Dan Dver
Jared Kops
Billy Lee
Per 2
Honors Bio
May 1. 20003
Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed. They may result from strain when you are taking a crap, pregnancy, aging, chronic constipation, diarrhea, and anal intercourse. Hemorrhoids can either be inside the anus which is internal or under the skin around the anus which is external. Although hemorrhoids deal with ones anus, ones digestive system is greatly affected by this. Going number two is the last step in the digestive process, and if there is a hemorrhoid present, this act will be inhibited.
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Hemorrhoids are very common in
both men and women. About half of the
population has hemorrhoids by age 50 www.niddk.nih.gov/health/digest/pubs/hems/hemords.htm. The most common way to attract hemorrhoids
as stated earlier is during pregnancy.
This is because the pressure of the fetus in the abdomen, as well as
hormonal changes, causes the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. These vessels are also placed under severe
pressure during childbirth which is similar to having trouble squeezing out a
dump. However, these hemorrhoids in
pregnant women are usually just temporary and go away soon after
pregnancy. |
Hemorrhoids are treated in a variety of ways.
Although none of them are a full proof plan to curing them, many of the treatments are useful ways in relieving the pain. One way to reduce hemorrhoids is to take a warm bath several times a day in warm water for about ten minutes. A second way is to apply hemorrhoidal cream or take a suppository (a pill that goes up your butt) to the affected area for a limited time. Preventing recurrence of hemorrhoids requires relieving the pressure and straining of constipation www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hemorrhoids.html. This is possible by increasing your diet with more fibers and fluids. There are also fiber supplements you can take such as Metamucil, which make it easy to increase your fiber intake and is very beneficial because you don’t have to change your diet.
Now here comes the scary part. Some hemorrhoids refuse to go away and therefore are so painful and bothersome that they have to be surgically removed. There are several methods used to remove the hemorrhoids endoscopically, but a few are used more than others. A popular surgery is rubber band legation www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/hemorrhoids.html. In this surgery a rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid inside the rectum. The band cuts off circulation, and the hemorrhoid withers away within a few days. The other popular surgery is sclerotherapy. In this careful operation a chemical solution is injected around the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid and most often times it ends up vanishing shortly after.
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