This article was last updated 27 April 2012
Hemorrhoids are enlarged and enlarged anal veins. They appear due to numerous causes such as sitting within the toilet too long, straining when passing a bowel movement, and they are occasionally caused by the strain and excess weight of a fetus throughout pregnancy.
There are internal hemorrhoids and exterior, or prolapsed hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids occur high up in the rectum and generally the only symptom you will see is some bright red blood within the stool, or in stained. It is when they prolapse they can become problematic.
Some prolapsed hemorrhoids will only bulge out with a bowel movement and can spontaneously go back into the rectum. Some hemorrhoids prolapse having a bowel movement and can be pushed back inside the actual rectum. A prolapsed hemorrhoid that cannot be pushed back into the rectum may need surgery. These severe hemorrhoids could also prolapse with coughing and sneezing. They may also have a chronic mucus kind discharge.
If you are lucky, and diligent, you are able to treat some hemorrhoids along with surgery. The first recommendation would be to increase the fiber in what you eat. This can easily be performed by taking a fiber supplement on a daily basis. Increase your water intake to help keep your stools soft. Take a stool softener, following the actual manufacturers recommendations. When you wipe don't use toilet paper, use the cotton ball or mat pre moistened with witch haze. You can purchase pre moistened pads at the local drug store. For itching you an use any of the numerous over the counter hemorrhoidal preparations.
When the above recommendations don't help, your physician may recommend hemorrhoid surgery. Small hemorrhoids can be "banded". A rubber band is positioned around the base of the hemorrhoid. This band stops the blood circulation that feeds the hemorrhoid. The hemorrhoid shrivels as well as withers away. Some doctors treat hemorrhoids with sclerosing providers, which do the same thing as a band.
Laser coagulation an be carried out. With laser coagulation a tiny electrical current is applied to the hemorrhoid via the probe. This electrical current causes the blood circulation to the hemorrhoid to stop, causing it to wither away.
With larger hemorrhoids surgery is performed, usually along with local or spinal anesthesia. After the hemorrhoid is actually removed gauze packing is used in reducing bleeding. There is generally a 4-5 day period of "down time" following this particular surgery.
Any rectal bleeding ought to be checked by your doctor