Hemorrhoids- Its Okay to Talk About Them

People may not enjoy talking about hemorrhoids, mainly because of their location, but they are a fact of life in about half the people over fifty years old at one time or another. Hemorrhoids are blood vessels in and around the anus that have swollen because of pressure from bowel movements. Hemorrhoids can occur inside of the anus or under the skin surrounding the anus, and although some present no symptoms, others can cause quite a bit of discomfort. No less than Hall of Famer George Brett of the Kansas City Royals almost had to miss the 1980 World Series with perhaps the world's most famous case of hemorrhoids.

The cause of hemorrhoids is simple- too much pressure from the straining of going to the bathroom. This pressure in the rectum makes the blood to stretch the vein walls, creating inflammation and sometimes rupturing them. Common among pregnant women due to the pressure brought about by the fetus, hemorrhoids are not a serious health condition and usually go away after a few days. However, the itching, bleeding, and pain that hemorrhoids can cause certainly make them unwelcome. There are two kinds of hemorrhoids; internal hemorrhoids develop from the straining and pressure from passing stool, external ones form on the outside of the anus.

Internal hemorrhoids are painless and unseen, only indicated by the blood that shows up on your toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. Because you do not have pain sensitive nerve fibers in the internal membrane that lines the anus, this type of hemorrhoid generates no pain, unless it is somehow pushed through the anal opening. It is then described as a prolapsed hemorrhoid, and can result in problems. A prolapsed hemorrhoid will sometimes only project out of the anus after a bowel movement, and retract by itself. Others have to be re-inserted manually, and still others, the most severe type of prolapsed hemorrhoid, called a strangulated or thrombosed prolapsed hemorrhoid are very sensitive, due to the fact they are larger and can contain a blood clot, and constantly keep coming out, even after being reinserted. While all of the prolapsed hemorrhoid types are not the most enchanting thing you have ever seen on your body, usually only the thrombosed prolapsed hemorrhoids are really painful.

The symptoms of hemorrhoids vary from some slight itching or burning to severe pain, depending on what kind that you are afflicted with. External hemorrhoids can be felt, and can become irritated and swollen, leading to pain while sitting and itching at other times. Rectal bleeding is the surest sign that you have developed hemorrhoids, but make sure that it is not from another source, such as a more serious condition such as anal cancer. Your physician will verify hemorrhoids with an exam of the region, as external hemorrhoids will be quite apparent. Internal hemorrhoids may require a closer examination with various instruments that allow a better look.

Hemorrhoids are often treatable at home. For mild cases, there are many over-the-counter topical creams and ointments on the market to bring relief from the itching and burning. For more severe cases, it is recommended to sit in a tub of a few inches of warm water for fifteen minutes after each bowel movement and three other times during the day. A sitz bath, which fits over your toilet, can be used for this purpose as well. This process will lessen pain and swelling, and it is important to always dry the skin around the anus completely to keep moisture to a minimum. If this is not practical, you can try ice or cold packs applied to the area to keep swelling down. Avoid the use of dry toilet paper, instead opting for moist towelettes that do not contain perfume or alcohol that can irritate your skin. Sometimes you may need to employ the use of an air donut cushion to sit on, to keep your bottom from coming in contact with another surface.

When hemorrhoids linger, more drastic steps may need to be taken. External hemorrhoids with blood clots can be treated by a doctor, who can eradicate the clot with an incision. While a simple procedure, the risk of infection means that you should never attempt this yourself. The pain will be alleviated greatly and your physician will properly bandage the area, with instructions on how to change the dressing at home for you. Prolapsed hemorrhoids that have become very troublesome can be reduced or removed through different means, such as injectable medicines, rubber bands that cut off the blood supply and cause them to die, or even laser surgery.

While there is no sure way to prevent hemorrhoids, there are some things that you can do to better your odds of avoiding them. Eat a number of high-fiber foods, such as fruits, grains, and vegetables, which will result in a softer stool and less straining when you try to pass it. Drink lots of fluids and think about using a fiber supplement like Metamucil or Citrucel. Do not sit or stand for long periods of time, as this can increase the pressure on the veins susceptible to hemorrhoids. Straining hard when you are on the toilet and holding your breath as you do so creates a great deal of pressure on these veins. Try going to the bathroom as soon as you feel like you need to, because the longer you wait, the dryer your stool can become, making it harder to pass.

For the record, George Brett had such painful hemorrhoids that he had to have surgery to remove them after Game Two of that World Series. Brett went on to hit a home run in the next contest and batted .375 in the six games, but his Royals lost to the Phillies. Another famous hemorrhoid sufferer was not so well embraced by the public. Napolean had them so bad that it was rumored he had to sit side-saddle at Waterloo!