Essentially, hemorrhoids occur when the blood vessels in the anus get strained and swollen. They usually cause an itchy discomfort that’s present during pretty much every activity daily life requires—including sitting, standing, walking, and sometimes even laying down. Although it can feel like forever before they go away (and some are extremely stubborn), most cases can be dealt with fairly easily. They’re also quite common, so if you think you have a hemorrhoid, don’t worry: you aren’t alone.
Causes
Extreme pressure on the veins in the anus can cause hemorrhoids to become inflamed and swollen. Any sort of straining during a bowel movement can cause this anal stress, as can spending a lot of time on the toilet. A low fiber diet may result in hemorrhoids, since a high fiber diet makes going to the bathroom easier. While constipation is often associated with this excessive strain, chronic diarrhea can also be problematic. Pregnancy puts extended stress on the muscles and veins in the area, and giving birth is a very common cause because of the extreme and lengthy pushing.
Symptoms
Hemorrhoids can occur both internally and externally. Internal hemorrhoids are usually pretty unobtrusive. They actually form inside the rectum, and often the only sign that they’ve developed is occasional bright red blood on the toilet paper after a strenuous bowel movement. You may notice a little bit of itching or discomfort, but you won’t be able to see them. It is, however, possible for continued strain to actually push the hemorrhoid to the outside, at which point it becomes a prolapsed hemorrhoid, and those can be quite uncomfortable.
External hemorrhoids actually form under the skin on the outside of the anus. They may cause irritation, itching, and a small amount of bleeding when irritated, and some are quite painful even when nothing particularly irritating is going on. A small, discolored bump may appear, often when a clot forms from blood pooling under the surface of the anal skin at the site of the hemorrhoid, called “thrombus.” Hemorrhoids that form a thrombus are often the most painful, irritating, and difficult to get rid of.
Treatment
Over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream is made of petroleum jelly, mineral oil, and phenylephrine (which is used because it makes blood vessels shrink). This cream often provides sufficient relief for mild hemorrhoids when combined with a few lifestyle changes to decrease inflammation.
For more severe cases, your doctor may prescribe a more serious treatment. There are surgical procedures available, as well as less invasive options, such as sclerotherapy, in which the doctor injects a chemical into the hemorrhoid that makes it shrink. Although it can be embarrassing to have to see a physician for such a private problem, unchecked hemorrhoids can not only become worse, but may also become “strangulated." Strangulated hemorrhoids occur when blood supply to the hemorrhoid is cut off. They become extremely painful and can even cause gangrene from dead tissue.
