About Hemorrhoids

What is a Hemorrhoid?

Learn About “Hemroids” and the Symptoms

Hemorrhoids are common, but that doesn’t mean you have to live with them. Learn more about hemorrhoid symptoms here.

Did you know that by age 50, half of all people will be affected by hemorrhoid symptoms?

Hemorrhoids are cushions of swollen tissue and blood vessels in the lower rectum which begin to bulge down through the anus, causing itching, bleeding, swelling and prolapse. These hemorrhoids are caused by constipation, straining, pregnancy, etc. and they can be painful and unpleasant. Too often, hemorrhoid (“hemroid”) sufferers spend endless time and money on home remedies such as a creams, suppositories and warm baths, getting nothing but temporary relief. Hemorrhoids can also get progressively worse over time.

Our goal is to answer the question “what is a hemorrhoid”, and get you the care you deserve by providing you with detailed information about the causes and symptoms of hemorrhoids.

Get the Facts About What Causes Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids result from an increase in pressure in the veins of the rectum, typically from too much straining. Common causes of hemorrhoids include:

Constipation • Diet • Obesity • Pregnancy and childbirth • Diarrhea • Heavy lifting • Long periods of sitting

Preventing Hemorrhoids

While you can’t always prevent hemorrhoids, there are some things you can do to reduce your chances –especially for hemorrhoids caused by constipation.

To reduce your risk – including preventing new hemorrhoids from forming after you’ve had the CRH treatment – make sure you:

• Avoid high-fat, low-fiber foods. In Western countries, constipation is associated with diets low in fiber and high in fat.
• Drink seven or eight glasses of water a day.
• Add 15 grams of fiber to your diet (two tablespoons of natural oat or wheat bran). Metamucil, Benefiber, flax or other soluble fiber may be helpful as well.
• Do not sit longer than two minutes on the toilet. If you can’t have a bowel movement in that time, come back later. This two-minute rule can help keep you from straining during bowel movements without realizing it.
• During air travel, be sure to stay hydrated, avoid alcohol, eat fiber and walk around when you can.

Common Hemorrhoid Symptoms

Hemorrhoids (also called piles) are an incredibly common problem – yet telling your doctor about them can seem embarrassing and stressful. If you have hemorrhoid symptoms, don’t suffer in silence. The sooner you get diagnosed and treated, the better your life and your health will be – and the less likely you are to have complications or require surgery.

In some instances, the hemorrhoids will prolapse (come down through the anal canal), requiring the sufferer to push the tissue back in place, while in others the prolapsed tissue will reduce on its own.

Blood

If you notice a small amount of blood on toilet paper after a bowel movement, or see blood present in your stool, you might be seeing the signs of hemorrhoids. This blood will typically be bright red in color.

Rectal itching

An itchy feeling either on the rectum or in the interior of the rectum is one of the most common and irritating hemorrhoid symptoms. In addition to being bothersome, vigorous scratching of the afflicted area can lead to infections if the skin is broken.

Incomplete bowel movements

Many hemorrhoids sufferers experience what can be described as an incomplete bowel movement, which means they feel like the movement is not fully completed. Attempting to have another bowel movement without success can make hemorrhoids worse due to increased straining. This is a frequent side effect of hemorrhoids, and can lead to further health issues.

Other diagnoses

Some of these hemorrhoid symptoms can also be a sign of more serious gastrointestinal issues, such as colorectal cancer, colon cancer, irritable bowel syndrome and others. That’s why it’s important to talk to a doctor about your symptoms and get an accurate diagnosis as early as possible.

Contact CRH today to find a hemorrhoid physician in your area and get started on the road to living hemorrhoid free.