Hemorrhoid pads swell - Timely therapy important

Hemorrhoids are still a taboo topic. Unfortunately, about every second adult under anal pain, Afterjucken and Afternässen. Everyone has hemorrhoids. The suffering begins when they swell. But most people are afraid to go to the doctor in time. This would make early treatment much less uncomfortable before further symptoms such as permanent anus, unwanted stool and bleeding occur.

Subject hemorrhoids often shamed
Hemorrhoids are an uncomfortable topic for most people, as itching, after burning, stools, or blood in the stool are complaints no one likes to talk about. "Keep it to myself" is where many think, though the problem is far from rare. Rather, it is now a "public disorder", which is estimated to affect at least one third of the population beyond the age of 30, about 3.5 million cases are treated every year alone in this country medical treatment.

(Image: absolutimages / fotolia.com)

Out of shame, many sufferers, however, go to the doctor late and instead try to ignore the first signs and complaints. However, this can have nasty consequences, because hemorrhoids are not life-threatening, yet they can lead untreated to complications such as anal fissures, anal fistulas, severe arterial bleeding or an abscess.

Important natural component of the anal canal
The hemorrhoids are arteriovenous cavernous bodies that form a ring-shaped vessel cushion just above the sphincter muscles. Hemorrhoids are initially not a disease, instead, they are found in every human being and represent an important natural component of the anal canal.

"Every person has these cushions. They seal the rectum to the outside and prevent the escape of stool remnants and irritate the sensitive skin in the anal area, "explains Prof. Alexander Herold from the end and colon center in Mannheim.

First enlarged pads have disease value
Hemorrhoids become morbid only when the blood accumulates in the vascular pad and can no longer flow away unhindered, in which case medical experts speak of a "haemorrhoidal disease". "If pressure is exerted on the blood vessels for a long time, the blood can no longer run off, the veins expand, and their delicate connective tissue is released," continued Herold.

Hemorrhoids are often the cause of pain and itching on the anus.

The high pressure arises mainly by a permanent constipation or strong pressing in the defecation, accordingly, according to Herold should always be consulted only if the toilet is actually urinary stool. In addition, however, other favorable factors and causes come into consideration, such as congenital connective tissue weakness, obesity, lack of exercise or pregnancy.

Certain "quirks" such as prolonged lingering on the toilet are considered risk factors for Hämorrhoidalleiden, "extensive newspaper reading on the toilet should therefore be avoided," advises Herold on.

Hemorrhoids visible only from stage two onwards
Depending on how pronounced the enlargement of the hemorrhoids is, four disease stages are usually distinguished with different symptoms. In the first stage, the naturally occurring hemorrhoids are already enlarged, but still relatively small and not visible from the outside, so that the doctor can only make a diagnosis by means of a reflection of the anal canal and the rectum (proctoscopy).

As a result, there is usually no pain here, as long as sufferers notice the condition at all, usually through small traces of blood in the stool or on the toilet paper. Grade II, however, already means an advanced enlargement of the vascular node: "In the second stage, they come out of the anus during bowel movements, but then withdraw after that," said Bernhard Lenhard of the German Dermatological Society (DDG) to the "dpa" , As a result, on the one hand can cause pain, in addition to burning and itching, inflammatory reddened skin and oozing in the anal area, it is also possible the feeling not to be completely emptied.

In the further course, the hemorrhoids are permanently in front of the anus opening
In the third stage, the nodules can then "slip out" of the anus during defecation, physical work or even spontaneously, where it is medically referred to as a "prolapse". In this case, however, the hemorrhoids no longer retract themselves into the anal canal, "so that those affected have to push them back by hand," continues Bernhard Lenhard. In the last stage of Hemorrhoidalleidens is also no longer possible, instead, the hemorrhoids are permanently in front of the opening of the anus and are thus permanently visible (fixed prolapse).

Here, it usually comes in addition to a so-called "anal prolapse", in which not only the Hämorrhoidalknoten but also anal mucous membrane protrudes from the anus. In addition to itching, burning and pain, in phase three and four further symptoms such as unwanted stool discharge and a permanent foreign body sensation in the anal area occur.

In case of blood in the stool immediately to the doctor!
But these consequences are easy to prevent, because if a hemorrhoidal disease is treated in time, it usually takes a positive course. Accordingly, especially in the case of blood in the stool (hematochezia), it is essential to immediately consult a proctologist, who is specially trained in the treatment of intestinal diseases. According to Bernhard Lenhard, this is important in order to exclude other illnesses, because a hematochezia, for example, can also indicate blood diseases, vascular inflammations or even colon cancer.

Examination usually painless
According to Lenhard, those affected should not be afraid of the examination, because the hemorrhoids are covered by pain-resistant intestinal mucosa, which is usually painless. At the beginning of a scan of the rectum would initially take place through which "[...] nodular changes or narrowing [.] As well as pressure and tension of the sphincter" could be felt and verified, so Bernhard Strittmatter, president of the Professional Association of Coloproctologists Germany (BCD).

Proctoscope allows accurate viewing of the intestinal interior
However, since the tissue of the hemorrhoids usually can not be palpated, then a so-called "proctoscope" is used, which is introduced into the anal canal and allows an exact view of the intestinal interior. "For bleeding, which can not be explained by the findings in the rectum, as a precaution, the underlying rectum and possibly the entire colon should be examined," Strittmatter explains.

In the final stage usually only one OP helps
If hemorrhoidal disease is still at the beginning, sclerotherapy is usually sufficient. According to Strittmatter, in the latter, a means is injected into the slightly enlarged upholstery, which shrinks and solidifies the fabric. Creams and anal tampons can help in parallel, but they do not affect the size of the hemorrhoids, but only alleviate the symptoms. In the second stage, the so-called "rubber band ligation" can help: "The doctor puts a tiny rubber ring over the hemorrhoids.

The excess tissue then no longer gets any blood and falls off within the next two weeks with the chair, "said Strittmatter. If these procedures are unsuccessful or haemorrhoids are still at an advanced stage, usually only surgical removal of the nodules will help. But even then there is still the possibility that later again increased hemorrhoids occur - accordingly, Strittmatter should continue to pay attention to avoid favoring factors such as strong pressing during bowel movements.

Psyllium naturally acts against blockages and can therefore be used e.g. be very helpful with enlarged hemorrhoids. (Image: stefan_weis / fotolia.com)

Use sensible home remedies for prevention
In addition, a lot of prevention can already be done to lower the likelihood of enlarged hemorrhoids. A healthy, fiber-rich diet and a lot of exercise are especially important here. Extensive walks or swimming, for example, can have a very positive effect. In order to avoid hard stools, besides the always sufficient drinking should be drunk, besides, various home remedies for constipation such. Indian psyllium husk or wheat bran help to make the stool softer and prevent hemorrhoids. (No)