Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that are located in the anal canal between the rectum and the anus. They become swollen as a result of pressure exerted on them because hard stools or the enlarged uterus during pregnancy. There are two types of hemorrhoids: the internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum which is an area sans pain receptors, therefore this often goes unnoticed unless a person feels its presence on seeing blood on tissue paper; the external hemorrhoids are located outside the anal verge and often causes swelling with itching and pain during the bowel movement.
Hemorrhoids are linked mainly with straining at bowel movements. It is caused by either constipation or diarrhea. In a similar way pregnancy is also associated with hemorrhoids. Since these conditions increase pressure on hemorrhoid veins, they become inflamed. The incidence of hemorrhoids is much common and as per estimates about half population becomes victim of this disease on reaching 50.
As far as hemorrhoids treatment is concerned, the best way to avoiding it is maintain soft stools and decrease as much pressure on hemorrhoid veins as possible. In this context it is appropriate to take fibrous diet, do proper exercise and sit in comfortable postures. To decrease the inflammation of hemorrhoids, sitting in warm water thrice a day, avoiding long sittings, and responding to stool urge as soon as possible help decrease the pressure on the rectum and lessen further inflammation, bleeding and discomfort. It is also recommended to dry off the rectum after wetting it from water during bowl movement.
Hemorrhoid treatment also involves over-the-counter-medications in the form of ointments, creams and suppositories. They just decrease the swelling and appear to be comforting the inflicted person. However, the priority of the physicist should be to contain constipation and other abdominal pains that cause pressure on the rectum.
Given that the conditions start spinning out of control and swelling does not appear to stop, surgical options are used to treat the patient. A variety of surgical methods like rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, hemorrhoidectomy are some of the common methods for hemorrhoid treatment.
Rubber band ligation involves the placement of some tight rubber bands around the base of the hemorrhoids vein causing it to block its blood circulation. In sclerotherapy some special kind of chemical is injected into the hemorrhoid while lessening its inflammation. Hemorrhoidectomy is a complex procedure in which the whole hemorrhoid is removed with recurrence chances becoming minimized.
On the whole the ailment of hemorrhoids inflammation may by controlled by taking preventive measures. Then come the traditional treatment methods that also yield substantial results. And finally when every traditional solution quit on the patient, he is left with only surgical treatment.