Hemorrhoid Treatment and Symptoms

Although hemroids can be an embarrassing subject to discuss, literally thousands of people suffer from the disorder. By some accounts, nearly 50% of Americans over the age of 50 have suffered from hemroids. How can you tell if you might have hemroids? The general symptoms include itching and discomfort around the anal area, possible blood on stools, swelling around the anal cavity area and sometimes the actual hemroid can be felt as a small bump around the anal opening. For obvious reasons, this is called an external hemorrhoid.

But hemorrhoids can actually be internal as well and not visible to the eye. Usually, internal hemorrhoids don't cause symptoms until you strain while going to the bathroom and then they actually push out of the anal area where they are more prone to becoming inflamed and can cause you more discomfort. Although this may sound quite horrible, it is, in fact, quite common and can usually be treated with over the counter creams and by making some general lifestyle changes.

Rather than just assume you have hemorrhoids and start to treat your symptom, it is important that you consult with a doctor. The main reason for this is to rule out anything that can mirror the symptoms of hemorrhoids such as anal cancer or colon cancer. Your doctor may do a visual exam or perhaps a colonoscopy if he feels it is needed. Everyone over the age of 50 should have a colonoscopy done anyway. If you are 40 and have a family history of these disorders, then your doctor would probably do one just to be safe. Once you have the initial exam done, you only need it done every five years if the results come back negative.

There are several causes of hemorrhoids which include straining while using the toilet, pregnancy, constant diarrhea or constipation, anal sex, being overweight, and, unfortunately, they become more common with age as the muscle and tissue supports for the veins weaken with age.

The good news is, that unless you have a severe case that requires surgery, basic hemorrhoid treatment and prevention consists of taking some simple steps such as eating fiber rich foods and/or a fiber supplement, spend less time sitting, exercise more, and stay hydrated. These simple steps can help you alleviate hemorrhoid symptoms and keep you from getting hemorrhoids in the future. Additional hemorrhoid treatment can include switching to wet wipes without alcohol or perfume instead of toilet paper, ice packs on the inflamed area, bathe in warm water several times a day, and keep the anal area clean and dry.

So, with a simple but potentially embarrassing doctor's exam and some basic lifestyle choices you too can overcome the discomfort of hemorrhoids. Be sure to discuss all your hemroid treatment options with your doctor so that you have the best information available.

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