Hemorrhoids are veins under the rectum or around the anus that are dilated or swollen.
They are caused by repeated pressure in the rectal or anal veins. This pressure usually
results from repeated straining to pass bowel movements. Rarely, they result from benign
or malignant tumors of the abdomen or rectum. The risk for getting hemorrhoids
increases with:
Constipation
Low dietary fiber intake
Pregnancy and delivery
Obesity
Symptoms
Symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
Rectal bleeding
Rectal tenderness and/or itching
Uncomfortable, painful bowel movements,
especially with straining
A lump that can be felt in the anus
A mucous discharge after a bowel movement
Hemorrhoids are common, and most people have some bleeding from them once in a while.
Though annoying and uncomfortable, hemorrhoids are seldom a serious health problem. Reasons
to seek medical treatment for hemorrhoids include:
The presence of a painful blood clot in the
hemorrhoid
Excessive blood loss
Infection
The need to rule out cancer of the rectum
or colon
If symptoms of hemorrhoids are not relieved with Self-Care
Tips listed below or with time, medical treatment may be necessary. This includes:
Cryosurgery, which freezes the affected
tissue
A chemical injection into an internal
hemorrhoid to shrink it
Electrical or laser heat or infrared light
to destroy the hemorrhoids
Surgery called hemorrhoidectomy. One type,
which requires general anesthesia, cuts out the hemorrhoids. Another, called ligation,
uses rubber bands that are placed tightly over the base of each hemorrhoid, causing it to
wither away.
Do you have severe rectal bleeding that is continuous or
associated with weakness or dizziness?  |
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Do you have rectal bleeding: Without bowel movements? That is heavy, dark red or turns brown? That lasts longer than two weeks despite
using Self-Care Tips? |
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| Do you have a hard lump where a hemorrhoid used to be? |
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| Does the pain you feel with the hemorrhoid last longer than a week
or is it severe? |
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Take daily measures to produce soft,
easily passed bowel movements such as:
Drink plenty of water and other fluids: at least 1 1/2-2 quarts a day.
Eat foods with good sources of dietary fiber such as whole grain or bran cereals
and breads, fresh vegetables, and fruits.
Eat prunes and/or drink prune juice.
If necessary add bran to your foods: about 3 to 4 tablespoons per day.
Exercise regularly.
Pass a bowel movement as soon as you feel the urge. If you wait and the urge goes
away, your stool could become dry and be
harder to pass.
Lose weight if you are overweight.
Don't strain to have a bowel movement.
Don't hold your breath when trying to pass
stool.
Keep the anal area clean.
Take warm baths.
Use a sitz bath with hot water. A sitz bath
device fits over the toilet. You can get one at a medical supply store or at some
pharmacies.
Use moist towelettes or wet (not dry)
toilet paper after a bowel movement.
Check with your doctor about using
over-the-counter products such as:
Stool softeners
Zinc oxide preparations. (Examples: Preparation H and Hemorid).
Medicated wipes such as Tucks
Medicated suppositories
Don't sit too much because it can restrict
blood flow around the anal area.
Don't sit too long on the toilet.
Don't read while on the toilet.
For itching or pain, put a cold compress on
the anus for 10 minutes up to 4 times a day.
HEALTH AT HOME - Your Complete Guide to Symptoms, Solutions, and Self-Care © 1999 by Don R. Powell. American Institute for Preventive Medicine.
Date updated 02/01/99