A number of factors may lead to the formations of hemorrhoids including constipation, diarrhea, bad nutrition (low-fiber diet), increased intra-abdominal pressure (prolonged straining), pregnancy, genetics, absence of valves within the hemorrhoidal veins, and aging. Other factors that can increase the rectal vein pressure resulting in hemorrhoids include obesity and sitting for long periods of time.
During pregnancy, pressure from the fetus on the abdomen and hormonal changes cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. Delivery also leads to increased intra-abdominal pressures. Surgical treatment is rarely needed, as symptoms usually resolve post delivery.
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Hemorrhoids are usually present with itching, rectal pain, rectal bleeding. Other symptoms include fecal incontinence. In most cases, symptoms will resolve within a few days. External hemorrhoids are painful, while internal hemorrhoids usually are not unless they become thrombosed or necrotic. The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is blood covering the stool (a condition known as hematochezia), on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl. They may protrude through the anus. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include painful swelling around the anus.
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The best way to prevent hemorrhoids is to keep stools soft so they pass easily, thus decreasing pressure and straining, and to empty bowels as soon as possible after the urge occurs. Exercise, including walking, and increased fiber in the diet help reduce constipation and straining by producing stools that are softer and easier to pass. Spending less time attempting to defecate and avoiding reading while on the toilet have been recommended. Besides increasing the dietary fiber and oral fluids intake to maintain hydration, conservative treatment may consists also of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and sitz baths. While many creams and suppositories are available for the treatment of hemorrhoids, there is little evidence to support their use. Steroid containing agents should not be used for more than 14 days as they may cause thinning of the skin. Skin protectants such as petroleum jelly or zinc oxide cream may potentially reduce injury and itching.
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There are several treatment procedures:
- Rubber band ligation is a procedure in which elastic bands are applied onto an internal hemorrhoid, to cut off its blood supply. Within 5–7 days, the withered hemorrhoid falls off. Cure rate has been found to be about 87%.
- Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a sclerosing agent, such as phenol, into the hemorrhoid. This causes the vein walls to collapse and the hemorrhoids to shrivel up. The success rate four years after treatment is 70%.
- A number of cauterization methods have been shown to be effective for hemorrhoids, but are usually only used when other methods fail. This can be done using electrocautery, infrared radiation, laser surgery, or cryosurgery.
Symptomatic hemorrhoids affect at least 50% of the population at some time during their lives, with around 5% of the population suffering at any given time, and both sexes experiencing the same incidence of the condition.
Whether you suffer from the inconvenience caused by hemorrhoids when you need to sit down, or you are in the period after surgical intervention of removing them, now you can get rid of pain and discomfort using PROTECTPERN® (cushion for anal protection – hemorrhoids). By its form and constitution, PROTECTPERN® protects you from the pressure between body weight and chair, and thus, guaranteed, you will regain your every day comfort!
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