Hemorrhoids
How to Confirm Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be diagnosed early with proper tests because the painful nature of hemorrhoids makes most people seek remedy for it fast. However, because of the embarrassing nature of the disease, there is a tendency among some people suffering from this dreadful condition to postpone going to the doctor and getting the tests done to confirm hemorrhoids. It is strongly recommended that those having the basic hemorrhoids symptoms such as itching, burning, or bleeding around the anal area get tests for hemorrhoids done by their doctor.
Anoscopy is the most common test done to diagnose hemorrhoids. An anoscope is a short instrument that is used to hold open the anal canal and the lower area of the rectum and examine it. It has got a light at one end, which can enable the doctor to clearly see the blood vessels in the area and how much they are swollen. About two inches of the instrument is inserted into the anal area to diagnose hemorrhoids. The procedure is relatively uncomplicated and it is not painful.
Another medical procedure used to diagnose hemorrhoids is proctoscopy, where the instrument proctoscope is used to examine the anal cavity. This diagnostic procedure is basically similar to that done with an anoscope. The main difference is that a proctoscope is able to probe further up into the rectal area. This is used when the surgeon suspects internal hemorrhoids. Since anal bleeding could be due to reasons other than hemorrhoids, proctoscopy becomes necessary to eliminate other possible diseases.
Another test for hemorrhoids diagnosis is sigmoidoscopy. This too involves inserting a tube into the rectal area and in this case it goes up to the sigmoid area of the colon. The instrument used for this, the sigmoidoscope, is more flexible than an anoscope or protoscope, and the doctor can easily manipulate it through the slight curve of the colon. This too has a light at one end that helps the doctor to see the hemorrhoids and any other conditions around the anal area that could be aiding the development of hemorrhoids.
Sigmoidoscopy is a slightly more elaborate procedure than an anoscopy or a protoscopy to diagnose hemorrhoids. For this diagnosis to work, the patient’s colon and rectum should be clean and empty. So sigmoidoscopy requires that the anal canal is emptied out with a laxative. If complete emptying has not been managed by laxatives, a patient may sometimes have to be given an enema for the test to work properly.
There are plenty of tests today that can be done to diagnose hemorrhoids. Those who have even minimal symptoms should not postpone consulting a doctor and getting the diagnostic tests done. Proper hemorrhoids treatment can be provided only after proper diagnosis. Some of the tests may be slightly uncomfortable, but the comfort you will receive as a result of correct diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhoids would easily offset the inconveniences which can be caused by this dreadful condition.
In addition to medicines which can be prescribed by your doctor, there are some effective hemorrhoids home treatments that you can also use.
Different Varieties of Hemorrhoids
For people suffering from hemorrhoids, life can be a constant pain. Some people also suffer from bleeding hemorrhoids or strong rectal pain. Although a you can easily detect if you have hemorrhoids by inspecting yourself, your doctor can do some tests and provide you with a proper and accurate diagnosing and recommended treatment.
However, due to the embarrassing nature of this problem, many people are not keen to go and see a doctor about this problem. Also, the fact that there are many good and effective home cures for hemorrhoids means that some people are able to get rid of their hemorrhoids at home without having to go to the doctor.
There are different types of hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids, as the name signifies, is the type of hemorrhoids that occurs in the internal part of the anus, in the rectal area. Within the anal canal itself, the position of the hemorrhoids may vary. The amount of bleeding and discomfort a hemorrhoids cause is substantially influenced by their location.
Internal hemorrhoids can be of four types. The first degree internal hemorrhoids are the ones that are located in the anus. These do not relocate into any other area and are the least troublesome type. The second degree of hemorrhoids will protrude out of the anus when bowel is moved, resulting in bleeding. This type of hemorrhoids will move itself back once the bowel movement is over. The third degree of hemorrhoids will also protrude out of the anus during the bowel movement, but will not go back on its own after the process. The patient will have to push it back herself or himself. The fourth degree of hemorrhoids, the worst type, will always remain protruding, during bowel movement and even otherwise. This cannot be pushed back even manually.
External hemorrhoids, as the name implies, will be located externally. These are on the outside and generally under the skin. In the case of external hemorrhoids veins around the anus become inflamed and swollen. When external hemorrhoids develop blood clots within them, it is then known as thrombosed hemorrhoids. Itching, burning, and irritation are very common and recurrent symptoms of external hemorrhoids. There could often be bleeding as well. However, bleeding is a symptom of all types of hemorrhoids, whether external or internal.
Rectal pain, itching, burning, and irritation in the anal area, and bleeding are the common hemorrhoids symptoms. It is rarely that hemorrhoids go unnoticed because symptoms are quite prominent and discomforting that patients are easily prompted into action, and seek diagnosis and treatment fast. If you have even the slightest of hemorrhoids symptoms, it is strongly advised to seek medical advice immediately. Doctors and health care providers can diagnose hemorrhoids easily and provide the patient with timely treatment that will ensure that the condition is not aggravated.
Hemorrhoids area fully treatable condition and with timely medication most patients get complete cure. There are home remedies for hemorrhoids and over the counter drugs. There are also hemorrhoids treatments that doctors prescribe after examination and there is also surgery for hemorrhoids.
Since there are many effective home remedies for hemorrhoids, no one should put up with the pain and discomfort that can be caused by this dreadful condition.
Analysis of the Problem of Hemorrhoids
Millions of people suffer from some form of hemorrhoids. Some statistics from previous studies indicate that about 50% of those over the age of 50 suffer from hemorrhoids. However, today hemorrhoids affect people of all age groups – this medical condition is no longer confined to the older people.
Hemorrhoids can be quite painful – they also cause a huge amount of discomfort. Due to the embarrassing nature of this condition, some people do not seek hemorrhoids treatment and they continue to suffer from this problem. In order to seek fast treatment for hemorrhoids, it is ideal that people know what causes hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are also referred to piles. Hemorrhoids are, in fact, the problem of varicose veins appearing around the anal area. When veins on the legs become swollen and painful, we refer to it as varicose veins. Hemorrhoids are also cause by bulging and inflamed veins, but here the swollen veins are situated around the anus or into the anal canal or rectum.
The pressure put on these veins because of different reasons such as weight and the location of these swollen veins that causes them to swell and hurt. In some types of hemorrhoids, the veins grow and thicken, forming what can appear to be piles of flesh around the anus.
Hemorrhoids can be external hemorrhoids or internal hemorrhoids. The former are located externally, around the anus, and under the skin. The latter type is located inside, in the anal canal or further up in the rectum. It is only its location that gives them the name of hemorrhoids and results in the specific hemorrhoids symptoms.
The pressure that is exerted on these blood vessels causes them to bleed. Bleeding from the anus is the most common hemorrhoids symptom. Other hemorrhoids symptoms are itching, burning, rectal pain, irritation, irregular bowel movement, difficulty for bowel movements, etc. While any of these symptoms can definitely be due to hemorrhoids, confirmation has to be sought from a doctor as some of these could be due to sundry other causes like digestive problems or an infection.
Pregnant women are especially prone to hemorrhoids. The natural weight gain that occurs during this stage creates a setting that is highly conducive to the formation of hemorrhoids. Another set of people who may easily develop hemorrhoids are those who have regular constipation problems. In their case, the continuous pressure, that the anal muscles are put to, can easily lead to hemorrhoids.
Quite often, hemorrhoids symptoms may vanish without any form of medical aid at all. Some other cases of hemorrhoids may respond well even to over-the-counter medicines. However some cases may warrant immediate medical attention, and may even require surgery to be cured.
One of the problems with hemorrhoids is that even those that have subsided on their own may reappear after some time. While cure for hemorrhoids is available, it is a problem that has a tendency to recur. Having a basic knowledge about the reasons for hemorrhoids, and about hemorrhoids treatment, will help a person to prevent them better.
