Hemorrhoids Definition, Reason, Symptoms, Treatment & Prevention
Definition
Hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids in medical language are called hemorrhoids, is a condition in which there is dilation of the blood vessels located around the anus. These dilated anal blood vessels are often severely stretched, thinned, and irritated.
This condition especially occurs when the risk factors continue to recur (for example, having frequent hard bowel movements). This is what leads to hemorrhoid complications, namely anemia to shock if there is so much bleeding from the irritated blood vessels.
There are two classifications of hemorrhoids:
Interna
In this condition, the hemorrhoids that form are deep enough that the patient cannot see or feel the dilation of the blood vessels that occur.
External
Hemorrhoids are formed from blood vessels that are located outside of internal hemorrhoids. When passing stools, hemorrhoids often pop out so that the sufferer can easily see and feel them.
External hemorrhoids usually cause the patient to be very uncomfortable due to the ease with which the blood vessels are irritated and cause pain.
Symptoms
The following are symptoms of hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids that generally occur:
- The appearance of fresh blood dripping from the anus during bowel movements
- Itching in the anus
- Painful. Pain arises due to irritation of hemorrhoids due to rubbing against clothes or when sitting. Severe pain can also occur if there are blood clots in the hemorrhoid
- A moist lump appears in the anal area that is pink (brighter) than the surrounding area
- A lump appears from the anus after defecation, the lump can enter by itself or must be pushed first
- Pale, easily limp, not easy to concentrate, if complications of anemia have occurred due to excessive bleeding
If you experience hemorrhoid symptoms as mentioned above, immediately consult a doctor.
Reason
Until now, the cause of hemorrhoids is believed to be a combination of hereditary (genetic) factors. In addition, there are also a number of risk factors that can cause hemorrhoids.
The risk factors are as follows:
- old age
- Recurrent constipation (chronic constipation)
- Frequent straining during bowel movements
- Pregnancy
- Increased pressure in the abdomen (eg due to a tumor)
- Insufficient fiber and fluid needs
- Obesity
- Suffering from chronic cough (for a long time)
Diagnosis
To determine the diagnosis of hemorrhoids, the doctor will carry out a series of diagnostic paths starting from the interview. In the interview, the doctor will explore the complaints that you feel.
Next, a physical examination will be carried out, namely a thorough examination by a doctor. Important inspection details to do include examining the anal area to ensure the cause of the complaint is hemorrhoids. You may be instructed to strain during the exam.
In addition to seeing an overview of the anal area (looking for lumps), the examination may also be accompanied by a digital rectal procedure (inserting a finger into the anus to examine the inner surface of the anus) for suspicion of internal hemorrhoids.
In addition, the examination will also be complemented by looking for signs of anemia as a complication of hemorrhoids (there is paleness in the conjunctiva of the eye).
Supportive examinations may be needed if the results of the physical examination are not satisfactory. For example, because of internal/internal hemorrhoids, there is an operative action plan for hemorrhoids, as well as to look for other possible causes of bleeding from the anus (the most to watch out for is colon cancer).
The supporting examinations are anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy. This examination is carried out by inserting a tool equipped with a camera into the anus, to see a clear and detailed picture of the lower colon area.
Treatment
If you experience signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids or hemorrhoids, then the first thing you should pay attention to is how severe the degree of hemorrhoids is.
If the hemorrhoids are not visible (only felt), they can still go in by themselves, then you can still postpone the visit to the doctor.
Most importantly, seek lifestyle improvements to prevent hemorrhoids from getting worse. This prevention is also important for those of you who have never suffered from hemorrhoids:
- Maintain stool consistency so that it is not hard, namely by consuming food intake that is high in fiber content (for example fruits, vegetables, whole grains, etc.)
- Adequate your fluid intake
- Avoid delaying the process of defecation. Immediately defecate when you feel the signs because feces that are stored for a long time in the large intestine will continue to experience water absorption so that the consistency will harden over time
- Avoid straining too hard and taking too long to have a bowel movement
- Increase physical activity because it has an influence on the smooth running of your digestion
- Avoid doing activities that prolong sitting on the toilet (reading, smoking) because it increases pressure and makes hemorrhoids easier to develop
- Maintain an ideal weight
- Avoid lifting weights that are too heavy, especially with the habit of holding your breath (straining) when lifting heavy weights
It’s another matter if the hemorrhoids are accompanied by complaints of discomfort that really bother you, cause a lot of bleeding, or the hemorrhoids have protruded and can’t go in at all. Usually, you will be advised to immediately visit a doctor to get treatment.
If you experience bleeding from the anus for the first time, then you are also advised to get an examination from a doctor because bleeding through the anus can also be caused by various other diseases such as colon polyps, colon cancer, or Crohn’s disease.