Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swellings containing enlarged blood vessels that are found inside or around the bottom (the rectum and anus). In many cases, haemorrhoids don't cause symptoms, and some people don't even realise they have them.
Take oral pain relievers.
With these treatments, hemorrhoid symptoms often go away within a week. See your doctor in a week if you don't get relief, or sooner if you have severe pain or bleeding.
Piles usually look like small, round, discoloured lumps. You might be able to feel them on your anus or hanging down from your anal canal. Your anal canal is the short, muscular tube with blood vessels that connects your rectum (back passage) with your anus.
Soft lumps that appear in bunches around the anus. A hard, red lump protruding from the outside of the anal area. Mucus-covered bumps. Bumps that secrete blood when wiped with toilet paper.
Haemorrhoids (piles) often clear up by themselves after a few days. However, there are many treatments that can reduce itching and discomfort. Making simple dietary changes and not straining on the toilet are often recommended first.
The good news is that these swollen veins inside the rectum or outside the anus often resolve on their own within a few days. For some people, however, hemorrhoids become a chronic or recurrent problem. They may even cause pain and interfere with daily activities like walking and sitting.
Grade I: The growth does not cause symptoms and does not protrude out of the anus. Grade II: The piles may prolapse from the anus but return inside independently. Grade III: The piles prolapse and only recede within the anus with manual intervention.
Most mild internal hemorrhoids resolve on their own within a few days but may take up to a week. On the other hand, larger hemorrhoids will last up to 2-3 weeks, and since they're more prone to complications, they might not resolve on their own, and you'll need to visit a doctor.
Hemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to: Straining during bowel movements. Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet. Having chronic diarrhea or constipation.
The condition can be prevented and even treated by maintaining healthy weight and consuming high fibre foods. Initially, your doctor is likely to recommend certain lifestyle changes that can help you manage piles. Body weight: The incidence as well as severity of piles can be reduced by losing weight.
Know When to See Your Doctor
If you're experiencing any type of rectal bleeding. If the hemorrhoids are causing you pain or discomfort. If the problems persist despite trying over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or other remedies. If you're passing stools that look maroon in color or tarry in color, a sign of bleeding.
Hydrocortisone treatments for piles can be called by a variety of brand names including the Anusol range, Anugesic, Germaloids, Perinal, Proctosedyl, Uniroid and Xyloproct.
Myth: Only Older People Get Hemorrhoids
Fact: People can develop hemorrhoids at any age. “While hemorrhoids are most common between ages 45 and 65, it's not unusual to see them in younger adults as well,” Dr. Kimbrough says.
"By straining you are causing more hemorrhoids and creating more symptoms," Dr. Wolf says. Don't delay bowel movements during hemorrhoid flare-ups. Go when you need to go, because putting off bowel movements can worsen constipation, which then aggravates the hemorrhoids.
As with most of the health issues, piles is not permanent because of their very nature - They are swollen veins that have the ability to change as time goes by. There are plenty of ways in which you can cure and solve your piles problem over time.
Piles are a very common ailment that may affect men or women at any age. These are caused due to continuous high pressure in the veins. Other causes include constipation, excessive straining during bowel movements and persistent diarrhoea. These swellings are usually round, discoloured, and small lumps.
Prolapsed hemorrhoids often stretch down until they swell outside the anus. It may shrink back inside the rectum on its own, or you can gently push it back inside.
There is a chance of inflammations and for symptoms to occur again if a hemorrhoid is left untreated for a long time or treated improperly. If inflammation exists, hemorrhoids will be swollen and enlarged. The condition is clearly visible from the outside and the prolapsed hemorrhoid cannot be pushed back inside.
Stress can lead to digestive problems—and straining, due to constipation and diarrhea, can cause hemorrhoid flare-ups. When people are stressed, they tighten their sphincter muscle and put pressure on the rectum. This pressure can cause hemorrhoid flare-ups.
If a blood clot forms inside the hemorrhoids, it can become thrombosed and eventually burst, once the internal pressure increases (during the excessive straining from either constipation or diarrhea).
The lowdown
In fact, regular brisk walking can improve bowel health and reduce your risk of getting them. However, walking will also not cure your hemorrhoids. If they are protruding, particularly painful, or do not go away quickly, you should talk to your doctor about treatment.