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What are hemorrhoids?

The term hemorrhoids refers to a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed.

Hemorrhoids may result from straining to move stool. Other contributing factors include pregnancy, aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea, and anal intercourse.

Hemorrhoids are either inside the anus?internal?or under the skin around the anus?external.

What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?

Many anorectal problems, including fissures, fistulae, abscesses, or irritation and itching, also called pruritus ani, have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids usually are not dangerous or life threatening. In most cases, hemorrhoidal symptoms will go away within a few days.

Although many people have hemorrhoids, not all experience symptoms. The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl. However, an internal hemorrhoid may protrude through the anus outside the body, becoming irritated and painful. This is known as a protruding hemorrhoid.

Symptoms of external hemorrhoids may include painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus that results when a blood clot forms. This condition is known as a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.

In addition, excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus may cause irritation with bleeding and/or itching, which may produce a vicious cycle of symptoms. Draining mucus may also cause itching.

How common are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are common in both men and women. About half of the population has hemorrhoids by age 50. Hemorrhoids are also common among pregnant women. The pressure of the fetus on the abdomen, as well as hormonal changes, cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. These vessels are also placed under severe pressure during childbirth. For most women, however, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy are a temporary problem.

How are hemorrhoids diagnosed?

A thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis by the doctor is important any time bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool occurs. Bleeding may also be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer.

The doctor will examine the anus and rectum to look for swollen blood vessels that indicate hemorrhoids and will also perform a digital rectal exam with a gloved, lubricated finger to feel for abnormalities.

Closer evaluation of the rectum for hemorrhoids requires an exam with an anoscope, a hollow, lighted tube useful for viewing internal hemorrhoids, or a proctoscope, useful for more completely examining the entire rectum.

Illustration reprinted with permission from the American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. Artist: Russell K. Pearl, M.D. (http://digestive.niddk.nih.gov/ddiseases/pubs/hemorrhoids/images/Hemorrhoid.gif)

To rule out other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding, the doctor may examine the rectum and lower colon, or sigmoid, with sigmoidoscopy or the entire colon with colonoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are diagnostic procedures that also involve the use of lighted, flexible tubes inserted through the rectum.

What is the treatment?

Medical treatment of hemorrhoids is aimed initially at relieving symptoms. Measures to reduce symptoms include
> tub baths several times a day in plain, warm water for about 10 minutes
> application of a hemorrhoidal cream or suppository to the affected area for a limited time

Preventing the recurrence of hemorrhoids will require relieving the pressure and straining of constipation. Doctors will often recommend increasing fiber and fluids in the diet. Eating the right amount of fiber and drinking six to eight glasses of fluid?not alcohol?result in softer, bulkier stools. A softer stool makes emptying the bowels easier and lessens the pressure on hemorrhoids caused by straining. Eliminating straining also helps prevent the hemorrhoids from protruding.

Good sources of fiber are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. In addition, doctors may suggest a bulk stool softener or a fiber supplement such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel).

In some cases, hemorrhoids must be treated endoscopically or surgically. These methods are used to shrink and destroy the hemorrhoidal tissue. The doctor will perform the procedure during an office or hospital visit.

A number of methods may be used to remove or reduce the size of internal hemorrhoids. These techniques include

Rubber band ligation. A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid inside the rectum. The band cuts off circulation, and the hemorrhoid withers away within a few days.

Sclerotherapy. A chemical solution is injected around the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid.

Infrared coagulation. A special device is used to burn hemorrhoidal tissue.

Hemorrhoidectomy. Occasionally, extensive or severe internal or external hemorrhoids may require

admin answers:

Actually, some animals can get hemorrhoids. The link below advertises "natural remedies" for pet hemorrhoids! I kid you not.

Humans, and pet animals, are more prone to hemorrhoids because of their diet. If you're out eating a "natural" diet, tons of insoluble fibre etc., you don't have to strain as hard to pass waste. Humans are especially prone because of our tendency to be upright, and to sit; these positions limit drainage from the rectal veins.

admin answers:

Hmm maybe ur just irregular. If u have fruit, i suggest u eat at least three peices right now (except for a banana). This should help make ur bm more normal. All i can say is, just eat a lot of fruit everyday. Ive had problems like this b4 and fruit, is the only thing that solves em.

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It could be, but it sounds more like constipation. Make sure to drink liquids and slowly increase your fiber!

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Piles, or hemorrhoids, are areas in the anal canal where the tissue, which contains lots of blood vessels, has become swollen. They can be internal, occurring inside the anus, or external, when they can be seen and felt on the outside of the anus. When visible they look like round pink swellings, the size of a pea or a grape. Piles are common in pregnant women, but are rare in children.

Piles are classified according to their position. First-degree piles remain inside the rectum or anal canal. Second-degree piles protrude (or prolapse) from the anus when the bowels are opened, but return of their own accord afterwards. Third-degree piles are similar, but only return inside when pushed back. Fourth-degree piles hang permanently outside the anus.

Piles can usually be treated at home. The most important element in encouraging existing piles to clear up is to avoid constipation. By having regular bowel movements, and avoiding straining, stools pass easily and do not put pressure on the blood vessels in the anal area.

Eating plenty of fibre-rich foods such as fruit, vegetables and wholegrain cereals (eg brown rice, wholemeal bread), and drinking plenty of fluids, especially water, should keep bowel movements soft.

Avoid rich and spicy food, non-vegtarian food,strict no to pickles

It may help to take a fibre supplement or mild laxatives which soften bowel motions.

Homeopathy greatly helps in curing piles specially the 1st 2nd and 3rd degree piles and no surgery should be thought of till homeopathy has been tried. Some of the most commonly used medicines in treating piles are:
Hamamelis ?Q: very very useful in controlling bleeding caused due to piles
Aesculus: hip-piles with acute pain in the back
Collinsonia: chronic painful bleeding piles with pain as if sticks were placed in the rectum.
Graphitis: for piles and fissures with hard stools
Ratanhia: pain as if splinters of glass were sticking in the rectum
Other commonly used medicines are Sulphur, Nux. Vomica, silicea etc.

Head Remedy is:

Sulphur 30 & Nux. Vomica 30
Sulphur 30 to be take 3-4 drops in 1/4th glass of water; preferably empty stomached; early in the morning.
Nux. Vomica 30 to be take 3-4 drops in 1/4th glass of water; preferably empty stomached; 30-45 minutes after dinner/before going to bed.

Write for more help .. Cheers!!!

admin answers:

Hemorrhoids, which are also called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins in your anus and rectum. They may result from straining during a bowel movement. Apart from surgery for this you can apply some creams, which will give you only temporary relief. HEDENSA is once such cream available in India and you can apply.

Hemorrhoids can develop from any increase in pressure in the veins in the lower rectum. Common sources of pressure and hemorrhoid causes include:

-Constipation and the accompanying straining
-Diarrhea and the continuous expulsion of loose stools
-Sitting or standing for a long time, especially sitting on the toilet
-Obesity

You can also temporarily relieve the mild pain, swelling and inflammation of most hemorrhoidal flare-ups with the following self-care measures:

- Use topical treatments. Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository containing hydrocortisone, or use pads containing witch hazel or a topical numbing agent.
- Keep the anal area clean. Bathe (preferably) or shower daily to cleanse the skin around your anus gently with warm water. Soap isn't necessary and may aggravate the problem. Gently drying the area with a hair dryer after bathing can minimize moisture, which can cause irritation.
- Soak regularly in a warm bath. Do this several times daily.
Apply cold. Apply ice packs or cold compresses on the anus to relieve swelling.
- Use a sitz bath with warm water. A sitz bath fits over the toilet. You can get one at a medical supply store or some pharmacies.
Don't use dry toilet paper. Instead, to help keep the anal area clean after a bowel movement, use moist towelettes or wet toilet paper that doesn't contain perfume or alcohol.
- Take oral medications. You can use acetaminophen (Tylenol, others), aspirin or ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) temporarily to help relieve your discomfort.
- These self-care measures may relieve the symptoms, but they won't make the hemorrhoid disappear. See your doctor if you don't get relief in a few days, or sooner if you have severe pain or bleeding.
- Avoid constipation as it is the only main reason for getting piles.
- Also avoid intake of spicy foods. Take fibre rich food.
- Drink plenty of liquids, waters and it will help a lot.

I think you can avoid and have less suffering from Pile and also cure it in long run. -

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You could try a complementary therapy such as Chinese herbal medicine or homeopathy.
I found Gillian Mckeiths book, You are What you eat, really good. There's a section on piles with natural remedies and what to eat and what to avoid. Try and avoid wheat, dairy, red meat and highly processed foods. It is really hard to do, but it does pay off. I also follow G.Mckeith's list of foods which are gentle on the stomach (also in that book), its really helped.

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Welcome to pregnancy. It happens to a lot of women. I had the same problem my last pregnancy. If they are making you uncomfortable go and buy some witch hazel to dab on the areas. They can get bigger from the strain of the baby on your bowels, and constipation/straining during a bowel movement can also aggravate them. Try to make sure you drink plenty of water, eat a lot of fiber, and if they get too bad you can get a stool softener (NOT a laxative) to help you to be able to have a bowel movement a lot easier.

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If it is that serious better get it checked up at a good hospital if neglected could lead to more serious complications.

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It does sound like Piles.You are very concerned that is clear to see.Dont wait take him to the Doctors right now.Am sure the child will be Ok but how is Mum

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I'm sorry for the loss of your two cats.
It's unusual for two cats to just die like that. There are a lot of people that really hate cats and would rather see them dead. I suppose I would be suspicious, but you have no proof. Keep your animals inside and check with other neighbors to see if any of their pets have died recently. Pay attention to what goes on across the street. You might want to talk to the neighbors that have a backyard bordering these neighbors and see if they see anything suspicious.

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Pointless

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She needs to go to a doctor asap.

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I say that Colonoscopy is probably the best method to find out about those 2.

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Sitz baths, sitting in a tub of very warm water; emollients applied after a BM, Vaseline Intensive Care being effective and inexpensive; Preparation H.; mineral oil and other stool softeners plus a high fiber diet make defecation more comfortable. All these give temporary relief.

Unfortunately, many hemorrhoids recur and become more bothersome so that the patient opts for surgery. I'm told that newer techniques often allow for more rapid post-op recovery. A proctologist may be your best option.

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Try soaking in warm to hot baths every night. It works a little better if salt is added to the water. Out of all the treatments, this one worked the best.

If you cannot get to a bath, sometimes sitting on a heating pad helps.