Hemorrhoids
What is haemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoidal nodules are vasodilatations in the walls of the rectum and anus that may bleed, enlarge, slip out of the anus or fall forward permanently, causing constant discharge and frequent bleeding.
Possible complications include blood clot formation, acute exclusion and inflammation, which can make the haemorrhoids painful.
Depending on where they are located, they can be called external or internal haemorrhoids.
Incidence of haemorrhoids
It is estimated that almost a third of people are affected to a greater or lesser extent by haemorrhoids.
And one in two people over the age of 50 can say they have had a history of haemorrhoids.
Haemorrhoids are a disease of civilised, impoverished societies, largely contributed to by the fact that man has become a walking walking man.
There are no valves in the venous plaits around the rectum.
Causes of haemorrhoids
The primary cause of haemorrhoids is hereditary connective tissue weakness.
The most common direct cause is probably straining during defecation, which is obviously more common in constipation.
Indirectly, therefore, an inappropriate diet low in fibre plays a significant role.
In women, the pressure on the pelvic veins during pregnancy, the increase in blood volume, the vasodilating effect of progesterone and also the straining of the veins, cause more frequent complaints.
After childbirth, these haemorrhoids usually regress.
They can also be caused by certain liver diseases.
A sedentary lifestyle and lack of exercise and obesity are also associated with this condition.
Rectal tumours are more common than average behind haemorrhoid nodules!
Hemorrhoids can be caused by strong, spicy foods and alcohol.
Making the diagnosis
The area with unpleasant symptoms should be shown to a surgeon or a proctologist as soon as possible, as other conditions can cause similar complaints.
These include benign and malignant rectal tumours, which can be well treated if detected in time.
The test, a painless rectoscopy, can be done quickly and gives immediate, reliable results.
In addition to the haemorrhoids, depending on age and other symptoms, we may also perform other tests (laboratory, faecal enzyme tumour test, colonoscopy).
This will help to rule out the risk of higher incidence malignancies.
The course of haemorrhoids
There are four stages of haemorrhoids.
In the initial stage, the hemorrhoids are slightly enlarged and asymptomatic nodules appear near the anus.
These are not palpable or noticeable and can only be seen on examination (rectoscopy).
In the second stage, the nodules protrude briefly in front of the anus during defecation, bleed occasionally, but then recede on their own.
In stage three, the knots do not retract but can be manually repositioned, while in stage four, this is no longer possible manually.
They constantly bleed and ooze, contaminating the underwear.
Treatment of haemorrhoids
Treatment depends on the severity of the disease.
Asymptomatic haemorrhoids usually do not require treatment, but third- and fourth-degree haemorrhoids do.
Outpatient treatment is aimed at adjusting bowel movements and achieving adequate stool consistency.
Stool softeners can relieve constipation and care should be taken to eat an adequate, fibre-rich diet.
Drink plenty of fluids alongside vegetables, fruit, muesli and bran.
Mild complaints should also be investigated, but can be controlled with bowel movements, a sitz bath, tablets, suppositories or ointments.
Among the symptomatic treatments for the disease is injections of a drug into the lump, which causes scarring that blocks the vein.
This “intervention” is called sclerotherapy and is also used to treat varicose veins.
First- and second-degree, and sometimes third-degree, internal haemorrhoids can be squeezed with a rubber ring (ligature), which causes the haemorrhoids to die and painlessly drain away days later.
Hemorrhoidal bumps are removed one after the other, one after the other, using this method.
However, they cannot be used for external haemorrhoids.
Therapy is individualised and is carried out under general anaesthesia.
The large external and protruding internal nodules are removed in one operation with a Ligasure device, which is conceived as a special scissors that excises the haemorrhoids, immediately stitching the wound.
Prevention of haemorrhoids
Prevention can start at an early age, especially for children of parents with hemophilia.
Anything that helps to prevent constipation is preventive.
Whether it’s eating a regular meal or drinking a cup of warm fluid in the morning.
It can be preventive if bowel movements are always at the same time.
This is because, if you have an established rhythm of life, you are less likely to be forced to hold back stools against the stimulus, which can then cause constipation.
Do not use rough, hard toilet paper to wipe the rectum.
Using a bidet can be very helpful.
DO NOT use wet wipes or intimate wipes as these very often cause allergic reactions to the skin around the rectum
By eating right and chewing your food properly, you can make your stools soft.
A diet rich in fibre and low in sugar has a positive effect on bowel movements.
Of course, fluid intake is also important, with a minimum of around two litres of fluid a day recommended, depending on body size.
Recommended foods
- Müzli;
- dairy products;
- seeds: sesame seeds, linseeds, sunflower seeds;
- honey;
- mazsola;
- wheat germ;
- vegetables;
- fruits eaten from the peel;
- peanuts.
People who are prone to constipation should regularly include in their diets foods that give their bowels a little exercise.
These include yoghurt, sauerkraut, plum and apricot jam or a sip of coffee, a bunch of grapes or a combination of these.
Foods that have a gripping effect (apples, bananas or cocoa and chocolate) should be eaten in moderation.
