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He is one of the best gastroenterology doctors I have ever visited. Took my uncle for stomach pain, the doctor did endoscopy & colonoscopy, diagnosed the problem as large intestine cancer, the doctor asked a...
Uma V
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The doctor is extremely professional and polite. He explains the problem patiently and does not prescribe unnecessary medication. He gives priority to the patient's well-being over everything. I Will definitely recommend him
Chandrasekhar Sriramula
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I have referred/recommended a couple of my relatives and friends to this Dr (Dr. Srujan Kumar Dasyam). I say that the diagnosis and treatment are good and also Dr listens patiently in understanding the patient's...
Apoorva Reddy Panyala
Table Of Contents
- What are Hemorrhoids?
- What Causes Hemorrhoids?
- What are the Symptoms of Hemorrhoids?
- How are Hemorrhoids Diagnosed?
- What are the Complications of Hemorrhoids?
- How are Hemorrhoids Treated?
What are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids or piles are swollen veins located around the anus or lower rectum. These veins can be found both outside (external piles) or inside (internal piles) of the anus. Hemorrhoids are most common in adults around the age of 50.
What Causes Hemorrhoids?
Increased pressure in the rectum causes stretching in the veins present near the anus, which results in swelling and inflammation of the veins. The tension in the rectum increases due to:
- Straining during bowel movements
- Sitting for long periods on the toilet
- Having chronic diarrhoea or constipation
- Obesity
- Pregnancy
- Having anal intercourse
- Eating a low-fibre diet
- Regular heavy weight lifting
What are the Symptoms of Hemorrhoids?
Symptoms of hemorrhoids depend upon the type:
External hemorrhoids: Swollen veins are present under the skin around the anus.
- Itching or irritation in the anal region
- Pain or discomfort due to the lumps present around the anus
- Swelling around the anus
- Bleeding
Internal hemorrhoids: They are not visible outside, but straining during passing stool can cause:
- Bleeding during bowel movements.
- Hemorrhoid to push through the anus.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids: When blood pools in an external hemorrhoid, it forms a clot, causing:
- A hard lump outside the anus causing severe pain and discomfort
- Bleeding
- Swelling and inflammation
How are Hemorrhoids Diagnosed?
Diagnostic procedures include:
- Visual examination: Generally, a visual exam is enough to diagnose piles in case of external hemorrhoids. When the lumps are not discrete, the doctor might examine the lower portion of the colon and rectum with a proctoscope or sigmoidoscope.
- Digital examination: The doctor inserts a lubricated finger(gloved) inside the rectum to feel any growths, if present, inside.
- Colonoscopy: A flexible, lighted tube is inserted to create images of the colon. It is used to rule out the presence of colorectal cancer.
What are the Complications of Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids can cause a lot of complications, including:
- Anemia- Anemia is a condition in which you don’t have enough healthy red blood cells to supply oxygen to your cells and can be caused by persistent blood loss from hemorrhoids.
- Strangulated Hemorrhoid. -If the blood supply of an internal hemorrhoid, is cut off, it may become “strangulated,” causing excruciating discomfort.
- Formation of a blood clot-. A clot can form in a hemorrhoid on rare occasions (thrombosed hemorrhoids). Although it is not hazardous, it can be exceedingly painful and must be lanced and drained on occasion.
How are Hemorrhoids Treated?
These are some home remedies for pain relief:
- Sitz bath: Soaking the anal area in warm water for 15 minutes about 2-3 times a day helps calm the inflammation.
- Eat high-fibre food: High fibre food softens the stool and adds more bilk, causing minor discomfort while passing a bowel motion.
Medications:
- Topical treatments: Over-the-counter topical creams that numb the pain and reduce inflammation are available.
- Oral pain relievers.
Surgery: Hemorrhoidectomy is performed in case of complicated cases.
