Hemorrhoids: Symptoms and Treatment

Symptoms

The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids are the presence of bright red streaks of blood
on the toilet paper or on top of the stool, maybe in the toilet bowl. There might be
itching or pain, maybe painful to clean the area.

Be aware that rectal bleeding can mean a more serious condition like colon or
rectal cancer, and you should schedule an appointment with your physician right away.
If you notice bleeding from the rectum when not trying to use the bathroom, contact your
doctor immediately. This might be serious.

Keep in mind that the symptoms for hemorrhoids mimic the symptoms for anal fissures,
which are cracks or tears in the skin of the anus. So be sure and tell your doctor
EVERYTHING. Even the things that seem not important, could be the very things that
the doctor needs to know to give you a correct diagnosis.

Contact your doctor immediately if:

1. You have fever with bleeding of the rectum.
2. You have rectal pain that persists for more than one week.
3. You have severe swelling.
4. You have an enlarging lump inside the anus.

If you are older than 50, and someone in your family has had colon or rectal cancer,
consult your doctor and schedule a colonoscopy.

In highly unusual cases, gangrene can be caused by the protruding hemorrhoid that will
not go back up inside. This is called an incarcerated hemorrhoid. This causes the blood
vessels to die. This condition known as gangrene requires immediate medical attention.

Causes

Hemorrhoids are commonly inherited but there are other several factors that play a key role in the formation of hemorrhoids.

One being, during the third trimester of pregnancy, even more pressure is being applied
to the veins of the pelvic and rectal area. This increasing pressure causes blood to
pool in the veins, causing them to swell, resulting in the swollen veins stretching
surrounding tissue.

Do not let yourself become dehydrated. Drink plenty of fluids. Preferably water. The recommended daily amount is 8 8-oz. glasses of water per day.

Factors that Can Make Hemorrhoids Worsen

1. Prolonged sitting or standing.
2. Lifting heavy objects, especially if done frequently, can be an onset for a sudden increase of pressure in the blood vessels.

Treatments

First, let us go over some of the more simple steps that can be taken at home
to possibly prevent or lessen the symptoms of hemorrhoids.

Make sure you include fiber-rich foods in your daily diet, this will allow the stool
to pass without difficulty or straining. You know you have heard about the “all-famous”
fruits and veggies. Be sure to get at least five servings of those fruits and veggies
each and everyday for optimal colon health.

Reminder: drink that water. No sodas please.

• Cut back your intake of ice cream, cheese and red meat.
• Avoid caffeine. Caffeine causes dehydration, stripping the body of it’s natural
  fluids, which leads to constipation.
• Stay away from those laxatives. Stool softeners can provide some comfort.
• Avoid nuts, foods that are spicy, and especially alcohol.
• Moderate exercise can be of some help. Do not overdo it, though. A short walk in the
  park will be suffice.
• Do not delay your bowel movements. You feel the urge now, you go now.
• Avoid aspirin. Aspirin gives you the tendency to bleed more.
• As far as soap goes, no perfumed or dyed soaps. Tucks or baby wipes will do the
  job just fine.
• Applying Grins and Giggles Oatmeal Baby lotion on the anal area after each and
  every bowel movement provides some comfort.
• If you are pregnant, lie on your side. If not pregnant, sleep on your stomach,
  and place a pillow underneath you. This will help the swelling of the hemorrhoids.
• Only wear cotton underwear. Make sure your clothes are nice and loose.
• Try petroleum jelly, or suppositories like Preparation H. But do not use for
  more than ten days. Ointments containing hydro-cortisone can provide relief for
  itching. Do not use for more than two weeks.
• Surgery is usually considered the last resort treatment for hemorrhoids.

I saw on the Oprah Winfrey show, Dr. Oz was the featured guest. He was talking
about hemorrhoids and anal fissures. Believe it or not, he suggested using a
hair dryer for the anal area. He also suggested using a heating pad for a few
minutes a day.

I located a product called “Hemorrhoids No More”, which is an organic formula.
You can find this on ivillage.com, click on the Health icon at upper left corner,
type in hemorrhoids, then you will see “eliminate hemorrhoids,” click on it, and
then you will see the bottles about middle of the page.

Alternative Treatments

There are many alternative treatments that I have found to be very effective, if taken
on a daily basis. Pick you up some blueberries, blackberries and cherries.

You might want to pick up a mango while you are there. The mango is one of the top five
most healthiest fruits you will ever eat in your entire lifetime.

Get you some Vitamin C, herbal teas, and other herbal preparations.

Cocoa butter acts as a protectant.

I hope my article will be of some help to all of you out there suffering from hemorrhoids
everyday. I can honestly say I know what it is like. My Mother has suffered with this

condition for years. With each day that passes, she does get a little better.