Foogle Business - Haemorrhoids - Hemorrhoids - Hemroids - Piles - Varicose Veins

Hemorrhoids - also spelled Haemorrhoid, also called Piles, mass formed by distension of the network of veins under the mucous membrane that lines the anal channel or under the skin lining the external portion of the anus. It may be a complication of chronic liver disease or tumors. The weakness in the vessel wall that permits the defect to develop may be inherited.

Haemorrhoid are a form of varicose vein, a Haemorrhoid may develop from anal infection or from increase in intra-abdominal pressure, such as occurs during pregnancy, or while lifting a heavy object, or while straining at stool. Sweating around the anus does not help.

It is generaly accepted that the most common reason we get piles is through constipation, and the subsequent straining that come with this. Straining at stool, can be very dangerous, it is what killed Elvis.

Mild haemorrhoids may be treated by such methods as the use of suppositories, non-irritating laxatives, and baths. If clots have formed, or in the presence of other complications, the haemorrhoids may be removed surgically. A doctor once said that the second most painful operation is circumcision. And the first was the removal of piles.

Hemorrhoids, also spelt Hemroids, Haemorrhoids, also called Piles, and Rhoids. Also called grapes, because when the piles hang outside the body there is similar appearance to a bunch of grapes. Sometimes they are comically referred to as Heaps, as a play on the word, Piles.

In Cockney Rhyming Slang, as the phrase "Apples & Pears" meant stairs, "Farmer Giles" meant piles; but as in many words, as the English Language changes, it has fell out of use. But you may still hear the phrase: " . . . My farmers are giving me grief !"

Hemorrhoids, are a mass formed by the stretching and swelling of the network of veins under the mucous membrane that lines the anal canal, or also under the skin, lining the external portion of the anus. A pile, or piles are a form of varicose vein. A hemorrhoid may develop from an anal infection, or from some increase in intra-abdominal pressure, such as occurs during pregnancy. Also whilst lifting a heavy object, or having a sweaty anal area. But perhaps the most prevalent cause is straining at stool, or going to the toilet whilst constipated.

CONSTIPATION - delayed passage of waste through the lower portion of the large intestine, with the possible discharge of relatively dry, hardened feces from the anus. Among the causes cited for the disorder are lack of regularity in one's eating habits, spasms of the large intestine, metabolic diseases such as hypothyroidism or diabetes mellitus, neurological disorders such as a stroke, certain medications including morphine, codeine, antidepressants, and antispasmodics, lack of sufficient fiber in one's food, and excessive use of laxatives. Constipation may also be caused by intestinal obstruction by tumors or polyps or by weakness of the abdominal muscles. Temporary constipation most often occurs in conjunction with a change or interruption in one's usual activities, as in travel, temporary confinement to bed, or a change in eating or sleeping habits. Inmost cases, dietary and lifestyle changes can help relieve constipation.

STOOL or Feces, also spelled faeces. Also called excrement, the solid bodily waste discharged from the large intestine through the anus during defecation. Feces are normally removed from the body one or two times a day. About 100 to 250 grams - 3 to 8 ounces, of feces are excreted by a human adult daily.

Normally, feces are made up of 75 percent water and 25 percent solid matter. About 30 percent of the solid matter consists of dead bacteria; about 30 percent consists of indigestible food matter such as cellulose; 10 to 20 percent is cholesterol and other fats; 10 to 20 percent is inorganic substances such as calcium phosphate and iron phosphate; and 2 to 3 percent is protein. Cell debris shed from the mucous membrane of the intestinal tract also passes in the waste material, as do bile pigments - bilirubin, and dead leukocytes - white blood cells. The brown color of feces is due to the action of bacteria on bilirubin, which is the end product of the breakdown of the hemoglobin - red blood cells. The odor of feces is caused by the chemicals indole, skatole, hydrogen sulfide, and mercaptans, which are produced by a bacterial action.

Many diseases and disorders can affect bowel function and produce abnormalities in the feces. Constipation is characterized by infrequent evacuations and the production of excessively hard and dry feces, while diarrhea results in frequent defecation and excessively soft, watery feces. Bleeding in the stomach or intestines may result in the passage of blood with the stool, which appears dark red, tarry, or black. Fatty or greasy stools usually indicate pancreatic or small-intestine afflictions. Typhoid, cholera, and amoebic dysentery are among diseases spread by the contamination of food with the feces of infected persons.

It may also be a complication of chronic liver disease, or tumors. The weakness in the vessel wall that permits the defect to develop may be inherited.

The main job of the digestive system is to further process our food / organic fuel, after it has come from the stomach. Inside the lining of this 22 foot, or nearly seven meter canal, is a mass of veins that take / absorb water from the organic material, and put it back into our blood system, to be further purified via the kidneys.

Mild hemorrhoids may be treated by with the use of suppositories, non-irritating laxatives, and baths. One favorite method is the use of creams that shrink the skin and therefore make the piles smaller, allowing them to retract back up into the anus. If clots have formed, or in the presence of other complications, the hemorrhoids may be removed surgically.

Many ano-rectal problems, including fissures, fistulae, abscesses, or irritation and itching - pruritus ani, have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids usually are not dangerous or life threatening, unless severe blood loss occurs. In most cases, hemorrhoid symptoms will go away within a few days, and may never return, or be a rare occurrence. Then, you may have them quite often, and these will need attention.

Bacteria - A diverse group of ubiquitous microorganisms all of which consist of only a single cell that lacks a distinct nuclear membrane and has a cell wall of a unique composition. Bacteria are usually classified by means of Gram’s stain, whether or not they require oxygen (see aerobic respiration; anaerobic respiration), and on the basis of shape. A bacterial cell may be spherical (see coccus), rodlike (see bacillus), spiral (see spirillum), comma-shaped (see vibrio), corkscrew-shaped (see spirochaete), or filamentous, resembling a fungal cell.

The majority of bacteria range in size from 0.0001 – 0.0005 mm. Many are motile - self-propelled motion, under appropriate circumstances, using their flagella to swim. They also possess an outer slimy capsule, and produce resistant spores - endospores. In general bacteria reproduce only asexually, by simple division of cells, but a few groups undergo a form of sexual reproduction - conjugation. Bacteria are largely responsible for decay and decomposition of organic matter, producing a cycling of such chemicals as carbon (see carbon cycle), oxygen, nitrogen (see nitrogen cycle), and sulphur. A few bacteria obtain their food by means of photosynthesis (including the blue-green algae, now regarded as bacteria), some are saprophytes, and others are parasites, causing disease. The symptoms of bacterial infections are produced by toxins.

Although many people have hemorrhoids, not all experience symptoms. The most common sign of internal hemorrhoids is a coating of bright red blood on the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet itself. Constipation is characterized by infrequent evacuations, and the production of excessively hard and dry feces. It is the straining, the hardness and ungiving nature of these stools, that not only damage the anal canal, and the many veins there, causing bleeding, but also cause the internal piles themselves.

Constant stretching and straining, over sometimes years of defecation, allow any internal hemorrhoid to protrude down through the sphincter of the anus, and lodge outside the body. This can become sore, very irritating and painful. This is known as an external, or protruding hemorrhoid.

Symptoms of external hemorrhoids may include a painful swelling or hard lumps around the anus, that are caused when blood clots form inside the end-veins. This condition is known as a thrombosis of the external hemorrhoid. it is this that resembles the look of a bunch of grapes and this is very disabling.

In addition, more straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus may cause further irritation, with bleeding and severe itching, which may produce a vicious cycle of other symptoms.

The Treatment for Haemorrhoids differs depending on the severity of the problem. By far, most of the time treatment is simple and done at home.

Hot Sitz baths, or Hip Baths.

A Sitz bath is recommended around twice a day and after each bowel movement for at least 10 minutes. Sit in just a few inches of warm water, and rub gently, for a few moments. This is the best way to lessen the swelling and the pain. Be sure to be gentle and thoroughly dry the skin.

Dietary changes

Drink as much water as you can, within reason. Eat more fibrous green vegetables, which will make stools bulkier, and more pliable to relieve constipation. Some constipation sufferers may benefit from increasing the amount of bran and fiber in their diet.

Stool softeners

Stool softeners - certain drugs or preparations, might also help. You should be cautious though in always choosing a laxative for your constipation. If a laxative causes watery, runny stools, it can cause an infection of the haemoid.

Sitting Restrictions

Doctors also recommend people with hemorrhoids, not to sit for long periods of time. Long sufferers will feel more comfortable sitting on an air doughnut / rubber ring.

Over-the-counter medications

Many creams, ointments, and suppositories are sold as pain relievers and medicines for hemorrhoids. Whilst they can be quite successful for mild attacks, these medications are of little help in bad cases and sometimes might even cause the hemorrhoids to take longer to heal. Always consult your doctor.

Medical Treatment

Thrombosed Hemorrhoids

If you develop a hemorrhoid with a clot - a Thrombosed Hemorrhoid, you will feel some pain. If the pain is not severe and the swelling is not too much, many times the doctor can treat you with hot Sitz baths, and the bulking up the stools. This will allow some dispersal and some relief. If the pain is intolerable or the swelling is acute, it might be necessary to remove the blood clot / Hemorrhoid. This procedure can sometimes be done in a doctor's office or in an ER, but must not be attempted at home, due to possible grave blood loss. Before the clot is removed, the hemorrhoid is made numb with a local anesthetic. After the area is numb, the doctor will make a small cut in the hemorrhoid to remove the blood clot, or remove the Hemorrhoid itself, if it is clearly a vein-end. You will be started on Sitz baths at home, and any dressing should be removed when you take your first one about 6-12 hours after the clot has been removed. Almost everyone has great relief of their pain after the clot is removed, and will require generic pain-killers during the interim.

Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids

If you have prolapsed internal hemorrhoids, which you are unable to push back yourself, then your doctor may need to reduce them. Sometimes your doctor or nurse is able to gently push the hemorrhoids back into place. If the hemorrhoids are too swollen though, then you may need a surgical procedure. If the hemorrhoids remain swollen and trapped through the anus and nothing is done, then this vein will not receive enough blood, and start to die. If this occurs, it will eventfully become infected, and the infection can spread throughout the blood, making you very sick.

Surgery

If you have continued bleeding, and hemorrhoids that cannot be pushed back, uncontrollable pain, and severe rectal itching, surgery is required to cure this problem. The surgeon can inject the hemorrhoids with a drug that drastically shrinks them, or even place small rubber bands around the hemorrhoids to cut off the blood supply, thus allowing them to die off in a controlled manner. Less commonly used treatments are cryo-therapy in which the hemorrhoid is essentially frozen off, or laser therapy, in which the hemorrhoid is burned off, cauterizing the ends. Sometimes, it is necessary for the surgeon to actually cut the hemorrhoids off. In this case you will need to be put to sleep or have a spinal anesthetic.

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