10/10/2023
What are hemorrhoids and how to treat them
Have you noticed blood on toilet paper? Are you experiencing pain or itching in the rectal area? Then perhaps, like a large part of the population, you are struggling with hemorrhoids that can affect your quality of life. What are hemorrhoids? What are their symptoms and how to treat them effectively?
What are hemorrhoids?
Before we list the main causes of hemorrhoids and their manifestations, let's briefly outline what hemorrhoids actually are. Hemorrhoids are vascular plexuses in the rectum and anus. Hemorrhoids can be seen as a specific case of varicose veins. Typically, varicose veins occur just under the skin in the legs. In some occasions, they may occur around the anus area, this is known as hemorrhoids. They are a natural part of the human body, and if everything is fine, we do not know about them at all. However, the venous plexuses are sensitive, and with improper lifestyle, the formation of venous nodules can occur. At this point, we are already talking about hemorrhoidal disease.
Anal hemorrhoids and their symptoms
How do you know if you suffer from hemorrhoids, which up to 75% of the population over 35 years of age will experience during their lifetime? The most common signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids are bleeding during stool, when bright red blood appears in the toilet bowl or on the paper. Itching and irritation in the anal area, pain or swelling in the rectum, and last but not least, lumps in the rectal area, which can be painful and tender, are also common.
What types of hemorrhoids are there?
Symptoms depend on the type of hemorrhoids, and a distinction is made between external and internal hemorrhoids. What are the symptoms of each type?
How do external hemorrhoids manifest themselves?
External hemorrhoids are mainly located on the surface of the anus and around the anus and usually do not bleed nor hurt. However, if a blood clot develops, a painful nodule may form. This is manifested by pressure in the anal area, and if it ruptures, you will feel relief.
If the nodules are enlarged, they can complicate hygiene, which can manifest itself in irritation and unpleasant itching. In addition, a breach in the skin around the anus leads to the establishment of yeasts and microbes, which can make itching worse.
And internal hemorrhoids?
Internal hemorrhoids, which form inside the anus, unlike external hemorrhoids, are usually not painful and are typically manifested by rectal bleeding; in higher stages of hemorrhoids, they may be manifested by the presence of mucus.
Bleeding that is associated with significant pain is usually unrelated to internal hemorrhoids, but may be accompanied by external hemorrhoids. If treatment of internal hemorrhoids is neglected, prolapse of the hemorrhoids, i.e. their expulsion from the anus, may occur. In the early stages, they usually pull back on their own, but in later stages, surgery is often necessary.
Stages of internal hemorrhoids
There are four stages of internal hemorrhoids. The first stage is associated with painless hemorrhoidal nodes that occasionally bleed. In the second stage, the nodes prolapse but come back on their own. If they reach the third stage, the erupted nodule must be pushed into the rectum with the hand. In the fourth stage, the erupted hemorrhoids cannot be put back and surgery is necessary.
What causes hemorrhoids?
You may also be wondering why hemorrhoids occur in the first place. A number of factors are involved in the formation of hemorrhoids. These include a sedentary lifestyle, lack of exercise, straining while defecating, staying in the toilet for a long time, genetic predisposition, pregnancy, or insufficient water intake.
Risk groups include especially pregnant women who may suffer from constipation, and women who push hard during childbirth. In addition, people with sedentary jobs are often affected.
Hemorrhoid treatments and medicines
If you suffer from this unpleasant disease, you are probably most interested in how to get rid of the hemorrhoid pain and itching. The treatment consists of adjusting your lifestyle, applying ointments or suppositories, taking oral and topical medication, or taking sedentary baths. Let's take a closer look at the treatment options.
Dietary modification and sufficient water intake
Changing your lifestyle is the basis for preventing the development of hemorrhoids and it is also very important even if you already suffer from the disease. A diet rich in fibre is essential. You can find fibre for example in legumes, nuts and seeds, or in fruits and vegetables, which are also a rich source of vitamins and minerals important for the strength of the vein walls.
Probiotics and prebiotics can also help healthy digestion. Drinking enough water is also important, especially pure water or herbal teas. With hemorrhoids it is recommended to limit coffee, alcohol, and cola drinks.
Enough exercise
Since a sedentary lifestyle contributes to the development of hemorrhoids, sufficient movement is crucial. You should make time for physical activity every day, for at least 20 to 30 minutes. This can be for example walking, running, or swimming.
Pelvic floor and anal sphincter exercises are also effective. The advantage is that you can do them almost anywhere. You can exercise your sphincters by contracting them about 20 to 30 times and then relaxing them. One contraction should take 2 to 3 seconds.
Special creams and suppositories for hemorrhoids
Milder forms of hemorrhoids can be dealt with at home using over-the-counter products that come in the form of ointments, creams or suppositories and wipes for hemorrhoids. Additionally, oral medication support not only with relief of the symptoms but to strengthens the veins walls, enhancing microcirculation and improving the appearance of the rectal mucosa
Venoruton products, for example, are an effective tool against hemorrhoids, as they relieve the symptoms of venous insufficiency and hemorrhoids and are clinically proven to be effective. These products are available in the form of sachets, capsules and tablets.
Sitting baths
A sitz bath, a bath in shallow warm water, can also relieve irritation. How to take a sitz bath? Fill the bath with about 10 cm of warm water, sit in it and put your legs over the edge. Sit in the bath for about 10 to 20 minutes and gently wipe yourself with a towel after the bath.
You can multiply the effect of the sitz bath by adding oak bark, chamomile, plantain, calendula, or Epsom salt to the water.
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