Chronic
Hemorrhoids
Chronic hemorrhoids can
be either internal or external hemorrhoids. Although
internal hemorrhoids are often not noticeable
because they occur deep inside the rectum, they
may sometimes stretch until they bulge outside
the anus. There is a grading system with internal
hemorrhoids and by the time these prolapsed internal
hemorrhoids reach grade 4, they have become chronic
type hemorrhoids:
Grade 1 is where the hemorrhoids
project into the anal canal but even though they
may bleed, they do not prolapse;
Grade 2 is where
the hemorrhoids protrude beyond the anal verge
because of straining when passing a bowel movement
but they go back in again when straining ceases;
Grade 3 is where
hemorrhoids protrude spontaneously but they can
be gently pushed back into the canal.
Grade 4 is where
the hemorrhoids
are chronically prolapsed and cannot be reduced.
At this grade 4 stage,
these chronic hemorrhoids contain both internal
and external components and they may be thrombosed
or strangulated or both.
A thrombosed chronic hemorrhoid
is when a vein ruptures and a blood clot develops.
External hemorrhoids also sometimes develop a
clot inside them and often after a period of diarrhea
or constipation. This results in a firm and painful
swelling or lump around the rim of the anus. You
need to see your doctor quickly so that he can
alleviate the sometimes extreme pain and discomfort
by making a small incision in the swelling
A strangulated chronic
hemorrhoid is when the anal sphincter muscle goes
into spasm trapping the prolapsed chronic hemorrhoid
outside and cutting off the blood supply so the
hemorrhoid becomes strangulated.
If you have rectal bleeding,
it is important for you to see a doctor so that
you can be checked for the more dangerous causes
of bleeding. This is especially true if you are
over the age of 40 when there is an increase in
the risk of rectal bleeding from colorectal cancer
and other serious digestive diseases.
Doctors are often divided
in their opinion about how to treat chronic hemorrhoids
with some advocating home care treatment whilst
others will wish to choose between:
A surgical hemorrhoidectomy
where the hemorrhoids are removed in the operating
room.
Banding of hemorrhoids
where using scopes in the anus, the doctor will
get hold of the hemorrhoid and put a rubber band
around the base of it. The band strangulates the
hemorrhoid so that they both fall off about five
days later.
Then there is
infrared coagulation where a machine is used that
produces an infrared wavelength that treats the
chronic hemorrhoid rather like branding the hemorrhoid
back into place so that it cannot fall out again.
A further use
for this infrared procedure is where the artery
coming into the hemorrhoid is destroyed so that
the chronic hemorrhoid does not have a blood supply
and subsequently shrinks.
Stapled hemorrhoidectomy
is a fairly new procedure where the stapling device
bunches up the lining of the rectum so that the
prolapsed chronic hemorrhoids are pulled back
inside again.
Studies have shown
that drinking sufficient amounts of fluids (that
is 6 to 8 glasses of water daily) and eating foods
high in fiber (fresh fruits and vegetables, brans
and cereals) can to a large extent prevent hemorrhoids
in the first place as well as stop those chronic
hemorrhoids from recurring. This is because such
a diet softens the stool, brings regularity to
your bowel movements and reduces extra pressure
on veins around the rectal area. Even regular
and controlled exercise can pay a big part too
in softening the stool. So a change in your diet
and your lifestyle is a must if you are to live
your life free of chronic hemorrhoids or of course
any hemorrhoids.
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