Any disease requires timely treatment. At an early stage, it is much easier to cope with the disease. Hemorrhoids are no exception . The first stage is the easiest to treat . Therefore, you should know what symptoms you should pay attention to.
Description of the pathological process
Hemorrhoids - one of the most common diseases in the field of proctology. According to statistics, men are more likely to encounter pathology. With an ailment, hemorrhoidal nodes (veins located in the anus) begin to increase. If you refuse timely therapy, the nodes become inflamed, giving the patient a lot of discomfort.
Clinically, the first stage of hemorrhoids can be manifested by prolapse or bleeding of nodes. If the patient promptly pays attention to unpleasant symptoms, conservative treatment can be dispensed with. If complications develop, the nodes have to be removed.
An interesting fact is that the enlarged hemorrhoidal nodes identified during a routine examination are not considered a disease. This may be a variant of the norm. Along with this, a patient with this feature should be more attentive to possible symptoms and seek help with any change in health.
The first stage of hemorrhoids in some cases may not manifest itself. It will be possible to identify the ailment if periodic prophylactic examinations are carried out by a proctologist (at least once a year).
Causes of the disease
Disruption of blood circulation in hemorrhoids is the main cause of the pathological process. In this regard, degenerative changes in the connective and muscle structures begin to occur. Blood stagnates in hemorrhoidal nodes, which contributes to their increase. From pathology to a greater extent, people with overweight and a sedentary lifestyle suffer. The disease is accompanied by frequent stool disorders (constipation or diarrhea).
Of great importance are also professional factors. Men who spend most of their time in a sitting position are more likely to suffer from the disease. The first stage of external hemorrhoids is often found in pilots, truckers, programmers. Some sports such as weightlifting, cycling, horse riding can contribute to the increase in knots.
In women, pregnancy and childbirth often contribute to the development of hemorrhoids. In some cases, hemorrhoids can be secondary. The disease develops against a background of cardiovascular or endocrine disorders in the body.
Classification
Specialists distinguish four stages of the pathological process. The most mild are the first stages of hemorrhoids. Photos of the affected area are no different from images of healthy areas. The patient can be disturbed only by mild spotting when going to the toilet. The nodes begin to fall out in the second stage. In this case, unpleasant sensations associated with pain and itching already appear. Treatment of the third and fourth stages of the disease in 80% of cases is carried out through surgical intervention.
Also distinguish internal and external hemorrhoids. At the first stage, treatment of both options is carried out conservatively. If the pathology is started, more complex therapy is carried out with the identification of internal nodes. In this case, blood accumulation is observed under the mucous membrane of the rectum. Surgical intervention requires special tools. External hemorrhoids are easier to treat.
Symptoms
The pathological process always initially develops in an acute form. The disease in men, as a rule, is manifested by symptoms such as pain and bleeding during bowel movements, itching in the anus. Sometimes a foreign body sensation in the rectum may be present.
In some cases, hemorrhoids of the first stage do not manifest themselves at all. An x-ray photo makes it possible to understand exactly where the inflamed nodes are located. However, such a diagnosis is used only if the patient has any complaints.
An unpleasant symptom is the periodic loss of hemorrhoids. As a result, the sphincter does not close tightly, mucous discharge may appear. Long-existing hemorrhoids eventually become chronic. Such a disease requires longer treatment. It is rarely possible to do without surgical intervention. With the refusal of medical care, the pathological process progresses. Nodes begin to fall out more often (with coughing and sneezing). Blood clots may form in the hemorrhoidal nodes. This condition is already threatening the life of the patient.
Diagnostics
It can be quite difficult to detect hemorrhoids of the first stage. Symptoms practically do not appear. Therefore, the disease is most often determined during a prophylactic examination by a proctologist. The specialist may notice inflamed areas in the anus. Often palpation provokes bleeding. In this case, the specialist directs the patient to an additional examination. Examination of patients is carried out in a gynecological chair or on a couch in the knee-elbow position. Be sure to check the anal reflex. The pre-ductal zone is irritated by a special probe.
On palpation, as a rule, the nodes are reduced in size. Therefore, it is not always possible to determine the stage of the pathological process in this way, as well as the localization of inflamed areas. Additionally, the patient may be referred for anoscopy. This instrumental diagnostic method allows you to examine the inside of the rectum to a depth of 10 cm.
A sigmoidoscopy is prescribed for all patients with suspected hemorrhoids. Using a special tube, an endoscopic examination of the rectum is performed. Such a diagnosis makes it possible to accurately determine the location of the nodes, as well as the stage of the pathological process.
Using instrumental methods, hemorrhoids of the first stage can be easily determined. Treatment in this case will be conservative.
Treatment without surgery
How to treat the first stage of hemorrhoids? First of all, the patient will have to reconsider his lifestyle. You need to move more, spend time in the fresh air. You can’t sit for more than 60 minutes without a break. Drivers or pilots need to take a vacation during the treatment period. Of great importance is also nutrition. You will have to follow a diet that helps normalize stool. The daily diet should contain more fiber, as well as dairy products. The diet for each patient is made individually. For difficult bowel movements, laxatives (Mikrolaks, Glycelax) are prescribed.
As part of complex therapy, drugs are prescribed that help strengthen the venous walls. The drug "Diosmin" is widely used. The active ingredient increases the tone of the veins, reduces their extensibility. The plus is that the drug has virtually no contraindications. In rare cases, patients may develop hypersensitivity.
Hemorrhoids cannot do without anti-inflammatory suppositories. Treatment in men of the first stage is carried out using the drug "Neo Anuzol." The role of the active component is belladonna extract. Candles relieve itching and pain, stop the inflammatory process. Also, treatment of the disease can be carried out using means such as Betiol, Hepazolone, Hepatrombin, etc.
Surgical intervention
If the nodes constantly bleed and fall out, an operation cannot be dispensed with. Classical surgery is indicated for hemorrhoids of the third and fourth stages. In the first stage, the intervention is carried out in the presence of thrombosis. The most effective is considered open hemorrhoidectomy. Nodes can be removed using a laser electrocoagulator or scalpel. Additionally, a small section of the rectal mucosa is excised in order to avoid the re-development of the pathological process. All manipulations take no more than an hour.
After the operation, a long rehabilitation period (about a month) follows. The patient needs to abandon physical activity, and for the first few days, in general, observe bed rest. Analgesics are prescribed to relieve pain. The patient must follow a special diet to avoid constipation.
The surgical treatment of hemorrhoids using the Longo method is popular. Nodes are not completely removed, but pulled up. The work uses a special apparatus that works on the principle of a stapler. Recovery from such an intervention is much faster.
Traditional methods of treating hemorrhoids
With the help of traditional medicine recipes, it is also possible to overcome hemorrhoids of the first stage. At the same time, treatment is definitely worth discussing with a proctologist to avoid complications. To cope with itching and pain, enemas and compresses based on herbal decoctions will help. Good results are shown by ordinary chamomile. A tablespoon of dry shredded plants is poured with a liter of water, brought to a boil and boiled for another 15 minutes. Then the product is filtered and cooled. A decoction is used to wash the affected area or compresses. In the same way, you can apply decoctions of sage, walnut leaves.
Pronounced anti-inflammatory effect has fresh cabbage. Clean leaves are simply applied to the anus for several hours.
It will be possible to relieve itching and pain with a compress based on honey and olive oil. Fresh raw materials are mixed in equal proportions. The finished medicine is applied to the gauze disk and applied to the affected area for 20 minutes.
Treatment prognosis
With timely request for help, the disease can be overcome in 7-10 days. With surgical intervention, you need to be prepared for a long recovery period. If all the doctor’s prescriptions are followed, you will be able to return to your usual lifestyle within a month.
Possible complications
If the treatment of hemorrhoids in the first stages was not carried out correctly, the pathological process can develop into a chronic form. In addition, life-threatening complications may develop. Against the background of hemorrhoids, thrombosis often develops. Disease at any time can lead to death.
Necrosis of pinched hemorrhoid cones is another unpleasant consequence of the disease. Pinched tissue is dying. In the area of the anus, severe pain appears, the patient's general well-being is rapidly deteriorating. Assistance to the patient should be provided immediately.
Prevention
To prevent the development of hemorrhoids, it is necessary to prevent factors that can contribute to impaired blood flow. It is necessary to treat any stool disorders in a timely manner. With sedentary work, it is recommended to take breaks more often and spend active days off. Help should be sought at the first sign of hemorrhoids. It will not be amiss to conduct prophylactic examinations twice a year.