Hemorrhoids. Causes, symptoms, treatment and prevention

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins located around the lower rectum and anus. They can become inflamed over time. They are a condition that starts in a similar way to varicose veins in the legs.

All people have these clumps of veins, but changes in their size and structure occur in a certain group of patients. These changes are maintained by certain pathological conditions or occur under the influence of certain causes, at which point the veins begin to resemble vascular cushions and swell. These changes are also the onset of hemorrhoidal disease. Later they may become inflamed, cause local pain, bleed and become visible on the outside.

Haemorrhoids are most common in pregnancy, especially in the last trimester, but also in obese patients, those with chronic constipation and those with an unbalanced diet.

Hemorrhoids causes

The most common cause of hemorrhoids is unknown. But a sedentary lifestyle, constipation, obesity and sitting for long periods are factors that favor the onset of the disease.

• Chronic constipation is a major cause in the development of hemorrhoidal disease. The obstructed defecation, forms an obstacle to blood circulation by building up pressure in the rectal area. This results in inflammation of the blood vessels.
• Obesity, prolonged sitting and heavy lifting are factors leading to hemorrhoids. Doctors say that pressure builds up in the pelvic area and especially in the anal area, which disrupts blood circulation and causes inflammation of the blood vessels.
• Sedentary lifestyle - sitting for long periods of time and daily sitting, lack of movement increase the risk of hemorrhoids.
• Diet - eating spicy foods with a lot of spices favors the development of hemorrhoids. So ideally you should steer clear of pepper, garlic, onions and hot mustard.
• Regular consumption of alcohol - leads over time to worsening of already existing hemorrhoids and dilation of blood vessels in the rectal area.
• Poor hydration - low water intake slows bowel transit and favors the onset of constipation and the development of hemorrhoids.
• A low-fiber diet leads to constipation.

Types of hemorrhoids

• Internal hemorrhoids - located inside the rectum;
• External hemorrhoids - develop under the skin around the anus;

The only symptom that tells us about the occurrence of internal hemorrhoids is the presence of blood in the stool, as internal hemorrhoids do not give pain.

External hemorrhoids give local discomfort and pain, because they occur under the skin around the anus, where there are numerous nerves.

We distinguish 4 stages of development of hemorrhoids, depending on which the proctologist determines the treatment:

• Hemorrhoids grade 1 - when the localization of hemorrhoids is only in the anal canal;
• Grade 2 haemorrhoids - when they begin to externalize immediately after defecation and recede later;
• Grade 3 hemorrhoids - when they appear after the act of defecation and do not retract;
• Hemorrhoids grade 4 - are those that appear and remain outward all the time and are the most severe.

Hemorrhoids symptoms

The main symptoms and signs of hemorrhoids are:

• pain during stool;
• bleeding after defecation
• local discomfort when sitting;
• itching in the anus;
• increased sensitivity around the anus;
• hemorrhoids around the anal opening;

The manifestations of internal hemorrhoids are: itching in the anal area, blood stains in the stool, sensation of pain before and after elimination of fecal masses.

External hemorrhoids have the following symptoms: blood spots in the stool, pain during defecation.

Diagnosing hemorrhoids

Your proctologist will give you the correct diagnosis. Usually, the doctor orders the following investigations: lower endoscopy, videoanuscopy, colonoscopy and rectal cough. The investigation that is used for differential diagnosis is colonoscopy. It helps in excluding serious diseases such as colitis and colon cancer.

Treatment of hemorrhoids

Treatment of hemorrhoids is chosen depending on their severity and degree. Uncomplicated symptomatic hemorrhoids require conservative treatment, the basic aim being to treat the primary condition that gave rise to the hemorrhoid. The treatment of symptomatic hemorrhoids depends on their evolution and stage.

External hemorrhoids treatment

Treatment of external hemorrhoids depends on whether they are symptomatic or not. Asymptomatic external hemorrhoids only require hygienic and dietary measures.

Depending on the severity of the symptoms and their degree, treatment may be conservative, medicinal, surgical or non-surgical, homeopathic.

Hygiene and dietary measures:

• Reduce consumption of alcohol and other exciting drinks (black tea, coffee);
• Avoid spices;
• Drink plenty of fluids (minimum 2 liters per day);
• Avoid sitting for long periods (alternate with gymnastics and short walks);
• Exercise regularly - jogging, walking, light running;
• Avoid constipation - eat high fiber foods (fresh or dried fruits, green vegetables, cereals);
• Avoid sports that promote hemorrhoidal disease (cycling, horse riding, motorcycling);

Maintaining hygiene, especially in the case of internal hemorrhoids, can be done with Proctinum wet wipes. These wipes contain active ingredients with a repairing, soothing, anti-inflammatory and moisturizing action.

Proctinum wet wipes for anorectal hygiene, 72 pieces, Zdrovit

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7.80 €

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Conservative treatment

The most important conservative intervention involves a high-fiber diet combined with adequate fluid intake. Avoid spices, alcohol, animal fats, and medications that cause diarrhea or constipation.

Reducing toileting time, movement and prompt stool evacuation are interventions that reduce straining and constipation.

Anal discomfort is soothed by a warm bath. The measures listed above, especially fiber supplementation in the diet are sufficient to resolve and relieve hemorrhoidal disease in stages I-III.

Drug treatment

Medications for hemorrhoids are given symptomatically, include a wide range and are applied topically. Drug treatment is very effective and most recommended in the early stages of the disease.

Antihaemorrhoidal drugs include various medicinal agents such as anti-inflammatory, astringent, venotonic, antiseptic, protective substances.

Reduction of the inflammatory process can be achieved with:

• Creams for hemorrhoids: Proctinum, Proctoliz Med, Assista Proctorapid;

Proctinum cream, 30 ml, Zdrovit

39

11.10 €

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Proctoliz Med anti-haemorrhoidal cream, 25 g, Look Ahead

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9 €

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Watch ProctoRapid cream x 25 g

39

12.40 €

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• Hemorrhoid ointments: NeoFitoroid Bio, RectoStop Ultra;

NeoFitoroid Bio ointment, 40 ml, Aboca

12.60 €

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• Hemorrhoid suppositories: Assista Proctorapid, HemoTreat, Hemorsan;

Hemorrhoid suppositories HemoTreat H, 12 pieces, GlobalTreat

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10.90 €

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Watch ProctoRapid x 10 suppositories.

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19.40 €

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Surgical treatment

It is used when non-surgical procedures fail to relieve hemorrhoids in the long term. Grade III or IV hemorrhoids that cannot be treated on an outpatient basis undergo hemorrhoidectomy.

Non-surgical treatment

This includes non-surgical or minimally invasive procedures. They are used depending on the degree of hemorrhoid development and may also have post-interventional complications. Cryotherapy, sclerotherapy, bipolar diathermy, elastic band ligation, infrared photocoagulation, electrotherapy are used.

Homeopathic and phytotherapeutic treatment

Homeopathic treatment of hemorrhoids involves the administration of herbal products, used internally or by external application.

External applications are soothing, antiseptic, healing and hemostatic. Chamomile cream, Optima ointment with marigold, Marigold and sea buckthorn ointment , Marigold and sea buckthorn ointment. These products based on natural extracts can also be used for hemorrhoids in children.

Ointment with total extract of marigold and sea buckthorn, 40 g, Ceta Sibiu

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2.80 €

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Optima Marigold Ointment, 40 ml, Favisan

5.80 €

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Chamomile ointment cream, 20 g, Ceta Sibiu

35

1.90 €

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