Hemeroids develop due to uncontrolled growth of varicose veins. A person having hemeroids suffers from physical discomforts like bleeding, anal itching, pain and even mental distress because of social embarrassment. Although hemeroids do not cause serious health problems, ignorance towards its existence can produce severe health complications.

Causes of hemeroids includes dietary irritants, mental stress, straining, sitting and standing for long hours, irregular and unhygienic bowel movement, obesity and even working in high temperature conditions.

The most common symptoms of hemeroids includes blood in the stool, a burning and itching sensation in the rectum, additional pressure required in passing stool, rectal pain and irritation.

Test/Diagnosis for Hemeroids: Most likely the doctor may just examine your rectum with a gloved finger or he may use a short, lighted scope to look inside the rectum to know if you have hemeroids.

External Hemeroid

Tuesday, March 24, 2009

external hemeroid picExternal hemeroid is the other type of hemeroid that still gives discomfort to the sufferers. Hemeroids are classified into two types based on its location mainly the internal hemeroid and the external hemeroid. And because its external, hemeroids can be pressed especially for long period of sitting thus it gives you pain. And because it is an external hemeroid, it sometime gives you hard time of cleaning your rectal area because of its bulging condition. Although pain is not associated to external hemeroid. You might notice streaks of blood on the toilet paper after straining to pass a stool as most common symptoms of external hemeroid.

Hemeroids are the result of an increase in pressure on the veins in the rectal area due to some disease or other physical condition. The increased pressure on the veins leads to swelling and a set of disturbing symptoms for hemeroids like pain, itching, irritation, and even bleeding as detailed below:

The symptoms of external hemeroid are much more obvious than those of internal hemeroids:

• Bleeding: Usually seen after bowel movement and a common symptom of hemeroids. There will be blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.
• Pain: External hemeroids are extremely painful when it becomes thrombosis external hemeroids. This is the common reason why external hemeroids are detected.
• Itching: The anus area may feel a little irritated and itchy. Do not scratch it even though the urge to do so is very strong.
• Lumps: Sensitive lumps around the anus are also an obvious symptom that you have external hemeroid.

The visible external hemeroid affliction is noticed by a bulge appearing from the rectum, which is normally accompanied by hemeroid symptoms stated above. Although external hemeroids can be felt as bulges or lump of tender skin that will form around the anus but they usually causes few of the symptoms and signs that are typical of internal hemeroids. This means that external hemeroids’ symptoms differ from internal hemeroids’.

However, external hemeroids can only cause problems when blood clots inside them and this situation is referred to as thrombosis external hemeroid. This condition really gives you pain. This occurs, because they are low in the anal canal and have little effect on the function of the anus, particularly the anal sphincter. An anal lump, caused by thrombosis of an external hemeroid can be painful because the area is supplied by somatic nerves and often requires medical attention.

Healing of external hemeroid could also be scarring and leave a skin tag protruding from the anus for the thrombosed hemeroid. And if the tag is large, it can irritate the anus thus make anal hygiene and cleaning difficult. Also instant action should be taken for treatment of external hemeroid because they can enlarge very rapidly and result in unpleasant surgical treatment.

Finding hemeroid relief is therefore the concern of every patient who happens to suffer from or another form of hemeroids. While medical treatments for external hemeroid are available for providing hemeroid relief, a number of natural and alternative methods for external hemeroid have also been found useful. Some of these methods are briefly described below.

Warm Baths
Soothing the pain and discomfort associated with hemeroids can be alleviated naturally by taking warm baths a few times daily. A sitz bath is very useful for temporary hemeroid relief especially for external hemeroids. Sitting in a sitz bath with the knees raised helps in reducing the pain and swelling of hemeroid-affected veins and tissues. Although not a cure for hemeroids, this technique reduces discomfort and pain associated with the condition.

Diet
Hemeroids are frequently caused and/or aggravated by digestive problems i.e. diarrhea and constipation. Healthy diet plays an important role in maintaining proper digestion and thus providing relief from external hemeroid. Diet conducive to the digestion of hemeroid patients includes more fiber-rich items like vegetables and fruits. Fiber-rich diet prevents hard bowel movements and is recommended for hemeroids relief for external hemeroids.

Lubrication
Lubrication before passing stool helps avoid the friction that causes pain and, sometimes, bleeding associated with your external hemeroid. Relief can be found with petroleum jelly or other creams, which are free of harsh chemicals, and are often used for this purpose. The patient should dab petroleum jelly or cream about half inch inside the rectum with the help of a soft cotton swab before passing stool.

Witch Hazel
Witch Hazel is an astringent obtained from the Witch Hazel shrub (Hamamelis virginiana). It has been found useful in providing relief from external hemeroids. By shrinking and contracting the affected blood vessels in the rectal area, Witch Hazel reduces their swelling and associated hemeroids symptoms like pain and irritation. Witch hazel is usually available at health stores and in supermarkets.

Reducing Salt, Caffeine, and Alcohol
Certain substances like salt, alcohol, and caffeine aggravate the symptoms of external hemeroids. Reducing their intake provides relief from hemeroids. Salt should not be totally given up but reduced to a minimum. Alcohol and caffeine may be given up and replaced with fruit juice and herbal teas.

Herbal Treatments
Another way of getting hemeroid treatment is by using herbal treatments. Stoneroot (Collinsonia), for example, is known to strengthen the veins and makes them resistant to pressure. This helps the veins become resistant to swelling and hence providing relief from external hemeroids.

Doughnut Shape Pillows
Doughnut Shape Pillows are available at drugstores and pharmacies and are also helpful in providing hemeroid relief. These pillows help in reducing pressure on the rectal tissues especially you have external hemeroid.

If the above external hemeroid treatment does not alleviate your hemeroid condition, you should seek for doctors advice and don’t wait for your external hemeroid condition gets worst.

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