Coping with Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are inflamed varicose veins of the anus and inside the rectum. Hemorrhoids are also referred to as piles, and are often caused by straining to have a bowel movement. Women tend to have hemorrhoids during pregnancy as the pressure on the veins in the rectal area increases. Some of the most common causes of hemorrhoids are pregnancy and giving birth, constipation and straining to have a bowel movement, obesity, and standing or sitting for long periods of time.

Hemorrhoids manifest as internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are within the rectum. No pain is usually associated with internal hemorrhoids because the lining of the rectum has no pain sensitive nerves. If an internal hemorrhoid should prolapse through the anus it may then become painful. There may be some bleeding noticed as stool passes over the hemorrhoids, causing injury to the fragile membranes there. External hemorrhoids are normally painful. As blood collects in these vericosed veins, clots can form causing swelling of the membranes, severe pain, itching and bleeding.

Many people with hemorrhoids improve with lifestyle changes and self-care; however, if they continue to be bothersome, they should see their doctor as soon as possible. Rectal bleeding is very common with internal hemorrhoids, but bleeding can be caused by other disease processes, so it is very important to be examined by a physician. If you see black tarry stools, report this immediately to your doctor because they may indicate bleeding higher up in the GI tract. And if you should experience profuse rectal bleeding, feel dizzy or faint-get to an emergency room-you could be hemorrhaging.

Your doctor will be able to diagnose your hemorrhoids as internal or external by examining you. External hemorrhoids are visible. Internal hemorrhoids are felt within the rectum by a rectal exam. Your doctor may want to visualize the inside of your rectum with a colonoscope, because all internal hemorrhoids are not felt during a digital exam.