Hemorrhoids are diagnosed in cases where the veins of the rectum or anus become inflamed from excessive stress. Depending on the location of inflamed veins, distinguish between internal and external hemorrhoids. The last diagnosis implies that the swollen cones from the skin and blood vessels partially fell out of the anus.
External and internal hemorrhoids are equally serious diseases, so treatment should be started as soon as possible.
Symptoms and signs
There are several symptoms by which it is possible to determine the presence of external hemorrhoids in a person. Some signs of the disease appear only in the last stages, others are observed during the entire period of the development of the disease. Here are just a few of the possible symptoms:
- itching around the anus;
- pain in the anus;
- bumps near the anus or around it;
- blood in the stool.
Bleeding can be noticed when visiting the toilet: the water in the toilet is painted red or red spots are printed on toilet paper. The bumps around the anus feel sore to the touch. The above symptoms can mean the onset and development of another disease, therefore, in order to avoid complications, it is recommended to appoint a visit to the doctor as soon as possible. If the doctor finds a common external hemorrhoids, treatment at home is likely to be preferable to surgery.
Causes
Several different factors can trigger external hemorrhoids. The most common reason is a constant tension during bowel movements, which is often a habit in chronic constipation and hard stool. Muscle tension interferes with normal blood flow in the rectal region, resulting in a buildup of blood and vasodilation. For the same reason, chronic constipation, as well as periodic diarrhea, can cause external hemorrhoids. In addition, pregnant women are at risk, since a stretched uterus presses on the same veins and also prevents blood flow.
Risk factors
If the patient’s parents in one or another life period faced a problem that made them think about how to cure external hemorrhoids, he himself most likely also does not pass this ailment, that is, heredity plays an important role here.
Swelling of the veins in the rectal region can be caused by other factors, such as pregnancy or aging. The causes of the disease will be precisely determined by the attending physician, but it is safe to say that any cause of tension during bowel movements is a risk factor.
Diagnostics
Since many symptoms of external hemorrhoids are similar to signs of other diseases, a thorough medical examination is necessary for the correct diagnosis. The doctor has several types of diagnostic tests and studies at his disposal to confirm or deny the presence of external hemorrhoids. Most often in medical practice, the following methods are used:
- rectoscopy;
- colonoscopy;
- rectosigmoidoscopy;
- anoscopy.
The doctor will begin the diagnosis with a physical examination, in which you can detect inflamed veins. As a rule, external hemorrhoids are almost always detected by a simple examination. Procedures such as colonoscopy, anoscopy, rectosigmoidoscopy or rectoscopy are prescribed to exclude possible complications and anomalies. If the doctor suspects the presence of internal rather than external hemorrhoids, he can prescribe anoscopy to examine the anus from the inside.
Home Treatment Techniques
You can go through a simple diagnosis with your doctor to determine if you have external hemorrhoids. Treatment at home, however, is increasingly becoming more preferable than surgery to remove cones. It is impossible to completely get rid of swelling of the veins without surgical intervention, however, everyone can relieve the symptoms independently.
Food
More fiber-containing foods must be included in the diet. If desired, the effect of natural products can be enhanced with food additives with a high content of this component. Under the condition of heavy drinking, this substance softens the stool and avoids unnecessary muscle tension in the rectal area. A lot of fiber is found in broccoli, beans, wheat and oat bran, whole grain bread, and fresh fruit. Fiber supplements - highly effective remedies for external hemorrhoids - help reduce characteristic bleeding, inflammation and vascular swelling. They also relieve the irritation that occurs when small particles of stool accumulate around inflamed veins. Female patients often complain that increasing the amount of fiber in the diet causes bloating and flatulence. Fiber should be added to the menu gradually, day after day, increasing the intake rate to 25-30 grams per day. At the same time, fluid intake should also be increased.
Exercises
Moderate exercise is useful, such as a daily walk in fast steps lasting 20-30 minutes. They help stimulate the functioning of the intestines.
Time management
Having felt the urge to defecate, you should immediately go to the toilet. In no case should you endure and wait for a more suitable time. Stool builds up in the gut, causing increased pressure on the rectal area and exacerbating muscle tension. In addition, it is recommended to choose a specific time and every day (preferably after eating) to sit on the toilet for several minutes. This habit will help develop regular bowel movements.
Sitz baths
Seated baths are baths with warm water designed for the buttocks and thighs. They relieve itching, irritation and cramping of the sphincter muscles. This is a great way for those who do not know how to cure hemorrhoids without surgery. You can buy a small plastic bath in the pharmacy and install it above the toilet seat, or just sit in a regular bath with a water level that reaches only to the hips. Experts recommend twenty-minute sitz baths after each bowel movement and an additional 2-3 times a day. After this procedure, you need to slowly dry the rectal area with patting movements of the towel - in no case can not be rubbed heavily. You can even use a hairdryer.
Topical preparations
Over-the-counter external hemorrhoids containing local anesthetic can temporarily relieve pain. Ointments and suppositories (suppositories), which include cortisol, are no less effective, but their continuous use should be reduced to a course of 7 days. If you use such suppositories or ointment for a long time, external hemorrhoids can be complicated by the death of skin areas. Wet wipes with witch hazel extract are an excellent choice: they have a calming effect and do not have unwanted side effects. A small ice pack will also help to reduce pain and inflammation: it needs to be applied to the anus for several minutes. Finally, it is better to sit on a pillow than on a hard surface: softness helps fight inflammation of existing hemorrhoids and prevents the appearance of new bumps.
When external hemorrhoids is diagnosed, suppositories and ointments are often combined with the use of stool softening preparations inside. Although these remedies are effective in treating constipation, they should not be carried away: loose stools can cause inflammation and infection of the rectum.
Thrombosis
When an external thrombosed hemorrhoid develops , the pain may seem unbearable. If the blood clot is in the vessel for more than two days, you should use home remedies to relieve symptoms and wait until it resolves itself. If a blood clot has formed recently, you can contact a surgeon to remove hemorrhoids or directly a blood clot.
It is interesting
How to cure hemorrhoids without surgery? Doctors do not give such recommendations, however, on the forums about health and the fight against external hemorrhoids, you can find interesting information. Many people report the high effectiveness of a regular baby diaper cream applied to inflamed cones of hemorrhoids. You just need to make sure that the cream against rashes on the skin of the baby contains an important substance - zinc oxide. Enthusiasts apply the cream on the anus 1-2 times a day.
Alternative medicine
If the patient is diagnosed with external hemorrhoids, folk remedies will not help cure the disease. However, they can be used to alleviate symptoms. Thus, witch hazel extract is used in the form of distilled liquid, ointment, compress or wet wipes. Witch hazel is a natural hemostatic agent that helps not only to reduce bleeding, but also to reduce pain, itching and the accompanying inflammatory process.
Pontic needle-tree is a plant used since ancient times to treat hemorrhoids and varicose veins. Unfortunately, its effectiveness has not yet been scientifically proven: the only study was conducted in which 124 patients with a diagnosis of hemorrhoids participated. According to the results of the survey, 75% of patients and their attending physicians noted the high efficiency of the Pontic needle, but additional studies are needed to summarize the exact results. Currently, the plant extract is sold in the form of capsules or herbal tea with a slightly bitter taste. Tea is prepared as follows: in a cup of hot water for 10-15 minutes put one teaspoon of natural extract. Pontic needle can affect the effect of drugs such as hypertension, alpha-blockers, antidepressants and some other medicines, so you should consult your doctor before using the substance.
Seaside pine bark extract is a source of flavonoids, catechins, proanthocyanidins and phenolic acids with anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Using a natural extract for a week helps to alleviate the symptoms of the disease. Since hemorrhoids are most often diagnosed in women who have given birth to a second child, American researchers studied the effectiveness of the extract of bark of seaside pine precisely after the second birth. According to the results of the study, it was found that the use of the substance within six months after the second birth can significantly reduce the intensity of the manifestation of the symptoms of the disease.
Other useful means
If the patient is tormented by external hemorrhoids, treatment at home can be carried out using the following means:
- Vaseline oil;
- Coconut oil;
- Vitamin E
- chamomile;
- calendula.
Chamomile and calendula are applied topically in the form of compresses or ointments.
Stress
Sometimes the cause of the disease (like chronic constipation) is stress. In this case, you should think about doing yoga, qigong and meditation.
Prevention
In order not to start external hemorrhoids, treatment at home is recommended to be combined with preventive measures. First of all, you should minimize stress during bowel movements. In case of chronic constipation, you can take mild laxatives inside or include more vegetable products with a high fiber content in the menu. Since hemorrhoids in women occur most often during pregnancy and after childbirth, it is better to use pharmacy drugs that soften the stool to temporarily relieve bowel movements. Over time, the work of the intestines will improve. If none of the above helps, consult a qualified doctor.