Most individuals who have experienced itching and pain in their anal openings often ignore the discomfort hoping it would cease over time. According to Dr. Ven, a gastroenterologist in Lima, such symptoms could result from various conditions including hemorrhoids. Besides the itching, hemorrhoids may also result in bleeding during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids appear when your anal veins stretch under pressure, forcing them to swell. While some hemorrhoids might remain in your rectum, others may prolapse and hang outside your anus.
Who is likely to get hemorrhoids?
Almost everyone has hemorrhoids. Therefore, anyone can have them. These swollen nerves help you with bowel movements. However, they cease to be normal when they clump and enlarge. A very minimal percentage will seek medical attention because most of these hemorrhoids recede after a few days. Hemorrhoids may appear either inside or outside your anus.
- Internal Hemorrhoids
This category appears in your rectum’s inner lining and chances are high you might never realize you have them unless they enlarge substantially. Though internal hemorrhoids are painless, you will suspect you have them when you notice rectal bleeding, especially with bowel movements. In some instances, these hemorrhoids may protrude and appear outside your anus, looking pinker than your anus’ surrounding areas. Such prolapsed hemorrhoids may be painful because of the dense pain-sensing nerves in your anus. Fortunately, such fallen veins recede into your anus independently. However, your doctor may help push them back in place gently.
- External Hemorrhoids
Unlike internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids appear under the skin surrounding your anus. Since they appear outside your anus, you are likely to see and feel them. Blood clots are typical with such hemorrhoids and may result in thrombosis. In such a case, the swollen vein may appear bluish or purplish and may also bleed. Despite thrombosed hemorrhoids being extremely painful, they will eventually resolve. If the pain worsens, your doctor may relieve your pain by removing the blood clots.
What are your treatment options when you have hemorrhoids?
Your doctor may recommend the following remedies to minimize the hemorrhoids’ swelling and relieve you from discomfort:
- Medications
Medications may be your only option if your hemorrhoids only result in mild discomfort. The healthcare provider may suggest suppositories, ointments, or over-the-counter creams to minimize itching and pain temporarily.
- Thrombectomy
Your doctor may decide to remove an external hemorrhoid, especially if it has a blood clot and is painful. As a result, you will feel instant relief.
- Minimally invasive procedures
The medical professional may recommend the following minimally invasive procedures when the hemorrhoids bleed persistently or conservative treatments fail to relieve you from pain.
-Rubber band ligation
-Sclerotherapy
-Coagulation
- Surgical procedures
Surgical treatment may be your doctor’s last resort after he has tried other options. The options the health practitioner might recommend include:
Hemorrhoidectomy (removal of hemorrhoid)
Hemorrhoid stapling (blocking blood from flowing into your hemorrhoidal tissue)
- Home remedies
When your hemorrhoid is less threatening, your doctor might advise you to:
-Soak your anal area regularly in warm water
-Apply topical treatments
-Eat a fiber-rich diet
Though some hemorrhoids, especially thrombosed external hemorrhoids, might look frightening, most of them recede with home remedies. Schedule an appointment with your doctor when the swollen nerves fail to recede or get painful over time.