Is It Hemorrhoids or Something Else

It may be hemorrhoids if you experience rectal bleeding, itchy skin, and painful bowel movements. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels that have been known to burst to result in blood loss.

The problem with diagnosing hemorrhoids is that many other conditions share these same symptoms- from appendicitis to colon cancer. If you suspect an underlying cause for your symptoms, you must consult a physician as soon as possible so they can thoroughly identify what is causing your health problems.

Keeping a journal detailing your symptoms, especially pain, is important when ascertaining their source. If you have any color change associated with your stool and it's dark in color (black, red), it could be a sign of internal bleeding. Another way to differentiate between them is to examine the consistency of your stool; if it contains fresh blood in clumps or streaks, then this could indicate hemorrhoids that are bleeding.

Hemorrhoids can vary from asymptomatic to causing intense pain and discomfort when passing bowel movements. If you are experiencing severe rectal bleeding accompanied by swollen veins in the anus or heavy pressure in the rectum, you should seek medical help immediately.

All you need to know about Hemorrhoids

Using hemorrhoid creams may help reduce the appearance of swelling and itchiness caused by hemorrhoids. Some creams contain elements that can help reduce swelling and relieve irritation. Consult your doctor before using any over-the-counter cream, as they may not be safe for you. To subside the pain and get an actual cause, consultation with an experienced professional is much needed at this stage.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

The symptoms of hemorrhoids can also include swelling of the anal canal, feeling fullness in the rectum, and the tendency for the area to itch. A bulge or lump may indicate hemorrhoid. Other symptoms include pain and mild bleeding during bowel movements. Bleeding may occur if the blood vessels that feed the hemorrhoids rupture.

Treatment for Bleeding Hemorrhoids

Do not use commercial remedies such as witch hazel and astringents. They usually irritate the anus further and make hemorrhoid symptoms worse. There is no evidence to show that dietary changes stop bleeding hemorrhoids, but maintaining a high-fiber diet can help prevent constipation which commonly causes hemorrhoids in the first place.

If you are experiencing rectal bleeding accompanied by swollen veins in the anus or heavy pressure in the rectum, you should seek medical help at once. Other symptoms of internal bleeding include black or red stools, blood clots or streaks in your stool, cramping pain accompanied by bleeding during bowel movements, and urine that appears pink when it mixes with blood from your rectum. It is better to see a doctor if you have any such symptoms so that he can assess the severity of your condition.

The "Hemorrhoid Emergency Kit" contains the items you'll probably need in a hemorrhoid emergency, but for your convenience, professionals also include a list of other supplies you may need. If required, anything else will be identified in the Hemorrhoids Emergency Kit.

Prevention for Hemorrhoids

Some hemorrhoid creams containing anesthetic and pain-relieving ingredients can help to reduce discomfort and itching temporarily. If you have hemorrhoids, avoid the foods known to aggravate them, including spicy foods, citrus fruits, caffeine, alcohol, and carbonated beverages. It also helps to increase your fiber intake by eating whole grain bread products; fresh fruit; and vegetables such as carrots, broccoli, or corn. Call your doctor for further advice if you experience discomfort after making these dietary changes. It would help if you ate a diet high in fiber since it helps prevent constipation which commonly causes hemorrhoids. Hence, your condition will improve with every passing day.

Hemorrhoids are a widespread problem, especially in people with lower back pain or fatigue. Some people use hemorrhoid cream to help reduce the appearance of swelling and itching caused by hemorrhoids. Others stay at their own risk and treat the condition using over-the-counter products to reduce swelling and irritation. Still, there is no evidence that they work better than the other over-the-counter creams.

Other Treatments for Hemorrhoids

You may find that a hemorrhoid cream helps reduce swelling, irritation, and itching. For the treatment of internal hemorrhoids, an ointment containing phenylephrine is recommended by the American Academy of Family Physicians. Be sure to discuss creams with your doctor before using any of them, as some of them can aggravate hemorrhoid symptoms.

Hemorrhoids can also be treated symptomatically with several medications. Some examples include pain medications such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, and possibly aspirin for mild to moderate pain. Antidiarrheal agents such as loperamide may relieve diarrhea caused by constipation. Pain medication is preferable in acute hemorrhoid emergencies because studies indicate that using NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) while taking blood-thinning medications such as aspirin increases the risk of gastrointestinal bleeding.

The surgical process is usually considered a last resort for treating hemorrhoids since it is the most effective at relieving pain and swelling in most cases. Additionally, studies indicate that surgery may aggravate symptoms in some patients. In most cases, surgery is unnecessary because hemorrhoids shrink on their own. Surgical procedures are expensive and may involve lengthy recovery periods, although laser surgery may reduce recovery time.

Conclusion

On a concluding note, if you have hemorrhoids, you should be aware that the sudden onset of rectal bleeding and severe pain may be internal signs of bleeding. You should seek medical aid if you are in such a situation. A hemorrhoid is a kind of varicose vein in the anal canal and is caused by the same problems that cause varicose veins in other parts of your body: pressure on the venous system and failure of return circulation. If left untreated, they can become life-threatening conditions requiring complicated surgical procedures.

In case of any hemorrhoid situation, it is recommended that you seek the advice of your doctor or another qualified healthcare professional to determine how the condition being treated may affect you and what action is appropriate. He will also help you know the effective treatment's cost and time frame.