Hemorrhoids – Managing Pain and Bleeding in Anal Piles
Hemorrhoids are commonly known as piles. In this condition the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed. This problem is quite common and frequently results from straining to move stools.
Symptoms
- Commonest symptom is the appearance of a blood blister somewhere around the anus. The blood clot in the vein causes the blood blister formation. Since it lies just below the nerve rich area of skin, it is extremely painful.
- Bright red blood can be noticed on the toilet tissue paper, over stools or in the bowl.
- Itching in that area may or may not be present.
What Causes the Development of Hemorrhoids ?
- Excessive straining to move stool e.g. In chronic constipation
- Obesity
- Heavy lifting
- Anal intercourse
Hemorrhoids or piles are of two types depending on their location. They are:
- Internal hemorrhoids
- External hemorrhoids
Treatment
Since the condition is usually painful, cures for hemorrhoids come after we alleviate the symptoms.
Alleviating symptoms
These remedies for hemorrhoids can be done at home.
- Warm tub baths several times a day for about 15 minutes. This soothes the area, reduces local inflammation and pain.
- Applying a hemorrhoidal cream or suppository over the affected area. These creams or ointment for hemorrhoids are available easily over the counter at most pharmacies.
- Clean gently after the bowel movement. Don’t scratch or scrub the area excessively as it may lead to more irritation of skin. Use wet toilet paper instead of a dry one.
- Clean the area gently with plain water while taking bath. Avoid excessive cleaning or rubbing. Don’t use soap or other solutions for cleaning.
- Take plenty of fluids to avoid constipation. You may also take a stool softener or a fiber supplement like psyllium or methylcellulose.
- Avoid heavy lifting.
Though these measures will provide symptomatic relief, you may still need to see a doctor for further evaluation.
Medical and Surgical Intervention
Treatment will depend on the size and number of the blisters. A clot can be removed by a simple incision.
One of the common methods to remove pile is banding or rubber band ligation. Here bands similar to rubber bands are tied to the blister. It starts shrinking slowly due to pressure necrosis to finally disappear. So you get rid of hemorrhoids.
There are several other methods available to remove or reduce the size of internal hemorrhoids.
They are:
- Sclerotherapy
- Laser therapy
- Infrared coagulation- Often used with bleeding hemorrhoids.
- Surgical removal called Hemorrhoidectomy.
Prevention
Several preventive measures can definitely be adopted to prevent the recurrence of hemorrhoids-
- Relieving constipation and avoiding the straining is a basic step to prevent the occurrence of such problems. This can be done by taking lot of fluids – around 8-9 glasses of water a day. Eat fiber rich food like fruits, vegetables and grains.
- Avoid long periods of sitting or standing as it puts pressure on the veins. Light exercise such as walking is helpful to relieve this pressure. It also helps in preventing constipation.
- Respond to nature’s call promptly. Have a bowel movement as soon as you feel the urge. This helps in avoiding constipation and straining.
SIR,
I AM A HIV POSITIVE PERSON, 43(AGE), TAKING ART SINCE LAST OCTOBER 2013. AS ART I AM TAKING ZIDOVODINE, LAMIVODINE AND NAVIRAPINE AND BACTRIM DS. ALSO TAKING FINOLIP 145MG FOR HIGHER TRY GLICERIDE(207). RECENTLY I AM CONTINUING ELTROXIN 25 FOR HIGHER TSH LEVELS(7.2). I AM ALSO SUFFERING WITH PILES AND FISTULA. FOR THIS I HAVE TAKEN AYURVEDIC MEDICINE FOR ALMOST ONE YEAR. BUT THE PILES AND SPECIALLY FISTULA PROBLEM IS NOT COMPLETELY CURED. I AM AFRAID OF TO DO SURGERY AS THERE IS CHANCE OF CANCER(I THINK). WHAT SHOULD I DO? SHOULD I CONTINUE THE AYURVEDIC MEDICINE ALONG WITH ALLOPATHY TREATMENT? PLEASE ADVISE ME DOCTOR.
Piles and fistula issues are unlikely to get solved by medical treatments, be it allopathic or ayurvedic. Medicines may alleviate the symptoms for some time or prevent the condition from worsening.
However, the current situation needs repair, that is possible only surgically. It is suggested that you talk to your doctor about the surgical procedure to be done, informing him about your health status.
Surgical methods, as you may read above, are quite simple and there are not much hazards in performing them. Read more on anal fistulas.