About the condition
Everyone has hemorrhoids. They are part of the normal anatomy and physiological functioning of your body. But when hemorrhoids start to remind about themselves, they can become a morbid condition, called hemorrhoidal disease.
Although there are multiple reasons for hemorrhoidal disease development, most predisposing factors are well known. They include certain dietary habits that should not be underestimated, but that could be favorably affected by minor lifestyle changes and dietary measures.
What hemorrhoids are?
Hemorrhoids are blood vessels located high in the anal canal. Sometimes hemorrhoids could be responsible for blood in the stools. They can also become larger, go down the canal and protrude out of the anus, the latter being called prolapsed hemorrhoids. The normal internal hemorrhoids become visible and can cause discomfort, pain or bleeding.
Main symptoms
- At the beginning of their development hemorrhoids often remain unrecognized.They cause mild itching and burning sensation during defecation ̶ symptoms rarely noticed by patients. Blood and mucus staining on the underwear are common symptoms. With progression of the disease the symptoms tend to worsen
- Pain
- Severe pain in the anal area – usually due to acute thrombosis of an external hemorrhoidal node. The most common reason is constipation or prolonged sitting
- Bleeding during and after defecation – bright red blood on the stool or on the toilet bowel. Immediate repositioning of prolapsed hemorrhoids significantly decreases the bleeding
- Sensation of protrusion of hemorrhoids
- In the last stages of the disease the patient can feel the prolapse (protrusion of internal hemorrhoids outside the anus) as an irritating lump near the anus. A very common symptom is the feeling of incomplete evacuation; many anorectal problems as fissures, fistulas, abscesses and perianal itching are accompanied by similar symptoms and are often misdiagnosed as related to hemorrhoids
When to treat hemorrhoids?
Measures for treating constipation should be taken. In all cases, especially when clinical symptoms are present (anal discomfort, discharge, blood in the stools). Such symptoms usually appear in “crisis”. Appropriate pharmacological treatment in such cases ensures prompt and efficient relief of symptoms. Depending on the stage of the disease surgery and minimally invasive procedures could be implemented
Important to know:
- Rectal bleeding may be a sign of a more serious underlying condition
- If the doctor diagnoses a certain stage of hemorrhoidal disease, he will most probably prescribe you lifestyle changes, venotonic and topical treatment. Surgical treatment may also be recommended.
- Only your doctor can make a correct diagnosis and prescribe necessary investigations and treatment
