Hemorrhoids: Why a Colonoscopy Is Important
The term hemorrhoids, or piles, are a medical condition in which the blood vessels surrounding the anus or the anal cavity become stressed and swollen. It's estimated that as many as 75% of all people in this country will have hemorrhoids at one stage in their lifetime, with the peak age being from mid-forties to mid-sixties. Also women during pregnancy are more prone to hemorrhoids.
The most usual sign of hemorrhoids is fresh blood on stools, seen on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. In the case of internal hemorrhoids or the ones that are within the rectum, bleeding may be the only noticeable symptom as this type of hemorrhoid typically doesn't case much pain or discomfort. Blood may be a symptom of a much more serious health problem so it's imperative to consult with a family doctor. Exterior hemorrhoids can be felt as a small bulge next to the anus and typically have a lot more noticeable symptoms than internal hemorrhoids. Commonly reported hemorrhoid symptoms are bleeding, itching, swelling, and pain.
Other anal health problems such as anal fistulas or cancer could exhibit comparable symptoms and need to be eliminated as health concerns before hemorrhoid treatment begins. Usually, symptoms that indicate hemorrhoids will most likely be hemorrhoids since it is much more common than these other more serious health problems, but in most instances, you doctor will still want to do at least a visual exam of the anal area and perhaps even a more invasive procedure such as a colonoscopy just to eliminate concerns. A colonoscopy is an examination that allows your doctor to see the inside of your colon. A slim bendy tube called a colonoscope is utilized to see the rectum area; this allows your doctor to get a complete view of your colon and eliminate any other diseases or disorders that may be causing hemorrhoid like symptoms
For most people, hemorrhoid relief can be obtained with straightforward modifications to meals and toilet habits. Usually hemorrhoids don't require a surgical procedure unless the hemorrhoid is very severe or causing a lot of pain. The target of nonsurgical means used to heal hemorrhoids, is to reduce the blood supply to the hemorrhoid so that it essentially shrivels up and dies and then is just shed naturally from the body. These nonsurgical procedures include rubber band ligation or using lasers to produce scarring, these methods involve no actual surgical cutting which allows for less pain and a fast recovery time. Alternatively, a cutting surgical procedure may be required for bulky internal hemorrhoids, when a lot of small hemorrhoids exist, or if other types of procedures have not worked. The actual surgical cutting of hemorrhoids is a hemorrhoidectomy, this is an outpatient surgery meaning that you go home the same day the surgery if done, it is only used in more serious cases and it has a longer recovery time of 2-3 weeks.
For most people, hemorrhoids are a result of straining during bowel movements which is a result of constipation, so the easiest way to treat and prevent hemorrhoids is the addition of fiber-rich foods into your normal diet or a fiber additive added to your regular food. During pregnancy, hemorrhoids are common and caused by increasing pressure from the growing baby. Since constipation is also a common complaint during pregnancy, this taken together with the increased stress on the body due to the developing baby, it's no wonder that hemorrhoids are common during pregnancy.
While changing your diet with the addition of fiber, other steps can also be taken to reduce current symptoms. Keep the anal area clean and dry to avoid irritation, wear breathable cotton underwear, and looser clothing that won't rub or irritate. Try using moist wipes instead of toilet paper, avoid prolonged sitting, and try the many over the counter creams available to reduce swelling and itching. In most cases these treatments should work, but if your hemorrhoids become worse schedule another visit with your doctor.
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