What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids (Greek haíma = blood, rhinos = flow, also: hemorrhoids, falsely one reads more often also the term "Hemoriden") are Schwellkörper, which form in the mucous membrane of the lower end intestine (Analkanal) a dense vessel cushion. Arteries and veins supply these cavernous bodies with blood.Everyone has hemorrhoids by nature. Together with the inner and outer sphincter of the anus, they seal the bowel to the outside. Hemorrhoids help to keep the intestinal exit closed even under stress, such as when sneezing or laughing - they provide for the so-called fine continency. Usually, three nodes, which are located at the junction of the arteries in the corpus cavernosum, for this the mucosa before.
Hemorrhoids become morbid only when the blood builds up in this vessel cushion and can no longer flow away undisturbed. The hemorrhoids enlarge and are noticeable by different symptoms - then it is a Haemorrhoidalleiden.
Hemorrhoids
Internal and External Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are far enough inside the rectum that you can't usually see or feel them. They don't generally hurt because you have few pain-sensing nerves there. Bleeding may be the only sign of them.External hemorrhoids are under the skin around the anus, where there are many more pain-sensing nerves, so they tend to hurt as well as bleed.
Sometimes hemorrhoids prolapse, or get bigger and bulge outside the anal sphincter. Then you may be able to see them as moist bumps that are pinker than the surrounding area. And they're more likely to hurt, often when you poop.
Prolapsed hemorrhoids usually go back inside on their own. Even if they don't, they can often be gently pushed back into place.
A blood clot can form in external hemorrhoid, turning it purple or blue. This is called a thrombosis. It can hurt and itch a lot and could bleed. When the clot dissolves, you may still have a bit of skin left over, which could get irritated.
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What Causes Them?
There are now various theories about which factors favor their development vasodilation in the rectum. One of these factors is repeated strong pressing during bowel movements . Especially people with chronic constipation (constipation) tend to. Therefore, they often suffer from hemorrhoids. Constipation usually arises through a low-fiber diet, lack of exercise and/or too low fluid intake.As well as strong pressing during bowel movements, the lifting of heavy loads also increases the pressure in the abdomen. So if you have to haul large loads on a regular basis, this can also promote hemorrhoidal disease.
Another possible cause of hemorrhoids is frequent diarrhea: If you constantly only low-viscosity stool settles, the sensitive closure system of the anus is not trained enough. As a result, the arteries in the hemorrhoidal pad can expand.
Hemorrhoids can also be caused by circumstances that hinder blood flow from the erectile tissue. These include pregnancy, overweight and sedentary activities.
Congenital weakness of the blood vessel walls may also favor the development of hemorrhoids. Such vessel wall weakness is also likely to increase the risk of hemorrhoids with age: the vessel walls become less elastic over the years.
Incidentally, there are also hemorrhoids in children, albeit much less common than in adults. One of the possible causes is chronic constipation.
How to Prevent Them
Read more about therapies that can help:- sitz bath
- sclerotherapy
The most important tips for prevention and as a basic therapy for hemorrhoids are:
- Eat foods rich in fiber on a regular basis. This prevents constipation. A lot of fiber is in wholemeal bread, cereals, wheat bran, sesame, oatmeal, legumes, vegetables and fresh fruit (with shell).
- Drink at least 1.5 liters of fluid per day. Then the fiber in the intestine can well swell. Especially recommended are water and other non-calorific beverages such as unsweetened tea.
- Eat as little food as possible to promote constipation. These include, for example, white bread, chocolate, white rice, and white noodles. Black tea also makes the bowel sluggish if it has been pulling for a long time.
- Move sufficiently and regularly. If you are overweight, you should lose some pounds.
- Take time for a bowel movement and always at the same time of the day (after breakfast, if possible). This is how you get used to your bowel in a controlled bowel movement.
- Do not press too hard during bowel movements.
- Do not use laxatives (even natural or herbal products) without consulting your doctor!
Hemorrhoid Symptoms and Getting a Diagnosis
Hemorrhoids: symptoms
How do patients first become aware of possible hemorrhoids? Blood in the stool is often the first sign. Here, the color of the blood is crucial: Bleeding hemorrhoids give off bright red blood. It indicates bleeding from arterial vessels. Dark red blood usually comes from a venous vessel. Here you have to think of other diseases of the intestine.Hemorrhoids often bleed after defecation, as increased blood accumulates in the vessels as a result of pressing. The blood may be on the top of the chair, sticking to the toilet paper or dripping into the toilet. Normally hemorrhage bleeding is weak. But they can be very strong, especially in advanced disease. Then you should definitely visit a doctor.
Advanced Hemorrhoid Symptoms
Hemorrhoids usually change their symptoms in the course of the disease: itching and burning on the anus occur in advanced hemorrhoids. Some patients also complain of a foreign body sensation, oozing, sore skin in the anal area or palpable protrusions. The latter is nothing but the hemorrhoids that have fallen out of the anal canal. Pain also often shows only in advanced hemorrhoids.Diarrhea is not a typical hemorrhoid symptom. Nevertheless, diarrhea-like complaints may occur during the course of the disease: sufferers often report mucous secretions from the intestine. Some patients also suffer from fecal incontinence. This means that stool or mucus goes off unchecked. The reason is that enlarged hemorrhoids can no longer fulfill their main task: the dense closure of the anus.
Loggerhead (outer) hemorrhoids
Real (internal) hemorrhoids arise from dilated arteries of the vascular pad, which is located inside the rectum near the exit (anus). This should be distinguished from so-called spurious (external) hemorrhoids: These are protrusions to blood clots (thrombosis) in the venous system of the anal sphincter, which arise at the outer edge of the anus. They are sometimes confused with real hemorrhoids that bulge out of the anus. That is why they are called unclean and false or external hemorrhoids. The medically correct name is Perianalthrombose.Hemorrhoids Treatment
Everyone has hemorrhoids (also: hemorrhoids): The sponge-like, well-perfused vascular pad sits at the exit of the rectum. It seals together with the sphincter muscles the anus.However, if the hemorrhoids are enlarged, they can cause discomfort. The patients complain about an example of pain, itching and burning on the anus. Physicians then speak of a Hämorrhoidalleiden. Colloquially, it simply means: someone has hemorrhoids.
There are several ways to treat such abnormally enlarged hemorrhoids. A role is played by the severity of hemorrhoidal disease:
Best and Worst Foods for Hemorrhoids
The best home remedies for hemorrhoids are often the simplest: The problem usually arises through increased pressing during bowel movements. People with constipation tend to be constipated. So if you prevent constipation, you also prevent hemorrhoids. That means:Eat a high fiber, such as whole grains, legumes, vegetables, and fruits. For example, sauerkraut and soaked dried fruits (such as prunes) have a laxative effect.
An additional hemorrhoid home remedy with lots of fiber is wheat bran, flaxseed or Indian psyllium. You can take one tablespoon of it a day, along with at least a glass of water. The combination with a lot of fluid ensures that the swelling substances in the intestine can swell well.
Generally, you should watch out for constipation on ample fluid intake. 1.5 to 2 liters per day are recommended, preferably in the form of water or tea.
Avoid stuffing foods like bitter chocolate, cocoa, blueberries, grated apple, and pureed banana. Also unfavorable is long-drawn black tea.
Avoid foods that irritate the mucous membrane. These include coffee and spicy foods.
How to Treat Hemorrhoids at Home
Hemorrhoids home remedies: More tips
What helps with hemorrhoids, is also a lot of exercises: Who is regularly physically active, gets his gut going. This prevents constipation and facilitates bowel movements - a great advantage for painful hemorrhoids!Be careful with laxatives! Some make the intestine sluggish with prolonged ingestion and thus produce a new blockage.
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By the way, obesity promotes the development of annoying hemorrhoids. Therefore, if you are overweight, you should lose weight. A healthy diet and plenty of exercise help.
Quick help with hemorrhoids offers sitz baths with anti-inflammatory tannins such as oak bark. This home remedy for hemorrhoids stops the inflammatory process at the anus and thus helps against itching and pain.
If you have pain while sitting, you can use a hemorrhoid pillow. This is usually an inflatable ring that does not stress the affected area when sitting, thus reducing the acute discomfort. By the way, a pillow is also helpful if you have pain while sitting after a hemorrhoid operation.