Abnormal Hemroids 

Description

• A hemroids is the dilation (i.e., swelling, enlargement) of a vein of the inferior or superior blood vessel collection known as the hemroidsal plexus that supplies blood to the lower part of the rectum and the Excretory Orifice.

• Hemroids are similar to varicose veins seen on the legs, which over time and with constant pressure, tend to stretch and, when irritated, swell, leading to pain, itching, discomfort, burning and bleeding. 

• Hemroids can be internal (inside the rectum, a bit distant from the Excretory Orifice) or external, hanging near the Excretory Orifice and protruding outside. Internal hemroids are less problematic than external -- the only symptom is often bright red blood on the toilet paper.

• External hemroids, on the other hand, can become very painful, itchy, and burning, and if strangulated, may form a blood clot (thrombosed hemroids) and give rise to a painful hard lump around the Excretory Orifice.

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Symptoms

• Protruding mass through the Excretory Orifice

• Pain 

• Itching

• Burning

• Bleeding

Treatment

• Avoid straining

• Avoid prolonged sitting.

• Increase dietary fiber and fluids (6-8 glasses water a day if not contraindicated).

• Citrucel and Metamucil are bulk fiber stool softeners that are effective resources for treating constipation.

• Senokot and other bowel stimulants are other types of laxatives used to treat constipation.

• Always take laxatives recommended by your doctor and try to take only the natural sources, such as Psyllium based products.

• Laxatives are not to be taken for a period greater than 2 weeks, and if you have constipation for longer than 2 weeks notify your physicians. 

• If bleeding occurs contact your doctor immediately.

• For painful hemroids, Sitz baths (plain warm water for about 15 minutes) 3-4 times per day may help.

• Ice packs applied directly on a swollen hemroids may help in reducing the inflammation and swelling.

• Hemroidsal creams, foams and suppositories containing hydrocortisone (e.g. Excretory Orificeol HC) may be prescribed to reduce the swelling, burning and itching.

• Over-the-counter preparations such as Preparation H may help some sufferers.

• If diarrhea is present, anti-diarrheal medication may help.

• Pain medications such as Tylenol may help with the pain. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as aspirin and Aleve may also help reduce swelling, but can increase the risk of bleeding.

• In some patients with problematic hemroids, a surgeon may be consulted.

• Surgical methods to remove or reduce the hemroids include rubber band ligation (a rubber band placed around the dilated veins to cut off circulation), sclerotherapy (hemroids injected with chemical solution), Laser or infrared light coagulation (burn the hemroids), and hemroidsectomy.