While hemorrhoids are known to be common in at least half of the entire world population, everybody must be aware of this disease especially when talking about the ideal time to seek medication and medical supervision once hemorrhoids symptoms start to appear.

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins that occur around the anus or in the lower part of the rectum. The swelling is caused by the increased pressure within the veins due to constipation, straining during bowel movement, and the enlargement of the uterus during pregnancy.

There are other conditions that can increase pressure in the veins and cause hemorrhoid formation, like when one has a chronic liver disease. Hemorrhoids are also associated with long periods of sitting on the toilet bowl and poor fiber diet.

Hemorrhoids occur either internally, when inside the rectum or externally, when on the skin surrounding the anus. They are not life threatening. It usually heals in itself after a few days. It becomes very disturbing though when hemorrhoids symptoms such as bleeding and severe itching starts in the rectum which is the time you have to see a doctor in order to have the condition properly diagnosed.

The disease can occur in up to 75 percent of the population at least once in their lives. According to a study, people aged 45 to 65 and pregnant women are the most common victims of hemorrhoids.

Symptoms and Knowing When to See a Doctor

Bleeding, almost painless, is the most visible sign of hemorrhoid formation. You may notice blood in your stool after bowel movement, on the toilet paper, or on the toilet bowl. Internal hemorrhoid symptoms include painless bleeding as well. If an internal hemorrhoid is prolapsed, it can be painful and may cause discomfort due to anal itching. Hemorrhoid symptoms for external hemorrhoids, on the other hand, include the forming of blood clots within the veins called thrombosis. It is responsible for the feeling of a hard lump in the rectum. Thrombosis causes bleeding, painful swelling, and itching especially when the blood clot dissolves and leave the extra skin.

Having this condition gives the tendency for excessive straining, rubbing, and cleaning around the anus. These however must be avoided because they only make the hemorrhoid symptoms such as itching worse.

Anything that bleeds usually signals something that is not so good. Hemorrhoids symptoms such as rectal bleeding should never be treated normal. This must tell you that you have to go seek a doctor’s advice and have yourself properly diagnosed.

Rectal bleeding is a common indication of hemorrhoid formation but it can also be a sign of inflammatory bowel disease and cancer of the colon. These more serious diseases need a completely different kind of medication. Treating it as a common hemorrhoidal condition might be dangerous for your health.

Blood loss from a serious rectal bleeding may cause lightheadedness and weakness. In times of excessive bleeding that gives you lightheadedness, you should immediately seek medical care. Hemorrhoid symptoms must not be taken for granted and neglected. In worse case, the hemorrhoid symptoms you see might actually be a symptom for a more serious disease and later you would thank yourself because you discovered it when you only wanted diagnosis for proper treatment of your hemorrhoids.

Get Diagnosed when Hemorrhoid Symptoms Start to Appear

At the hospital or private practice, the doctor will examine the anus or rectum through physical exam and through digital rectal examination.

When there is bleeding, doctors are more careful and thorough in their diagnosis so they perform additional procedures such as Colonoscopy, Sigmoidoscopy and Barium enema X-ray.

Colonoscopy uses an image transmitting flexible lighted tube called colonoscope inserted to the anus up to the upper part of the large intestine. Similarly, Sigmoidoscopy procedure also uses a tube, a shorter one that is inserted to the anus up to the sigmoid colon and transmits images. The Barium enema X-ray inserts the barium into the colon so the colon can become more visible in x-ray pictures.

Treatment: At Home

Hemorrhoids can be just a normal visitor in the anal and rectum and is usually self-limiting. Swelling of the veins can be relieved and treated easily through simple change in lifestyle and diet.

Earlier, it was mentioned that hemorrhoids are caused by low-fiber diet. Fiber only happened to be an important substance that your body needs for proper digestion. Proper digestion keeps constipation away. Fiber is found in fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. High-fiber diet softens the stools that makes its easier to pass thus reduces pressure caused by straining.

There are fiber supplements that you may try if natural plants do not work for you. The common fiber supplements are psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel). Other relievers are eight glasses of water a day. Aside from water, other fluids as long as non-alcoholic will do. Exercise also prevents constipation. For itching and pain, there are over-the-counter creams or ointments that will help relieve the discomfort. You must however be careful when using over-the-counter creams because it might irritate your skin even more.

Sitting in warm water three times a day may also help relieve the inflammation of the hemorrhoids. Warm Sitz baths may be done 15 to 20 minutes every time you do it. Be sure to dry the anal area completely afterwards to avoid irritation of the skin around the anus because moisture attracts bacteria.

Treatment: Medical Treatment

In case home treatments do not work, there are medical treatments that can be performed in the hospital. Some of which and most popular ones are: rubber band litigation, sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation or laser therapy, and hemorrhoidectomy.

Rubber band litigation is where the doctor places a special rubber band around the hemorrhoid which cuts off the circulation and shrinks the hemorrhoid. In Sclerotherapy, the doctor shrinks the hemorrhoid by injecting a chemical solution into the blood vessel. Infrared coagulation uses heat to shrink the hemorrhoid tissue. Hemorrhoidectomy is a simple surgical procedure of removing the hemorrhoid. Patients and doctors resort commonly to Hemorrhoidectomy because there is a high probability that the hemorrhoid will not return.