of frozen food and processed which lack enough fiber. Constipation exerts a lot of pressure on the rectum and anal veins and may cause rectal bleeding too. Diarrhea is another link to hemorrhoids while pregnant women may develop hemorrhoids due to the fetus exerting pressure on the anal area. Though hemorrhoids can self-heal they may get aggravated due to any of these factors like diarrhea, pregnancy, constipation and so on. These conditions may also lead to recurring hemorrhoids.
What are the symptoms?
- Discomfort
- Pain
- Itching
- Rectal bleeding
- Burning
The complications
The normal complications include pain, bleeding and itching. Some people may feel uncomfortable to sit as it may bleed soiling their clothes. What one should be careful about is thrombosis, a painful blood clot.
Care
It is necessary to take good care if you have hemorrhoids. Always remember not to strain during bowel movements and not to put pressure carelessly (eg: if you read while passing stool you may strain unnecessarily). Also, do not suppress the urge to go. Be clean and use a mild soap when you wash. Never rub the area but dab gently. It may help the itching if you keep the area dry by applying some talcum powder. If you have a painful hemorrhoid, try to sit in a hot tub for 10-20 mnts. Drink enough water and eat a lot of fiber.
Treatment options vary depending on the location of the hemorrhoid, their nature and the problems they cause. Litigation, Lasers, Infrared Photocoagulation and surgery are done successfully to remove hemorrhoids. It is important to seek medical help if you find blood in your stool. Hemorrhoids and many other medical conditions like Infection, Colon polyps, Peptic ulcers, Colorectal cancer etc. may lead to rectal bleeding.
-Aparna K V
Tags: herbal, aryuvedic, skin disorders, therapeutic, alternative medicine
