Hemorrhoids are most of the time not life threatening, but this type of medical condition can affect plenty of people. So how does it affect infants, children, adults, and the elderly?
Hemorrhoids in Babies
You might ask whether hemorrhoids can also happen among babies. After all, hemorrhoids or piles are most often linked to obesity, pregnancy, or aging.
Though very rare, babies or young infants can possibly have hemorrhoids, too. Remember that hemorrhoids occur when the blood vessels in the anus protrude because of impeded blood circulation, or they are triggered when there is a need to pass a large stool.
Technically, babies can have them. In infants, a blue-colored discoloration might form in the anal area. Note that these bluish markings might become more prominent when the baby has to strain real hard. After all, babies can get constipated, too. Sometimes, when the situation becomes more aggravated, fissures or small tears are observed in the anus, and they might bleed slightly when the baby defecates.
Because hemorrhoids among infants rarely happen, it is important that you consult with a pediatrician as soon as possible so that the pain or discomfort experienced by the baby will be minimized. The doctors can prescribe a diet that will address this issue in as a long-term solution. Moreover, the fissures with minimal bleeding should be treated by experts immediately to prevent any possible infections or problems that can possibly escalate into a worse condition.
Hemorrhoids in Kids
You can easily check and see whether your baby suffers from hemorrhoids. After all, it is you who always changes the diapers often, and the baby can easily complain by crying. Meanwhile, this gets trickier with kids because you might not notice the symptoms early unless your child complains and the condition has worsened already.
When your child often has extended stays in the toilet while trying to pass a bowel, you might want to ask him or her whether he or she is having any difficulties passing a bowel.
However, in a worst case scenario, don’t fret when your child develops a hemorrhoid. Adults are often the ones who suffer mostly from it, but children are not spared, too, especially if they are obese. The excess weight they carry makes it more difficult for them to pass a stool, and the strain can irritate and even break the veins in the surrounding anus.
The hemorrhoids in kids are also triggered by chronic diarrhea and irritable bowel syndrome. Parents with children who suffer from portal hypertension should be wary also. An increased blood pressure in the vein that transports blood to the liver is also one of the causes of hemorrhoids among children.
Still, in many instances, hemorrhoids can be prevented, and this can be done by maintaining regular bowel habits. People should include high-fiber meals in their diet, take products with cilium, and they should also consume bulk-forming agents.
The hemorrhoids in kids can be extremely rare. Aside from preventing hemorrhoids, you should be more cautious also that the hemorrhoids are just a manifestation of another health problem that your child might have. Likewise, see a doctor fast so that he or she can recommend any diet or lifestyle changes, medications that soothe the pain, or more permanent solutions, such as surgery.
Hemorrhoids in Teens
The same mechanism still causes hemorrhoids among teens, but you should be more watchful when it comes to your teens because they might be secretive about it. The pain might not be enough for them to tell you that they are experiencing problems from hemorrhoids due to shame and embarrassment. Noticing any changes in their toilet habits? Try talking to them about hemorrhoids, what causes them, and how they can be treated so that your son or daughter can be more open to you about it. As such, you can then help your son or daughter address the problem and find more efficient means to treat or cope with it.
Hemorrhoids in Adults
No words can probably describe the shock and anxiety you feel when you see a blood on your stool. Initially, you might have thought of colon cancer and what will happen to you and to the people you would leave behind once the dreaded C claims you.
However, you might have undergone colonoscopy and the results have calmed your nerves after you see that the internal polyps are not cancerous, and they are internal hemorrhoids instead.
Yep, that’s right. While people at 50 are mostly at the stage where they can likely get colon cancer, it is also the age where half of the population gets hemorrhoids, or piles, or simply those inflamed blood vessels around the anus. The hemorrhoids can also develop inside the anus, and often these are the ones that bleed the most. Experts also say that hemorrhoids that protrude outside the body are mostly those that cause inexplicable pain and terrible suffering among those afflicted.
Pregnant, overweight, and alcoholics also have higher chances of getting hemorrhoids. Genetic predisposition is also looked into, though experts say that people don’t necessarily inherit the hemorrhoids. Instead, they might have just inherited conditions from their parents that made more likely to develop hemorrhoids.
Many sufferers have sworn by the effectiveness of Epsom salt baths, petroleum jelly, and witch-hazel pads that are available over-the-counter in drug stores. Avoiding anal sex and not straining the area around the anus too much are also recommended ways to lessen the pain and irritation.
When all these fail, surgery is another option, though experts warn patients that recovery time may be long and the procedure can be painful.
Hemorrhoids in the Elderly
Many elderly people already suffer from various diseases associated with age, and it’s just so heartbreaking to see how they have to experience pain all the more just by passing bowel.
They have a limited capability of moving, the medications they take might affect their general bowel movement, and their diet restrictions can predispose them to having digestive problems that worsen even more the problems they have with hemorrhoids.
As such, if possible, the elderly patients should still be encouraged to move and exercise. Adding fiber and other foods that help make bowel movements easier should be done as well. Still, it is up to the doctors to see whether surgery is still an option to address the situation more permanently.
However, some experts suggest the use of cryosurgery to address hemorrhoids in the elderly. In this procedure, the patients are subjected to a nitrous oxide gas procedure, without anesthesia, and the results are promising. Many doctors prescribe the use of cryosurgery, especially for elderly patients who are already unfit for surgical removal of hemorrhoids or are not capable of receiving general anesthesia.
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