A hemorrhoid is a small, thin piece of tissue that becomes swollen and thickened when it grows in size. When it becomes larger, it pushes against the lining of your anus, presenting as a hard, red mass.
This presentation is called an hemorrhoidal cancer diagnosis. The term cancer is used carefully; there are many noncancerous hemorrhoids that are very noticeable.
Cancers are more frequent than we think—around half of people have one by age 50! An additional 5% to 10% of people have a small cancer on an otherwise normal hemorrhoid. These individuals usually do not seek medical attention, but if there is redness or swelling, you should contact your doctor.
Hemorrhoids can be either benign or malignant, depending on where they are and whether they become enlarged. Malignant hemihoarses can become Cancer Council New Zealand (CC NZ) grade 2 carcinomas (masses of swollen blood vessels that push out the lining of the anus).
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What causes hemorrhoids
Bloating is the body store of your intestines. When your intestines are not being used, they start to grow and swell making you feel heavy feeling digestive system.
This can happen when you are young or older, it doesn’t matter! The important part is to watch how you use your gut and pay attention to any changes in feeling or appearance.
If anything looks out of place or is changing, talk to your doctor immediately! He or she can rule out any type of trouble like cancer or inflammatory bowel disease.
Hemorrhoids can be hard to see because they usually look like a small hole in the middle of your skin. They usually develop around the bottom half of the backside of the big gut.
They may even look like a spot on the outside of the gut where bleeding would not happen normally. They may even be confused with other conditions such as diverticulitis.
How are they diagnosed
When you have a hemorrhoid, it can look like it’s swollen and sticking out, even if it’s just a little bit. You can go to a doctor for several different reasons:
You think your hemorrhoid is bleeding
You think your hemorrhoid is stuck
You suspicion your hemorrhoid was infected (this is rare, but possible)
No one has seen your hemorrhoid before, making them hard to diagnose. If you go to the hospital, they may use an ultrasound or barium swallow to diagnose. If that does not work, they may do surgery.
How surgery works
Surgery is the best treatment for cases where the symptoms are extreme or where there is no other medical treatment available. During surgery, the doctor can remove some of the hardened blood from the gut and replace it with fresh blood.
Can they be prevented
Very rarely, a hemorrhoid can be prevented by diet. If you eat a lot of vegetables and fruits, you may be able to prevent some hemorrhoids.
Whole fruits and vegetables may help to prevent some hemorrhoids. Fruits and vegetables contain many important vitamins and minerals that reduce pain and improve your overall health.
If possible, it is better to buy fresh food instead of canned or packaged food. Banned ingredients may also harm your health, so it is best to keep those away from your food.
Most processed foods have high amounts of sodium which can cause problems for some people with hemorrhoids. Drying methods may also contribute to problems with pain or bleeding.
The causes of most bowel conditions can be prevented in your diet.
What does a hemorrhoid look like
Most people don’t even notice a hemorrhoid, but if you do, you can enjoy looking at it. There are lots of ways to treat a hemorrhoid, so be sure to check into one of these out if yours is hurting.
Checking your hemorrhoid every few weeks can help keep it healthy, as can using a hemorrhoid patch. These are sold at specialty grocery stores and pharmacies and must be used within the week of being purchased.
Using warm water and a wipe cloth will help take away any dried blood on them. If you feel your hemorrhoid is red or painful, then trying some analgesics or astringents may help reduce pain and inflammation.
If possible, surgery is the only way to remove a smallish piece of raw bleeding flesh from an already enlarged Hemorrhoid.
Can they be treated at home
Though there are now a few ways to treat hemangiomas and hemorrhoids, it is not recommended unless you have very little else to live without. They are delicate conditions that require the right protocols and patience for the patient.
In most cases, doctors will prescribe their usual remedies such as pain medication and rest. In some cases, doctors may test your blood clotting levels to see if there is an underlying condition that could affect healing.
The best way to avoid any medication side effects is to speak with your doctor about this before starting any new medications.
See a doctor if you have any other symptoms such as itching, swelling, bleeding or discoloration of the skin around the hemorrhoid or change in bowel habits or bowel movements. You may be having pain due to constipation or obstruction of the hemorrhoid may be causing increased mucus production making it look painful.
Should I see a doctor for them?
About half of people with hemorrhoids have no doctor or hospital visit necessary. If you go to a healthcare provider, you’re more likely to get treatment and care.
But even if you don’t, doing your own research and asking your doctor for help is a great way to start. You’ll learn a lot more about your hemorrhoid issue and how to treat it!
If you want help in deciding whether to see a doctor for your hemorrhoid problem, the answer is probably yes! A doctor can look at your other symptoms and determine if this pain is severe, whether this bleeding is ongoing or slight, whether this is occasional or frequent, and whether there is any related health condition such as trouble walking or standing without fear of falling.
Are there any types of medication I can take?
There are several types of medication that can treat a hemorrhoid. Some are over the counter and others you can buy at your grocery store or drug store.
Over-the-counter medications include dilaudet, tenequit, and colace. All of these have been shown to reduce the size and frequency of hemorrhoids.
Tenequit is typically used by people who have recently started diet and exercise programs because it can be taken both under the tongue and into the mouth. It typically works for 6–12 weeks, but you can keep taking it as long as your hemorrhoid symptoms are reduced.
Dilaudet is typically used by people who have been on a varied lengths of medications because it can take up to a week for it to completely work. It typically works for 6–12 weeks, but you can keep taking it as long as your hemorrhoid symptoms are resolved.
What are the best home remedies for hemorrhoids?
There are several ways to prevent or manage a hemorrhoid, depending on your needs. If you need immediate help, you can try these:
Wax your feet and leave them overnight to dry
Adhesive strips can be used to hold toilet paper in place while you get rid of the old paper
Try calendula preparations or lavender massage oil as alternatives for pain-relieving remedies. These have been shown to work well as they are not indicated for hemorrhoids, however.
Make sure to intake enough water each day to ensure proper flushing of the bowels. If this is not possible, try adding salt or sugar to your water to help ensure adequate hydration. It may also be helpful to take a daily bath with some mild soap and water to remove any hardened blood that may be sitting on your skin.