Removing Hemorrhoids

Facts about Removing Hemorrhoids

Removing hemorrhoids is never a pleasant experience. There is little to love about hemorrhoids and everything to be cautious about. Hemorrhoid (also sometimes referred to as Piles) is the name given to the condition where people suffer from swollen or inflamed veins that have developed around the rectum. In severe cases, these swollen veins are typically painful and cause great discomfort to the people that have been affected with it.

Contrary to what many people might think, the occurrence of hemorrhoids is actually very common. Statistics reveal that about 4% of the people in the United States alone have suffered from this condition. This means that as much as 10 million people have suffered from hemorrhoids within the country alone. Many of these cases however are successfully treated with the option of surgery.

Hemorrhoids can develop in a number of ways. All of these are however related with the unhealthy action imposed by extreme pressure on the veins and muscle of the rectum. It is this unwanted pressure that causes the swelling—and in extreme cases—rupturing or clotting of the hemorrhoid causing blood vessels.

Some of the common instances where this build up of pressure might occur include sitting on a chair or toilet for too long, straining the bowel muscles during digestive disorders and the effect of persistent rectal pressure caused by obesity. Hemorrhoids are also very common amongst pregnant women because of the direct pressure which their rectal veins are made to suffer. The likelihood of hemorrhoids developing increases during childbirth and reduces rapidly after it has been completed.

It is easy to identify if a person is suffering from hemorrhoids. The condition is typically characterized by rectal bleeding which is evident in the stool. People also experience a sensation of irritation, burning and sometimes itching around the rectum. In severe cases of hemorrhoids, the swelling of the veins can actually be felt as lumps or a bulge around the rectal opening.

Occurrence of Hemorrhoids

The condition of hemorrhoids can be grouped into two different types depending on the nature of their occurrence and severity. These are internal and external hemorrhoids.

Internal Hemorrhoids: As the name suggests, internal hemorrhoids are ruptures or swollen vein that occur within the pathway of the anus. They are not typically painful in the beginning and as a result of this, many people fail to diagnose or detect it. The option of removing hemorrhoids is therefore not a very pressing one at this stage. Internal hemorrhoids can however quickly develop into a more serious condition if consistent rectal pressure forces them to prolapse outside the anus. In situations such as these, people are urged to seek immediate attention in order to prevent an even more serious condition referred to as strangulated hemorrhoids.
External Hemorrhoids: External hemorrhoids are formed when a prolapsed hemorrhoid becomes cut from its blood supply. When this occurs, the resultant clot is typically extremely painful and might sometimes require the actions of surgery for its successful removal and treatment. There are many other methods which can be used in removing hemorrhoids. The use of suppositories or ointments might sometimes also be employed.

Prevention of Hemorrhoids

Since hemorrhoids are triggered by the effect of pressure on the rectal veins, the best ways of preventing its occurrence is to adopt measures that reduce or remove this risk. This includes drinking more water during the day and avoiding the lifting of heavy things. A diet which contains more fiber is also likely to reduce the occurrence of digestive disorders such as constipation. Good sources of this are vegetables, fruits and whole grain meals. Finally, it is not advisable to sit on a chair or strain on the toilet for too long. A good way of ensuring this is to take a short break from sitting every 40 to 60 minutes. Moving around in your chair will also help to relieve the pressure.