Hemroid
Hemroid Definition
Hemroid is actually a misspelling of the medical condition hemorrhoids; it’s a word that’s prone to misspellings such as hemmoroids, hemroids, hemmorrhoids, hemorrhoids . A hemroid is an inflamed vein in the anal canal or directly at the opening of the canal. If the vein comes under stress it can weaken and form a tiny bulge in it, the bulge is the hemorrhoid. A hemroid inside the anal canal is called an internal hemroid while one at the opening is an external hemroid. Check out hemroid picture for a clinical medical drawing that is not graphic in nature.
Hemroidsare graded on a scale of I – IV according to the level of prolapse. Prolapse means that a hemorrhoid has become so enflamedthat it begins to distend, at this point an internal hemroid can actually fall out of the anal canal.
- Grade I – no prolapse
- Grade II – prolapsed, but it reduces on its own
- Grade III – prolapsed, but can be manually reduced
- Grade IV prolapsed, but can’t be manually reduced. Grade IV hemroids include strangulated hemorrhoids which are hemorrhoids that become trapped outside the anal canal when the sphincter muscles contract.
Hemroid Causes
The leading cause of hemorrhoid formation is straining while passing stools, this is usually due to a diet without enough fiber.
Other Causes:
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Sitting too much
- Genetics
- Chronic diarrhea
- Anal sex
- Aging – this may cause a loss of muscle strength holding the anal veins in place
Hemroid Symptoms
- Itching
- Pain
- Bleeding
- Swelling
- Burning
Internal hemroids located above the dentate line usually have no symptoms except for bleeding unless they begin to prolapse. This is because the upper 2/3rds of the anal canal, which is above the dentate line, has no pain sensors. External hemroids are usually much more uncomfortable, not only because they are located in a region with pain sensors, but also because they are subjected to a lot more daily stress from things like sitting and cleaning with toilet paper.
Hemroid Home Treatment
Improve your diet with fiber. This is the biggest little thing you can do to improve your hemorrhoids. No matter what grade of hemroid you have, dietary improvements will be required. In fact, patients with grade I hemorrhoids may find that an improved diet may entirely correct the condition. The average adult should be getting about 25 grams of daily fiber, but most Americans get less than half of this required amount. Fiber helps reduce straining and it also helps to soften stools, this not only helps provide relief for any current hemroids but may help prevent them in the future.
Use a sitz bath. A sitz bath is a tub designed to submerge the anal area in a small tub while in the sitting position. A sitz bath is recommended a couple times a day and after bowel movements. Don’t use Epsom salts or other bath products as these may cause irritation.
Non-prescription medications. These medications include creams and suppositories to help reduce swelling and minimize discomfort, such as preparation H.
Astringent pads. Tuck’s Pad contains witch hazel which is very soothing to external hemorrhoids.
Use a cold compress. This sounds like it may be unpleasant, but it helps to reduce swelling and some people find it helps.
Stay dry. Keeping the area dry can help reduce irritation. Don’t rub the area with a towel; try gently drying with a blow dryer. Change out of work out clothes as soon as possible.
Avoid irritation. Try switching to wet wipes instead of toilet paper, stay away from perfumed soaps, and scented bath oils and beads.
Over the counter pain medications. Aspirin, ibuprofen and acetaminophen can all provide temporary relief from hemorrhoid pain.
Hemroid Medical Treatment
Prescription medications. There are prescription strength creams and suppositories that work the same way as the over the counter versions, they just contain stronger versions of the active ingredients.
Rubber band ligation. Using a small drum like instrument that shoots small rubber bands, the doctor applies the bands to the hemroids. Usually this pain during this procedure is minimal because it is used on hemroids above the dentateline. The band cuts off the blood supply to the hemroid and in about 1 week, the hemroid shrivels up and is sloughed off naturally. The success rate is about 87%.
Sclerotherapy. A hardening agent (or sclerosingagent) is injected into the hemroid, causing the vein walls to collapse and the hemorrhoids to dry up. The success rate is 70%.
Infrared coagulation. This procedure involves using a highly accurate beam of infrared light to cut off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid by causing a blood clot. Coagulation can also be done with lasers or cryosurgery which involves freezing.
Doppler guided hemroid artery ligation. A Doppler ultrasound device is used to identify the hemorrhoidal veins, and then the hemorrhoidal veins are quickly stitched off cutting off cutting off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid.
Stapled hemorrhoidectomy. Staples are used to reposition the hemorrhoidal tissue disrupting blood flow to the hemroid.
Hemorrhoidectomy. This is the most serious of all hemorrhoid procedures and is usually only used after other methods have already been tried. The hemorrhoidectomy involves surgically removing the hemroid with a scalpel. This procedure is more painful than other procedures with a higher risk of complications such as infection and short term and long term incontinence.
