This ailment causes a lot of inconvenience, but if you consult a doctor at an early stage of the disease, the condition quickly normalizes. Hemorrhoids are called dilation of arteries, veins and connective tissue in the anal canal, in which there is an increase and sometimes loss of hemorrhoids — vascular formations located in the lower part of the rectum. In a calm state, these nodes help to retain fecal masses. Since hemorrhoids can be a symptom of serious ailments, at the first signs of trouble, you need to consult a proctologist.
Who suffers from hemorrhoids
Constipation, prolonged sitting on the toilet, a sedentary lifestyle, alcohol abuse, heavy physical exertion and weight lifting are associated with the appearance of hemorrhoids. According to one theory, due to the rush of blood to the anus and an increase in intra-abdominal pressure, the rectum stretches and presses on the hemorrhoids, provoking their loss.
Hemorrhoids in women often appear during pregnancy, as well as during childbirth. In expectant mothers, due to the fact that the uterus increases in size and presses on the veins, the blood «stagnates» and the veins of the rectum expand. This contributes to an increase in hemorrhoids and their loss. During childbirth, tension during attempts can lead to the same results.
Women who have not given birth suffer from hemorrhoids 5 times less often than those who have given birth at least once. Among pregnant women, the statistics are as follows: in 30-year-old expectant mothers, this disease occurs 3 times more often than in 20-year-olds.
Most people find themselves with hemorrhoids, feeling discomfort, as well as pain or seeing blood during defecation. Sometimes anal itching appears. Pregnant women often have thrombosis: blood flows to one of the nodes and remains in it. The woman feels unbearable pain. If these signs appear, you need to visit a proctologist as soon as possible. The doctor can release blood clots, and the expectant mother will immediately feel better. In any case, the doctor will advise how to adjust the stool, and recommend an ointment that will help «dissolve» blood clots. But the most important thing is that in non—pregnant women, in order to exclude serious ailments, he will conduct an examination of the rectum. For expectant mothers, if the hemorrhoids have not resolved, a similar procedure is carried out most often after childbirth.
How to treat hemorrhoids
On the eve of the evening and in the morning on the day of the visit to the proctologist, in order to clean the intestines, you need to make an enema. The standard diagnostic method is finger examination. In addition to hemorrhoids, it allows you to detect anal fissure and narrowing of the lumen of the rectum. If there are complaints about blood in the stool, they can do a rectoscopy. A special tube — a rectoscope – is inserted through the anus into the rectum to inspect its inner surface to a depth of 15-20 cm. The procedure is performed without anesthesia.
A more modern method of investigation is fibrocolonoscopy. It is carried out in large and specialized hospitals and well-equipped polyclinics. Not only the rectum, but also the entire colon and the end of the small intestine are examined using a 2-meter flexible tourniquet made of a variety of light-conducting fibers, through which an image is transmitted to an eyepiece or monitor. To avoid discomfort, the anesthesiologist introduces sedatives before manipulation. On the eve of this procedure, you need to drink drugs for intestinal cleansing (polyethylene glycol, sodium phosphate or make an enema).
With hemorrhoids, it is better not to use toilet paper. Instead, it is recommended to use wet wipes. The second option is to wash the anus with warm water after each defecation. With frequently swollen external nodes, you can take 10-15-minute sedentary warm baths.
Usually, hemorrhoids are treated conservatively with ointments and candles with a slight anti-inflammatory and hormonal effect. To adjust the stool, dietary fiber preparations and copious drinking are recommended. The treatment lasts from 6 weeks to 6 months. If the condition has not improved after it and the complaints continue, surgery is possible.
In pregnant women, symptomatic treatment of hemorrhoids is carried out. Conservative therapy, a diet with an abundance of fiber and fluid in most cases lead to an improvement in the well-being of the expectant mother. After giving birth, a significant part of the problems goes away.
