Hemroids are the commonest disease of the anal canal. How are they formed? When varicose veins around the anal canal become dilated, they form or combine with some amount of inflammatory tissues leading to some swellings which may bleed or cause pain on emptying the bowels, and if they get worse, they may cause pain and ache to the patient. Hemroids are known to occur at any point in the life of an individual, but the appearance and severity of the disease increases with age. Cases of hemroids are usually noticed at about thirty years of age and about half the number of people aged 50 years and above usually suffer from hemroids. These types of infections cause a lot of discomfort but patients should not be over bothered when such inflammations occur.



What causes hemroid problems?

Hemroids are caused by unwarranted pressure or stress in and around the rectum or anus. As pressure builds up in the blood vessels, they become swollen which cause the sphincter or muscles and tissues surrounding the anal entry to become stretched or dilated. These dilated tissues become weak such that anal movement of fecal matter or even air can cause some pains and aches. What are the causes of pressure in the blood vessels? These can be as a result of a hurry in emptying the bowels or forceful evacuation of the bowels, or from constipation or the result of prolonged diarrhea.

Hemroids can also be caused by obesity during pregnancy or by the pelvic push during labor in pregnant women. During this process, there is an increment in blood pressure around the pelvic regions causing the return of flow of blood which can culminate into a tumor.

What are the types of hemroids?

There are basically two types of hemroids: internal and external hemroids. Both types can appear in the same person in the later stages of external hemroids.

Internal hemroids occur in the veins found within the cavity of the anal canal. It is only late in the disease when they become large that they are protruded outside. Internal hemroids have four stages of seriousness. In the first stage, the hemroid is still within the anal cavity. In the second stage, swellings occur which only comes out on emptying the bowels. The swellings go back voluntarily after bowel actions. In the third stage, the hemroid protrudes out of the anal cavity upon emptying of the bowels. It stays out and can only be pushed back with the hands. It may even come out without there being any bowel movement. In the last stage, the hemroid protrudes out of the anus and can no longer be sent back into the anal cavity. It is at this stage that severe medical attention is needed. Hemroids are treated depending upon their level of severity.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms in the cases of internal hemroids appear in the form of occurrences of sudden, rather sharp discomfort around the anus. In some cases, evidence of small amounts of blood and mucus are noticeable. At first, there is rarely any real pain rather than discomfort and if a vein should be blocked by a blood clot, severe pains will be noticed.

An external hemroid is very pertinent to notice by a sudden pain, the appearance of a lump outside the anal canal which ranges from a pea size to a grape size. It is very painful and sensitive to touch.

How are hemroids treated?

Treatment for hemroids varies with the severity of occurrence. Internal hemroids are very easy and comfortable to handle. The treatment can be taken anywhere and at any time. These range from the intake of fiber to the use of astringents and can be done without the doctor’s prescription.

Treatment of External hemroids is difficult and in most cases, surgery is required. Treatments include rubber band ligation, clerotherapy, coagulation therapy or hemorrhoidectomy. Preventive methods are best to curative methods.