Treat hemorrhoids quickly

Affected individuals should by no means sit out hemorrhoidal disease

26/11/2014

Almost every second person over the age of 30 has to contend with enlarged hemorrhoids in this country. Nevertheless, the swollen vascular cushions in the anal area are a taboo subject for most people. Accordingly, many sufferers of shame seek late for a doctor and instead try to ignore typical symptoms such as after-itching or strong burning. However, treating hemorrhoidal disease without proper treatment can severely limit the quality of life and eventually lead to permanent after-pains, unwanted stool loss, and bleeding.

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. „Just keep it for me“ many think that way, though the problem is far from rare. Rather, it is now a one „people suffering“, An estimated at least one-third of the population beyond the age of 30 is affected, and about 3.5 million cases are treated each year in Germany alone. 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. „Everyone has these upholstery. They seal the rectum to the outside and prevent the remains of stool escape and irritate the sensitive skin in the anal area, "explains Prof. Alexander Herold from the end and colon center in Mannheim to the news agency „dpa“.

First enlarged pads have disease value
Hemorrhoids become pathological only when the blood accumulates in the vascular pad and can no longer flow away unhindered, in this case doctors speak of one „ haemorrhoids“. „When pressure is exerted on the blood vessels for an extended period of time, the blood can no longer run off, the veins expand, and their delicate connective tissue is released“, so Herold continues. 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. Also certain „quirks“ how to stay in the toilet for a long time are considered risk factors for hemorrhoidal disease, „Extensive newspaper reading on the toilet should therefore be avoided“, Counts 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. By contrast, grade II already means an advanced enlargement of the vascular nodes: „In the second stage, they pass out of the anus during bowel movements, but then withdraw spontaneously, "said Bernhard Lenhard of the German Dermatological Society (DDG) „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 be completely discharged from the anus during defecation, physical work or even spontaneously „slip out“, being here medically by a „prolapse“ is spoken. 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“, explains 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. Initially, a scan of the rectum would be done by which „[...] nodular changes or constrictions [.] As well as pressure and tension of the sphincter muscle“ Bernhard Strittmatter, chairman of the professional association of coloproctologists in Germany (BCD) to the „dpa“.

Proctoscope allows accurate viewing of the intestinal interior
However, since the tissue of the hemorrhoids usually can not be palpated, comes after a so-called „proctoscope“ 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 finding in the rectum, as a precaution, also the behind rectum and possibly the entire colon should be examined“, Strittmatter continues.

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“ help: „The doctor puts a tiny rubber ring over the hemorrhoids. The surplus tissue then stops producing blood and falls off with the stool within the next two weeks. "If these procedures prove unsuccessful or haemorrhoids are at a more advanced stage, usually only surgical removal of the nodules is helpful. 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.

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 the stool „supple“ to do and thus to prevent hemorrhoids. (No)