What are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are a very painful disease. In this, swelling occurs in the inside and outside of the anus and the lower part of the rectum. Due to this, warts are formed in and out of the anus, or in one place. Warts sometimes stay inside, sometimes they come out. About 60 percent of people have hemorrhoids at some stage of age. The patient needs to treat piles at the right time. If hemorrhoids are not treated on time, the problem increases significantly. It is also a genetic problem. If someone in the family has had this problem, then there is a possibility of the other person having it. When it is very old, it takes the form of a clitoris, which is also called a fistula. There is helpless irritation and pain in it.
Types of hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are so far inside your rectum that you can’t usually see or feel them. They don’t generally hurt because you have few pain-sensing nerves there. Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids include:
- Blood on your poop, on toilet paper after you wipe, or in the toilet bowl
- Tissue that bulges outside your anal opening (prolapse). This may hurt, often when you poop. You might be able to see prolapsed hemorrhoids as moist bumps that are pinker than the surrounding area. These usually go back inside on their own. Even if they don’t, they can often be gently pushed back into place.
External hemorrhoids
External Hemorrhoids occur on the outside edge of the anus. They are often painful. They are dilated veins forming swellings at the outer side of the external sphincter are known as external piles or perianal hematoma. They are less common than internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids are very itchy and cause intense pain if a blood clot forms inside the anus.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids
A blood clot can turn an external hemorrhoid purple or blue. This is called a thrombosis or a thrombosis hemorrhoid. You may notice symptoms like:
- Severe pain
- Itching
- Bleeding
Symptoms of hemorrhoids
Many times, if hemorrhoids have not reached a serious stage, then it is cured on its own in 4-5 days, but these symptoms can be seen as the disease progresses: –
• Feels like a hard lump around the anus. There is pain in it, and blood can also come.
• Feeling of not cleaning the stomach even after defecation.
• Red shiny blood with irritation at the time of defecation.
• Excessive pain during defecation.
• Itching, redness, and swelling around the anus.
• Mucus at the time of defecation.
• Desire to urinate frequently, but not to excrete while discarding.
Causes of Hemorrhoids
- Chronic diarrhea
- Obesity
- Avoiding pooping when the urge comes
- Weightlifting
- Pregnancy
- Low fiber diet
- Prolonged standing
- Genetics
- Age
- Spicy or saucy foods
1. Chronic diarrhea
Chronic diarrhea is characterized by frequent, soft or liquid bowel movements that lasts for over 4 weeks. Chronic diarrhea can cause hemorrhoids due to the inflammation that the stool causes on the anal mucosa.
2. Obesity
Hemorrhoids are often a consequence of excessive weight. In addition, the habits of the person who is overweight such as sedentarism, and a fat-rich diet usually lead to an overall decrease in bowel movements, causing constipation and difficulty passing stool.
3. Avoiding pooping when the urge comes
Not passing stool when you feel the need to can cause the feces to get dry and hard, causing abdominal discomfort and consequently difficulty evacuating. This can increase your risk for hemorrhoids.
4. Weight lifting
Lifting heavy weights in the gym, or looking after older adults who need to be lifted frequently, can lead to an increase in pressure in the veins of the anal region, causing hemorrhoids.
5. Pregnancy
It’s normal to have hemorrhoids during pregnancy as they are a common finding. They normally happen due to the increases in body weight, increases in overall pressure on the pelvic area, and constipation, which are physiological changes that are expected to happen during pregnancy.
6. Low fiber diet
Fiber is very important for adequate functioning of the body, and it is responsible for regulating the bowels. Low fiber intake can lead to less frequent bowel movements as well as dry, hard feces, which results in pain when passing stool.
7. Prolonged standing
People with professions that require prolonged standing can lead to decreased blood circulation. This increases pressure on the blood vessels around the anal region, increasing your risk for hemorrhoids.
8. Genetics
Some people inherit a tendency to develop hemorrhoids.
9. Age
Even though hemorrhoids can appear at any age, they are more frequent in people over 45 years old. With normal aging, it is common for supportive tissues of the rectal vessels to weaken and stretch.
Also, people with a past history of hemorrhoids are prone to re-develop them in the future.
10. Spicy or saucy foods
Food that is very spicy or saucy can lead to anal inflammation and hemorrhoids. This can also happen with excessive alcohol intake or excessive gingerly food.
Difference between Piles and Fistula
- PILES cause swelling in the blood vessels of the anus and lower part of the rectum. This happens due to prolonged constipation and excessive sitting in defecation.
- Apart from this, there is a risk of obesity or pregnant women. In this, warts are formed in the anus or rectum, which bleeds when they burst, and cause pain.
- Fistula does not have warts. A wound tube is formed in the clitoris, which is the internal opening and outside the anus.
- Fistula occurs in people who have an abscess near their rectum. Many mouths are formed in the boil. In such a situation, if the patient molests him, then he becomes clumsy.
- Blood and pus continue to come out of it. In the early stages, it has low pus and blood content. Therefore, it only stains the patient’s clothes. Gradually the leakage increases, and the patient begins to have itching, discomfort, and pain.
Prevention
Lifestyle changes can help lower the risk of hemorrhoids. These include:
- Eating a healthy diet: Eating plenty of foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help keep stools soft. Taking OTC fiber supplements and staying hydrated can also ease constipation.
- Avoiding straining: A person should try not to strain when using the toilet. Straining puts pressure on the veins in the lower rectum.
- Going to the bathroom when needed: It is best to avoid waiting to use the toilet. The longer a person waits, the drier the stools will be.
- Getting regular physical activity: Exercise helps stool move through the bowel, making bowel movements more regular.
- Maintaining a moderate body weight: Being overweight raises the risk of having hemorrhoids.
Treatment
In most cases, simple measures will alleviate symptoms while hemorrhoids heal on their own. However, medication or surgery may be necessary in certain cases.
Home treatments
The following home treatments may help relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids:
- Topical creams and ointments: Over-the-counter (OTC) creams for external hemorrhoids can help reduce itching, discomfort, and swelling.
- Fiber supplements: Taking supplements can reduce constipation and help with hemorrhoids.
- Ice packs and cold compresses: Applying these to the affected area may help ease the pain.
- A sitz bath: A sitz bath involves sitting in a tub of shallow, warm water. Taking one a few times each day may help reduce hemorrhoid pain.
- Analgesics: Pain killers may help alleviate pain from hemorrhoids.
A person should talk with a doctor if symptoms do not improve after using this home treatment for a week.
Food for hemorrhoids
Constipation or disturbed digestion is a common cause of piles. Preventing constipation itself will control the disease to a certain extent. Hence, the diet for piles should have enough fiber content.
How Does Fiber Help in Piles?
Soluble fibers of the food help create a bulkier and softer stool that is easier to pass, thus reducing the risk of constipation. These, in turn, will prevent the recurrence of hemorrhoids and minimize the irritation of the existing hemorrhoids.
There are two types of fiber – Soluble fiber and insoluble fiber
- Soluble fiber –This is in the form of gel when dissolved in water. This allows the stool to be soft, easy to pass and well-formed.
- Insoluble fiber – This fiber does not dissolve in water but helps in adding bulk to the stool. A person can consume 25 to 30 grams of fiber a day. But it has to be made sure at least one-third of them are soluble. An excessive intake of fiber, however, causes gas and bloating. Drinking more fluids can also help in easy passage of stools. It is important to have at least 8 to 10 glasses of water every day.
Foods that are rich in fiber such as :
Wheat bran and shredded wheat
Taking 1/3 to ¼ cups of fiber and ready-to-eat bran cereal containing 9.1 to 14.3g of fiber can help prevent piles. Also, eating 1 to ¼ cups of shredded and ready-to-eat bran cereal that contains 5 to 9 grams of fiber is very useful for preventing piles, as they contain insoluble fiber. This makes the stool bulkier and easy to pass.
Apples
Apples are a rich source of fiber when eaten with the skin, which contains 4.4 g of fiber. Apples contain insoluble fibers in their skin. These fibers do not break down and help in bulking up the stool, causing a laxative effect. Therefore, apple is considered to be one of the recommended foods for managing piles.
Barley
β-glucan is the fiber content that can be found in barley. This fiber breaks down and forms a viscous gel in the colon that helps in softening the stool. Good colon health can be maintained by consuming barley.
Lentils
A cup of cooked lentils contains 15.6 grams of fiber. Similarly, pulses such as chickpeas, lima beans, split peas are the best sources of fiber. Green lentils help increase the stool’s weight, thus reducing the time it stays in the colon.
Berries
The skin-to-flesh ratio is high in raspberries, strawberries and blackberries. One serving of berries (100 grams) contains 6.5 grams of fiber. The water content in berries is high. Hence, the stools are softened. This helps the digestive system function smoothly. The fructose content in berries gives a natural laxative effect.
Potatoes
3.8 grams of fiber is found in one medium-sized baked sweet potato with skin and 3.6 grams of fiber is found in one medium-sized baked potato with skin. Potatoes generally contain both soluble and insoluble fiber. A strong laxative effect is also more often found in sweet potatoes than in other vegetables.
Tomatoes
Tomatoes are rich in fiber and water, and help ease constipation, making it easy to pass stool. Naringenin, a natural antioxidant has a laxative effect on few forms of constipation. Therefore, tomato is another recommended food option for managing piles.
Kiwis
One serving of kiwi has 3 grams of fiber and a sufficient amount of water. It acts as a laxative, increases stool bulk and eases the passage of stool. This helps to reduce the colon transit time. Enzyme zyactinase in kiwi fruits improves digestion.
Prunes
Prunes are a kind of dry plums. One cup of stewed prunes contains 3.8 grams of fiber. The feeling of fullness can be maintained for a long time while consuming dried prunes. Thus, the person need not eat often. It helps to reduce constipation and obesity that are high-risk factors for piles.
Pears
Pears are extremely rich in fiber. There are 6 grams of fiber in pear with skin. Pears contain fructose that acts as a natural laxative.
Corn
Corn is being used as a source of fiber from ancient times. 4.2 grams of fiber is present in one cup of cooked sweet corn.
Oats
4 grams of fiber present in one cup of cooked oatmeal is capable of improving health. It also helps in softening the stool and makes it easier to pass.
Whole wheat bread, pasta, and cereals
Whole wheat products are rich in insoluble fiber, and increases the fecal volume and colon transit time. Whole wheat products contain both soluble or insoluble fibers.
Broccoli
Broccoli can improve digestion because it contains sulforaphane. Symptoms of constipation can be prevented by eating 20 grams of raw broccoli sprouts every day for weeks. It reduces strain and fastens bowel movements.
Citrus fruits
The inner skin of lemons, oranges and grapefruits contain fibre. These citrus fruits also have naringenin, a compound with a laxative effect. They have a high-water content that softens stools and eases constipation.
Beans
Peas, pulses, and dried beans are extremely rich in fiber. While a cup of half-cooked beans contains 9.6 grams of fiber, half-cup of kidney beans contains 5.7 grams of fiber.
Home remedies to treat hemorrhoids
Use olive oil
Olive oil has inflammation-curing properties. It reduces inflammation in the blood vessels. Apply olive oil on the warts of badge piles.
Coconut
Burn the coconut outer layer and make ash. Mix it in fresh whey and drink it regularly on an empty stomach in the morning.
Figs
Soak three figs in a glass of water. Consume it on an empty stomach in the morning, drink this water too.
Cumin seeds
If there is pain and irritation in the bad hemorrhoids, grind cumin seeds with water and make a paste. Apply it on the wart area.
Roast cumin seeds in bloody piles and grind them with sugar candy. Take it in the amount of 1-2 grams 2-3 times a day.
Whey and Oregano
Whey is similar to nectar in hemorrhoids disease. Mix a quarter of oregano powder, and a teaspoon of black salt in a glass of buttermilk and consume it daily in lunch. This is the best home remedy to get relief from hemorrhoids.
Benefits of Papaya in Piles
Eat papaya at dinner. This will not cause constipation. This will not cause pain at the time of bowel movement.
Eat ripe bananas to treat hemorrhoids
Boil ripe bananas, and consume twice a day. It gives an advantage.
Uses of Hot Water in Piles
Put hot water in the sitz bath and sit for 10-15 minutes. It is the best treatment to get relief from hemorrhoids pain, and irritation.