It may be embarrassing to admit it and a lot of people poke fun at the condition, but millions of people suffer from hemorrhoids and need to find a way to deal with them. Just because it concerns a part of our bodies we usually find awkward to think about, it doesn’t mean they can’t be a serious concern.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum or around the anus. They can be internal or external depending on where they develop, either inside the rectum or outside around the anus. They develop due to the habit of regularly straining while having a bowel movement.
The reason for this straining habit is usually hard and large stools. It is also possible that the condition is caused by constipation making the sufferer think the best solution is to force a bowel movement. A person’s tendency to develop hemorrhoids is genetic so even if a person does not have the habit of regularly straining during bowel movements, a few instances of doing this may already result to the development of hemorrhoids. Occasionally, pregnancy can also cause hemorrhoids because the enlarged uterus may exert pressure on the veins of the colon.
One of the common questions hemorrhoid sufferers ask is ‘Do hemorrhoids smell, itch, burst and cause pain?’
Do hemorrhoids smell?
Hemorrhoids themselves will not smell because the swollen veins are still under the membrane of the rectum. What actually occurs when odor accompanies hemorrhoids is that some fecal matter gets trapped or stuck around the hemorrhoid. If there is some pain or bleeding, the sufferer may not wipe as thoroughly after a bowel movement thus contributing to the odor. If this is the case, it will be helpful to use gentler options like softer tissues or even pre-moistened wipes. An alternative is to use water for washing. A gentle spray of water directed to the anus after a bowel movement may be better for bleeding or painful hemorrhoids because pressure from the hand is avoided. The coolness of the water can also sooth the pain.
Do hemorrhoids itch?
Hemorrhoids will sometimes feel itchy because of inflammation or irritation usually caused by certain foods. Spicy or hot foods will cause more irritation because the spiciness remains in the stools which can then be felt in the anus. Thus, it will be a good idea to refrain from eating too much spicy foods. The more sensitive persons may not be able to handle even only one spicy meal. Tomatoes and tomato based products, alcohol, citrus and other acidic fruits, dairy, and carbonated drinks may also cause irritation. A person has to use trial and error to determine which foods will affect him.
The itchiness may also be caused by perfume found in some toilet paper, wipes or soap used to cleanse the anal area. If so, it is wise to use products without fragrance. Like with food, a trial and error method will determine what is best for each sufferer.
In case the irritation is already present, a doctor can recommend ointments which provide soothing relief. No matter what the cause, itchy hemorrhoids must not be scratched to prevent further irritation particularly for external hemorrhoids since scratching them might lead to their tearing and bleeding. Cleanliness is also important – as long as no irritating cleansers or wipes are used – in preventing itchiness since trapped fecal matter may cause infections around the anus.
Do hemorrhoids cause pain?
As already mentioned, external hemorrhoids can burst when carelessly scratched; yet internal hemorrhoids can also burst when stools are large and the habit of straining the bowels is retained. A burst hemorrhoid will cause pain and bleeding which intensifies during bowel movements. When fresh blood in the stool or in the tissues or wipes used is observed, it is best to seek a doctor’s advice just in case there is another reason for the bleeding. In any case, even if there is no other reason for the bleeding besides the burst hemorrhoid, it may be important for a doctor to check the extent of the damage.
Do hemorrhoids burst?
Fourth, a hemorrhoid can be painful while the sufferer is having a bowel movement. The stools, particularly if hard and large, will press on the hemorrhoid and the pressure will cause pain. The pain may remain until after the bowel movement causing the sufferer to feel uncomfortable especially when moving from sitting to standing position. A warm Epsom salt bath may ease the pain and may also help with the itchiness as well as shrink the swelling albeit only temporarily. If stools are always hard and large, a fiber-rich diet may be the best way deal with this in the long-run. Alternatively, if an immediate solution is necessary, the sufferer may use a laxative which softens stools.
Dealing With Hemorrhoids
These are the means to deal with the unpleasant and uncomfortable symptoms of hemorrhoids. How do we prevent these symptoms from worsening? And also, for families prone to hemorrhoids, how can they be prevented in the first place?
One very important tip to prevent hemorrhoids and to lessen their symptoms is to eat a high fiber diet. Besides the usual health benefits of preventing colon cancer and helping to maintain normal weight, a high fiber diet will prevent constipation which is the common cause of hemorrhoids. A high fiber diet can also prevent the formation of hard stools thus preventing the need to strain the rectum.
Another way to prevent hard stools is to drink enough water. The large intestine can absorb water from the stools and a dehydrated body will adapt by doing this.
Another helpful tip especially for families prone to the condition is to train children to develop regular bowel movements. An individual must find his natural rhythm of when the bowels must be moved. Someone who feels the need to move his bowels at night must not be forced to do so in the mornings because this confuses the digestive process and may result to constipation. Forcing someone to hold in the bowels may also result to large stools which will then require the straining of rectal muscles.
These tips are helpful only for small hemorrhoids. For the larger ones which cause severe pain and serious blockages in the bowels, surgery might be necessary. Only a doctor can decide if surgery is the best solution. After surgery, the patient should still maintain the good habits which prevent hemorrhoids from forming or else the problem might reoccur.
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