A hemorrhoid is a serious disease in the digestive system. Hemorrhoids are a diseased condition in which many of the veins around lower rectum or anus get inflamed and swollen. Hemorrhoids may be inside or outside the anal canal.
Hemorrhoids inside the anal canal are called internal hemorrhoids and those outside are called external hemorrhoids. Swelling and intermittent discomfort are the first symptoms of hemorrhoids. Bleeding may also start with the bowel movements. Sometimes both internal and external hemorrhoids exist at the same time. Pressure on the anal muscles and surfaces is the primary reason for
hemorrhoids. This pressure can be caused by frequent straining to get a bowel movement due to constipation, pressure exerted by the fetus during pregnancy, continuous diarrhea, obesity, liver cirrhosis etc.
Internal hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids affect the anus passage way and painless. Internal
hemorrhoids may sometimes become painful when they protrude outside the anus. Then they appear as little grape like lumps. This type of internal hemorrhoids is very painful.
External hemorrhoids
External
hemorrhoids develop near to the opening of anus. They are normally very painful since the skin is extra sensitive at that part. Sometimes they are only irritating protrusions and not painful. This makes cleaning of that part ineffective and hence lead to unhygienic situations.
Symptoms of hemorrhoids
Blood on the toilet paper after a bowel movement , blood in the stool, blood in the toilet water etc suggest a bleeding
hemorrhoid due breakage of blood vessels. A grape like flesh hanging outside the anus which may be itchy or painful or may leak a fluid or mucus is a case of hemorrhoid. Sometimes this mass can be pressed inside, back to the anus. An external
hemorrhoid is characterized by a bulged rim of the anus that is painful. This lump of meat will have either a purple or blue tint. Rectal bleeding is a symptom of extremely serious hemorrhoid.
Prevention of hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be prevented by preventing constipation. Change in food habits and lifestyle can help to soften the stool and establish a schedule that is regular for the bowel movements. The straining can be avoided and a relaxed bowel movement will prevent hemorrhoid. More and more fibrous food should be taken in to clean the stomach and for preventing constipation. High fiber food like beans, carrots, broccoli, whole grains, bran fresh fruits etc have to be included in the food to make the bowel movements easier and relaxed to get rid of
hemorrhoids. Adequate amounts of fluid intake are necessary since inadequate amount of liquids will make the stool dry and this will bruise the internal anal surface. Exercise must be included in the lifestyle to move the muscles and make them flexible. Twenty minutes of brisk walking is an excellent idea. Training the digestive system for regular bowel movements is also a very good step in preventing
hemorrhoids. Anything that will pressurize the anal muscles has to be strictly avoided to get rid of hemorrhoids and prevent them.
