Due to age, pregnancy or illness, nearly three out of four adults will deal with hemorrhoids at some point in their lifetime. Many people consider hemorrhoids to be embarrassing, but why should it be when so many other people suffer from it? It’s true that hemorrhoids can be extremely irritating. However thankfully, for most people it is a harmless condition and can be dealt with quickly and easily. A very wide variety of treatment options have been developed to handle the annoyance of hemorrhoids.
Are Hemorrhoids a Disease??
Hemorrhoids are both extremely common and usually harmless, and are a condition caused by constant pressure on the lower rectum and anus. This constant pressure can lead to swollen veins either inside the rectum (known as “internal hemorrhoids”) or around the outside of the anus (known as “external hemorrhoids”). There are certain cases where a hemorrhoid may clot, leading to a condition known as a thrombosed hemorrhoid. While this can be extremely painful, it is not life threatening and can be easily treated by being drained by a healthcare professional.
Hemorrhoid symptoms may include:
- Itching or slight irritation around the anus
- Pain or discomfort during bowel movements
- Swelling or a lump around the anus that is painful when pressure is applied
- Slight painless bleeding during bowel movements
What Causes a Hemorrhoid?
There are many different reasons why an individual may develop hemorrhoids, either due to a medical issue, lifestyle habits, bowel health or pregnancy. Having a greater understanding of why you may be at risk for hemorrhoids can help you protect yourself against developing this irritating condition.
- Postpartum hemorrhoids- Increased pressure on the veins within your rectum and anus due to pregnancy can leave you vulnerable to developing hemorrhoids.
- Age- With age, the tissue around the anus and rectum may weaken, leading to less support for veins in this region and a greater risk for hemorrhoids.
- Chronic diarrhea or constipation- A lack of fiber within your diet can lead to frequent constipation, increasing risk for developing hemorrhoids. Those who suffer from IBS, Crohn’s or Celiac disease may also face frequent episodes of diarrhea, which can lead to more pressure on anal and rectal veins from constant straining.
- Obesity- Individuals with a higher body weight may be more likely to develop hemorrhoids, as pressure from a heavier body weight may place a strain on rectal veins.
Treatment Options for Hemorrhoids
If your hemorrhoids do not seem to be healing themselves with time and certain lifestyle changes, it may be beneficial to consider various treatment options for reducing the severity and frequency of your hemorrhoids.
- Infrared Photocoagulation Therapy (IRC)- For small to medium sized internal hemorrhoids, IRC treatment may be the most effective. Through the use of an infrared light, a doctor will create scar tissue that cuts off blood flow to the hemorrhoid, causing it to disappear.
- External Hemorrhoid Thrombectomy- Involves a small incision used to drain a clotted hemorrhoid, leading to instant relief.
- Rubber Band Ligation- For this procedure used on internal hemorrhoids, a doctor will place two small rubber bands at the base of the hemorrhoid, cutting off blood flow and causing the hemorrhoid to slowly heal.
- Sclerotherapy- A doctor will inject a small amount of solution into the hemorrhoid, causing it to shrink and heal, and while it may sound invasive, this procedure tends to be painless.