Common Questions About Hemorrhoids

I’m going to talk about something a little tasteless but very important today, and that is hemorrhoids, colonoscopies  and anal examinations.

Many people love to talk about fasting and cleansing, but when I bring up the topic of enemas, colonoscopy and hemorrhoids, many clam up as if I was talking about something horribly obscene.

But I will tell you what is REALLY obscene. Waking up with colon cancer because you either procrastinated getting checked or did not ever think about it. So let’s talk a little about hemorrhoids:

What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are inflamed but typically existing blood vessels around the anus and lower rectum that extend under pressure, much like spider veins in the legs. The higher pressure and inflammation may result from straining too much to have a bowel movement. Other contributive reasons can include being pregnant, heredity, aging, and chronic constipation and / or diarrhea.

Hemorrhoids are generally inside the anus or under the skin surrounding the outside of the anus. Many anorectal problems, including irritation, itching and swelling have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid flare-ups usually are not serious or terminal. In most cases, hemorrhoid symptoms should subside in just a few days.

What Are The Symptoms of Hemorrhoids?

Although many people have hemorrhoids, not everyone is going to experience symptoms. The most common sign of inner hemorrhoidal inflammation is bright red-colored blood within the fecal matter, on bathroom paper, or perhaps in the toilet. However, hemorrhoids may stick out from the anus outside the body, becoming inflamed and painful. This is whats called a protruding hemorrhoids.

Symptoms of external hemorrhoids may include unpleasant swelling or even a hard lump about the anus which results when a blood clog forms.

This problem is known as a thrombosed external hemorrhoids. Furthermore, too much straining, scrubbing, or washing around the anus could cause irritation with swelling and/or itchiness, which may produce a vicious cycle of symptoms. Draining mucus may also cause itchiness.

Both women and men commonly encounter hemorrhoids. About half of the populace get hemorrhoids by the time they are 50.

Hemorrhoids & Pregnancy

Females often go through hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Pressure of the unborn infant in the abdomen, in addition to hormonal changes, cause the hemorrhoidal veins enlarge.

These blood vessels are also placed directly under severe pressure throughout labor. For the majority of females, on the other hand, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy are a temporary problem.

A thorough assessment along with appropriate medical diagnosis is essential whenever bleeding from your anus or blood within the stool lasts for longer than a few days at most. Rectal bleeding might be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancers.

The doctor investigates the rectum and anus to search for swollen blood vessels that reveal hemorrhoids and will also perform a physical rectal probe with lubricated sanitized gloves to feel for irregularities.

More detailed evaluation of the rectum for hemorrhoids requires testing with an anoscope, a hollow, lighted tube helpful for looking at internal hemorrhoids, or a proctoscope, useful for a more comprehensive examination.

To rule out other causes of intestinal bleeding, the doctor may examine the anus and inferior colon or all of the  colon through a colonoscopy. Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are diagnostic methods which also involve use of tubes of light inserted in the anus. I know that none of this sounds very inviting and, in truth, most of us tend to shun colonoscopy like the plague.

But, I must tell you dear friend, it is better to take a little discomfort and perhaps a bit of a hit on your pride NOW, than to have to deal with something as awful as colon cancer LATER. So, if you have not had a colon examination in more than five years, I recommend that you call your doctor and have one done asap – especially if you are over forty and have had frequent bouts with hemorrhoids.

Regular Juice Fasting can help to keep the body detoxified and the colon clean, which is a very strong preventive measure you can take against hemorrhoids and your health in general.