Individuals with hemorrhoids are silent sufferer of this disease. Hemorrhoid is a painful, swollen enlarged vein in the anus that is considered a very common ailment among individuals over the age of 50. This may not be that risky and serious disease but it should be properly monitored because it can happen to anyone, men and women of all ages. Causes of hemorrhoids can be attributed to several reasons such as pregnancy, obesity, constipation, too much straining during bowel movement, heavy lifting and anal sex. Even though hemorrhoid is a non-life threatening disease, proper treatment should be followed to avoid aggravating this condition.

Alternative methods such as herbal remedies can also be beneficial to hemorrhoids. These are effective means of shrinking down hemorrhoids naturally. It’s a good thing that there is a wide range of options for hemorrhoids treatment from natural supplements, hemorrhoids creams, vitamins, home remedies, surgery and lifestyle changes. However, proper consultation with a doctor would always be the best in order to clear out any other related conditions such as rectal cancer.

It is common to some hemorrhoid sufferers to avoid medical consultation because of their condition. Instead they just turn to natural methods and home-remedy treatments and prefer discrete treatment. The discomfort and pain associated with hemorrhoids can be very much disturbing. Nothing could be much worse if your preferred medication did more harm than good to your hemorrhoid condition.

Drugs That May Aggravate Hemorrhoid Condition

There are certain types of medications that can make the hemorrhoids even get worse. Non steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAID) such as ibuprofen along with Aspirin can lead to bleeding hemorrhoids. If you prefer to take non- prescription drugs, it would be best to avoid NSAID.

Creams are also considered as first line medications for hemorrhoid. It’s a usual relief from pain and itching but it may not get rid of or reduce the size of your hemorrhoid. The synthetic chemical ingredients of some creams may pose adverse side effects that may arise when instructions are not followed properly. There are also some people who are allergic to some ingredients, thus side effects like rashes, itching and pain may occur.

Most of these over-the-counter creams are not indicated for prolapsed internal hemorrhoids and may actually aggravate its condition. There are types of creams that contain components that in the long run result to the thinning of the anal tissues and may eventually increase the susceptibility to piles.

Other medications that can cause or worsen the hemorrhoids include enemas and rectal suspensions. According to Wrongdiagnosis.com, some of the rectal suspensions that could affect your hemorrhoids are Aggrenox, Canasa, Colazal, Lotronex, Pentasa, and Rowasa rectal suspensions.

Certain chemicals, toxins or substances may also cause or result to hemorrhoid symptoms.

Precaution When Treating Hemorrhoids

Choosing your mode of treatment for hemorrhoid should always be done with extra precaution so as to avoid making it even worse. Visiting a doctor prior to starting a hemorrhoid treatment would always be a better option to rip off any unnecessary hassle in the long run.

Statistics showed that there are at least 1 million Americans who are diagnosed with hemorrhoid each year. This health condition does not only plague the American people but it is also a problem of most people in other countries. European countries have similar statistics on the prevalence of hemorrhoids. Most of these victims are on their middle age or 60 years old and above.

Though there are several treatments available, the number of people suffering from hemorrhoids is still increasing. Health experts believe that this is usually due to the lifestyle of the person and their age. Other factors that aggravate this condition are constipation, pregnancy, sedentary lifestyle, obesity, genes and the type of foods that we eat. If you want to know the top 5 causes of hemorrhoids, here’s the link to the article.

Surgery for Hemorrhoids

Due to the advancement in the technology, various surgical treatments are now available in treating hemorrhoids. Some clinics in the country even offer non-surgical treatments which is a little bit costly. Some of these non-invasive procedures can’t guarantee 100 percent cure of the hemorrhoids. Symptoms may recur or complication may still happen just like the traditional surgical procedures.

Surgical Techniques for Hemorrhoids

There are two basic surgical techniques used to treat hemorrhoids. The first one is The Milligan-Morgan Technique, which was developed in 1937 and in 1952, the Ferguson Technique was also introduced. The Milligan-Morgan Technique was developed by Drs. Milligan and Morgan from the United Kingdom. The procedure excises the three major hemorrhoidal vessels. Pear shaped incisions are left open to avoid anal stenosis. This procedure became the standard of all hemorrhoid surgeries and newer techniques are also based on this procedure.

The Ferguson Technique was introduced in the United States by Dr. Ferguson. He modified the Milligan-Morgan technique by totally or partially closing the incisions with absorbable running suture. However, this technique did not gain much acceptance in the medical community because of complications and longer stay in the hospital. This procedure has a high rate of suture breakage during a bowel movement. The patient usually suffers from extreme pain and has to wait 5 to 6 weeks for wound healing. The patient has to stay at least 3 days in the hospital after the surgery.

A hemorrhoid surgery would sometime result complications such as swelling, difficulty in urination, and rare cases of infection.

The Need for Surgical Treatment

Hemorrhoid is not considered a dreadful disease but if the condition is already on its 3rd or 4th stage, a surgery must be done to avoid serious complications. Doctors will usually recommend surgery for prolapsed hemorrhoids. If the hemorrhoids is on its early stage, over the counter medications may suffice. This may include hemorrhoid creams, suppositories, and herbal preparations.

Based on statistics, the mortality rate of people with hemorrhoids is only averaging 17 per year. The number is minimal as compared to people diagnosed with hemorrhoids. But if people would only consult their doctor during the early stage of their hemorrhoids, this can be avoided.

Hemorrhoidectomy will be avoided.

It is a fact that millions of Americans suffer from hemorrhoids regardless of their age. Most of the time this condition is only noticed when severe symptoms occur. Although hemorrhoids can’t be considered as a life threatening health condition, it still needs proper care and treatment to avoid complications and of course to prevent the discomfort brought about by this disease.

Hemorrhoids can be prevented and can be cured. You just have to follow simple tips that would prevent this condition to happen. If you know what causes these hemorrhoids, it will be easier to treat them. There are various treatments available which may range from simple home care treatments to surgical procedures such as hemorrhoidectomy. But before we discuss further these treatments, let us give you first the top causes of hemorrhoids. The treatment will usually depend on the causes and the current stage of the condition.

Constipation

Nobody would disagree that constipation is the leading cause of hemorrhoids. Too much straining during a bowel movement worsens the hemorrhoids and this is true if a person is constipated. As much as possible maintain regular bowel movements and eat healthy foods such as fruits and vegetables. These foods contain high fiber which will make your stool soft. Avoid fast foods as these can also lead to constipation. And don’t forget the importance of drinking at least 8 glasses of water per day.

Age

All people regardless of their age can be affected by hemorrhoids. However, those people aged 60 years old and above are more prone to hemorrhoids. This is due to the weaker veins in the anal area. Doctors usually advice older people to still engage in regular exercise and adopt a healthy lifestyle. This will not only prevent hemorrhoids but at the same time avoid other health conditions that usually affect older people. Children can also suffer from hemorrhoids but it is not prevalent as compared to the former.

Pregnancy

A lot of women complains about hemorrhoids during their pregnancy. According to some studies, more than 50% percent of pregnant women suffer from hemorrhoids. This is common because of the increasing pressure in the anal area caused by the extra weight during pregnancy. It will usually becomes worst during the second and third trimester where the mother and the baby gained dramatic increase in weight. But mothers should not worry if they have noticed that their hemorrhoids become bigger and sometimes painful. It will normally disappear after childbirth as long as there are no other aggravating factors such as trauma after childbirth, constipation and diarrhea.

Overweight and Obese

Aside from the risk of heart disease and diabetes, people who are overweight and obese are also prone to hemorrhoids. Too much weight is also causing a lot of pressure in the anal area. The most effective approach in dealing with hemorrhoids is to treat first obesity. Simple changes in your lifestyle could avoid the serious symptoms of hemroids. Avoid overeating, eat healthy foods and regular exercise are still the best thing to do. There are also available medical treatments for severe cases of obesity such as diet pills and surgery. Once your weight is controlled, the hemorrhoid symptoms will not become a problem anymore.

Work and Lifestyle

Men and women who are too busy with their jobs are also prone to hemorrhoids. Long hours of sitting will worsen the hemorrhoids. To help prevent the occurrence of the symptoms, you can use hemorrhoid cushions. A much as possible take regular breaks or walk a few minutes to prevent the continuous pressure in the anal area. People who are having a sedentary lifestyle will definitely suffer from hemorrhoids. Exercise regularly and engage yourself into sports. Just avoid lifting heavy objects or weight since these activities will also aggravate your condition.

These top causes of hemorrhoids can be prevented provided you follow the tips given in this article. If you want to take medications such as hemroid creams and want to undergo surgery, consult a health care professional.