According to abbreviationfinder, hemorrhoids are not a disease directly, but the colloquial term for a hemorrhoidal disease. Hemorrhoids are natural erectile tissue in the anal area. If the haemorrhoids are blocked with blood and its drainage is disturbed, this is referred to as haemorrhoidal disease. These knot-like bulges in the mucous membrane are accompanied by the typical symptoms such as itching, burning pain, weeping and bleeding in the anal area.
What are hemorrhoids?
Schematic representation of the different degrees of disease in hemorrhoids.
Even if most people don’t know it, everyone already has hemorrhoids. They are natural nodular spongy bodies on the anus and sphincter. The hemorrhoids are supplied with blood and ensure a healthy and natural seal between the anus and the rectum. Hemorrhoids are not a disease. However, they can become inflamed, which then causes the well-known painful symptoms.
The well-known complaints, under which hemorrhoids are known, should be described medically as hemorrhoidal disease. The knots are the most importantstrongenlarged and bulged and then cause painful reactions in the anal area.
Causes
The causes of hemorrhoids can be wide ranging. Constipation, obesity and weak connective tissue are often the main causes. Especially when the anal area is under high pressure, such as when you strain hard while defecation. Hemorrhoids are particularly common in chronic constipation.
Other causes are predominantly sedentary activities and pregnancy. Hemorrhoids are also more common in old age, since the sphincter muscle is often more slack in older people than in younger people.
Symptoms, Ailments & Signs
The complaints and symptoms are divided into four stages. However, not all symptoms have to occur in every affected person at every stage, but it is also possible that the symptoms relevant to one stage occur in the other stages. Even slight burning and itching in the anal area must be taken seriously, as these symptoms are often the first indication of hemorrhoids.
If there is no clarification and treatment, there will be pain when sitting and when having a bowel movement. In rare cases, especially if the dilatation of the lower rectal veins has persisted for a long time, bleeding from them can occur. While the itching and burning are classified as uncomfortable, the bleeding is very serious.
With long-lasting blood loss, the general condition of those affected deteriorates. Again and again it happens that a hemorrhoid node becomes infected. Then a rough, bulging tumor develops, which causes severe pain. In stage one, the person affected often does not yet know that they have hemorrhoids, only occasionally noticing a little blood on the toilet paper.
Burning, itching and weeping occur in stage two, stage three is characterized by a foreign body sensation and the feeling of not being able to completely empty the bowel. Stage four is characterized by severe pain and major problems with bowel movements.
course of the disease
The course of enlarged hemorrhoids or hemorrhoidal disease can vary. It depends on whether the person is seeking medical treatment, treating themselves, or simply doing nothing and waiting. It is more than advisable to consult a doctor about hemorrhoids in order to prevent unwanted complications and severe pain in good time.
If hemorrhoids are left untreated, sore spots are mainly caused by the rubbing of toilet paper. These spots can ooze and form eczema, or ulcers known as anal fissures.
In addition, large-scale infections can spread, since there are many bacteria in the anal region in particular. It is not uncommon for painful foci of pus and abscesses to develop in this context, which can then only be surgically removed. Likewise, when the hemorrhoids burst, unpleasant bleeding can occur, which then has to be treated by a doctor.
Complications
Hemorrhoids cause various symptoms that can severely limit the patient’s everyday life. In most cases, severe and burning pain occurs, which is also associated with itching. The skin is reddened in the affected areas and the patient often finds blood in the stool. Bloody stools can also lead to panic attacks.
Furthermore, ulcers and eczema can develop, which are fraught with complications. The affected person also suffers from infections and inflammation in the anal region. Many people are ashamed of having hemorrhoids, which can lead to inferiority complexes and reduced self-esteem. The treatment of hemorrhoids usually takes place without any particular complications and quickly leads to a positive course of the disease.
Ointments and creams are mainly used for this. The sufferer must also maintain a healthy lifestyle. In serious cases, surgical interventions must be carried out, whereby there are also no special complications. After treatment, most symptoms disappear and the patient’s life expectancy is not reduced by the hemorrhoids.
When should you go to the doctor?
Even if there is a suspicion that hemorrhoids could be present, a doctor should be consulted at short notice. The first symptoms such as burning or bleeding during bowel movements should be a trigger for a doctor’s visit. Especially when the level of suffering is not particularly great, many patients shy away from going to the doctor. In the early stages of the disease, treatment is particularly uncomplicated.
If the symptoms are already more advanced, i.e. haemorrhoids are already emerging from the anus in addition to bleeding, itching and burning, a specialist should be consulted immediately. The hemorrhoids occasionally pull back on their own or can be pushed back by hand without any major problems. However, without treatment, the symptoms of hemorrhoids will rapidly worsen. Although successful treatment is still possible later in the course of the disease, the risk of incontinence also increases. In addition, the doctor will want to rule out other, much more serious illnesses with similar symptoms – such as colon cancer.
Patients can either contact their family doctor, who can come to an initial assessment. However, it makes more sense to consult a specialist directly. These are either proctologists who have specialized in diseases of the rectum or urologists or dermatologists.
Treatment & Therapy
The treatment of hemorrhoids depends on the severity of the symptoms. Nevertheless, medical help should always be sought. For milder symptoms, hemorrhoid ointments or hemorrhoid suppositories are usually successful. Surgical interventions can also be considered for large or very complicated hemorrhoids.
In addition to medical treatment with ointments and suppositories, you should ensure softer bowel movements by changing your diet. Likewise, all foods that stimulate constipation should be avoided. These include chocolate, red wine and white flour products. Rather, you should pay attention to a high-fiber diet. This can be achieved with a lot of raw food (fruits and vegetables). Whole grain products are also good.
In addition, you should move more. Sports, hiking or gardening are best suited for this. You should also drink a lot. If possible 2 liters per day. In addition to diet, hygiene also plays a key role in treating and recovering from hemorrhoids. Baths with chamomile extracts are very suitable for this. However, cosmetics and fragrances should be avoided, as they only irritate the anal region unnecessarily.
Prevention
As a rule, hemorrhoids can be prevented by a balanced diet rich in fiber and sufficient exercise, as these measures themselves ensure healthy and regular bowel movements. In addition, the doctor can also prescribe hemorrhoid ointments and anti-inflammatory suppositories. Surgical interventions can also be considered for large or very complicated haemorrhoids.
Aftercare
There are a number of ways you can help yourself with hemorrhoids. To relieve the symptoms, hemorrhoid ointments, creams, suppositories, anal tampons or various home remedies such as hip baths can be used. The self-help measures alleviate the symptoms, but the hemorrhoids do not go away.
The cause of the occurrence of hemorrhoids must be determined so that they can be eliminated. In this case, the person concerned should consult a doctor. He will then advise the person concerned in detail and find ways and means to take action against the hemorrhoids. The family doctor can prescribe all ointments and creams against hemorrhoids, but it is advisable to go to a proctologist.
This is specifically specialized in the treatment of diseases such as hemorrhoids and can provide specific help. To prevent the hemorrhoids from getting worse, the sufferer should take care not to get constipated. To prevent this, a lot of exercise should be on the daily schedule. This can be done, for example, by going swimming or cycling.
A balanced diet is also important. Those affected should drink at least 1.5 to 2 liters of water a day and eat plenty of fruit and vegetables. It should be ensured that cotton underwear is worn, as this is more compatible with irritated skin.
You can do that yourself
In the case of hemorrhoids, the person affected can use various methods and techniques to alleviate the symptoms in everyday life or to prevent an illness in good time.
Basically, in the case of problems and skin changes on the anus, the use of laxatives should be avoided. If you feel itchy, you should not give in to it unabated, as this would lead to open wounds and the spread of germs. Anal intercourse and the use of love toys for the anus should also be avoided if possible, as this can also damage the skin. Be careful when going to the toilet. Adequate rest and a prior intake of [[hydration|hydration] are helpful. Do not strain or push hard during bowel movements.
Sufficient exercise should take place during the day. However, overloading and excessive stress should be avoided. The food you eat should be rich in vitamins and have a high fluid content. All foods that can cause constipation should be avoided. They include bananas, white bread, potatoes or rice. Fiber, such as muesli, whole grain bread, fruit, and oatmeal are recommended for hemorrhoids.
Wearing tight clothing in the intimate area should be avoided. Likewise, items of clothing with synthetic fibers should be exchanged for items of clothing containing cotton. The abdomen must be adequately protected from the effects of cold.
