What Are Hemroids? What Do They Look Like and What Causes Hemroids?

Many people are too embarrased to talk about their hemroids so they suffer quietly, not really knowing where to turn or what to do. Are you one of them? You are not alone. Statistically over half of the adult population will experience bleeding, swelling and/or pain caused by hemroids.

What are hemroids? Hemroids, also known as piles, are a swelling or inflammation of some of the blood veins in the rectum and/or anus.

Internal hemroids occur inside the rectum. These are usually not painful due to the fact that there are no pain receptors in that area. They may, however, bleed when irritated. Untreated, internal hemroids can lead to prolapsed and/or strangulated hemroids.

External hemroids are those that occur outside of the end of the anal canal. These can be very painful, and are usually accompanied by swelling and irritation. The hemroids may become what is known as a thrombosed hemroids if the vein ruptures and a bloodclot develops.
Pregnancy, constipation, chronic diarrhea, and not enough fiber in your diet are all possible causes of hemroids. It is believed that genetics may also contribute to hemroid development. Insufficient hydration caused by not drinking enough water can cause hard stool, which can cause irritation to the hemroid. This can also be caused by drinking too much of a diuretic liquid such as coffee or cokes. An excess of lactic acid in the stool, a product of excessive consumption of milk products such as cheese, can cause irritation and a reduction of consumption can bring relief.

Additional factors that can cause hemroids, for those with a genetic predisposition, are obesity and a sedentary lifestyle.

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Hemroids treatments are usually addressed in one of two ways: non-surgically and surgically.

The non surgical options for treatment of hemroids are designed to relieve the symptoms of hemroids.

They include:

Tub baths or Sitz baths several times a day in plain, warm water for about 10 minutes

Application of a hemorroidal cream

Suppositories placed in the rectum

The surgical options for removal of hemroids include:

Rubber band ligation - A rubber band is placed around the base of the hemroid inside the rectum. The band cuts off circulation, and the hemroid withers away within a few days.

Sclerotherapy - the injection of a chemical solution around the blood vessel shrinks the hemroid.

Infrared coagulation - Hemorrhoidal tissue is burned with a special device.

Hemorrhoidectomy - Occasionally, extensive or severe internal or external hemroids may require removal by surgery known as hemorrhoidectomy.

Preventing the recurrence of hemroids will require relieving the pressure and straining of constipation. Doctors will often recommend increasing fiber and fluids in the diet. The proper amount of fiber in your diet and drinking six to eight glasses of non alcoholic fluids will result in softer, bulkier stools. A softer stool lessens the pressure on hemroids caused by straining. To prevent the hemroids from protruding you should try to eliminate straining.