Hemorrhoids are another form of varicose veins that occurs inside or protruding outside of the rectum. Varicose veins develop when the one-way valves in the veins are damaged and allow the blood to pool. This pooling causes the veins to become distended, causing itchiness, pain, discomfort and bleeding. This condition also doesn’t allow the body to remove toxins and waste products from the cellular structure effectively.
In the case of hemorrhoids, the pressure builds when you strain to have a bowel movement, sit on the toilet for long periods of time or sit in the office for long periods of time. As with varicose veins in the legs there is also a genetic predisposition to the development of these varicose veins in the rectum. Those who know that family members suffer from this condition should take special precautions to prevent the development of hemorrhoids.
There are three different types of hemorrhoids depending upon the location of the inflamed and swollen vein. There are internal hemorrhoids which involve the veins inside the rectum and aren’t as painful as those which extrude. They may bleed painlessly. A prolapsed hemorrhoid can stretch until they bulge outside the anus. It can go back inside the rectum on its own or you can gently push it back inside. And external hemorrhoids involve the veins that are outside the anus and are often itchy, painful and sometimes will crack and bleed.
Those who have a hemorrhoid may feel a tender lump on the edge of the anus or see blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet after a bowel movement. Many will find relief from using these preventative measures, taking warm baths, using moist towelettes or ice packs to relieve the swelling. Your doctor can prescribe a steroid cream or suppository to help reduce the inflammation and pain.
One of the primary ways of preventing the development of hemorrhoids is to reduce the stress and strain of having a bowel movement. This means producing soft stool that can be excreted easily. You do this using several methods in combination.
Eat more fruits and vegetable to increase the high-fiber content of your diet. This helps to soften the stool and increase the bulk. This reduces straining that causes hemorrhoids or worsens the symptoms from already existing hemorrhoids. If you aren’t used to eating fiber in your diet you should introduce it slowly and gradually to reduce the amount of gas that your bowel will produce.
People who are used to eating fiber have no difficulty with increasing their fiber but intestines that aren’t used to digesting the products they are supposed to may increase the amount of gas produced until the body is able to manufacture enough of the right enzymes to completely digest the food. This is a natural process and high fiber should NOT be stopped just because you have a bit of gas.