Hemorrhoids is one of the commonly affected condition in younger and older age groups, also called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins in anus and lower rectum resulting from straining during a bowel movement or from the increased pressure on these veins which most of the times can be relieved from symptoms using home treatments and lifestyle changes

 

Causes:

• Increased Straining during bowel movements such as constipation or Diarrhea
• Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
• Chronic diarrhea or constipation
• Obesity, Portal Hypertension and chronic liver disease
• Pregnancy and premenstrual syndrome causing water retention and constipation
• Anal intercourse
• Cigarettes smoking
• Long distances of travel

Symptoms:

• Painless bleeding with bright red colour and the bleeding usually does not last long.
• Hemorrhoids may lead to a condition called prolapsed hemorrhoids.
• This occurs when the internal hemorrhoids swell and then extend through the anus which can be felt at anus from outside and can be pushed back manually
• Itching also called pruritis ani or irritation
• External hemorrhoids may form a painful condition called thrombosed hemorrhoids.
• When a blood clot occurs in a hemorrhoid, the hemorrhoid will become even more swollen. This swelling leads to increase pain which becomes even worse with bowel movements or sometimes with sitting
• Leakage of fecal matter without sense
• Food material such as spicy food and low fibre diet food

Tests and Diagnosis:

• Digital examination through fingers
• Using a anoscope the rectal area can be seen
• Sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy can be done in case of detailed study

Treatment and prevention:

• Topical application of natural astringents and soothing agents, such as Witch hazel or Cranesbills, honey
• Eating food rich in fiber bulking agents
• Using the squatting position for bowel movements like in western toilets
• Sleeping in night with raised legs helps reduce or completely eliminate especially external hemorrhoids.
• Placing an ice pack to an external hemorrhoid should relieve itching and swelling. Leave the ice pack on the hemorrhoid for 15 to 20 minutes
• Using sitz bath along with astringents can be useful

Surgeries or medical procedures:

• Elastic Rubber band are applied onto an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply
• Hemorrhoidolysis or Galvanic Electrotherapy using an electric current
• Sclerotherapy in which sclerosant or hardening agent is injected into hemorrhoids which helps in shrinkage of hemorrhoids
• Cryosurgery
• Laser, infrared or BICAP coagulation
• Surgeries
• Hemorrhoidectomy
• Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy
• Water Enema is used to clean an rectum
• Hemorrhoid Artery Ligation using an Doppler     
• Trans anal hemorrhoidal dearterialization
• Radiofrequency Coagulation