…Do you get so absorbed in playing on your phone while using the bathroom that you lose track of time?
…Do you have hard stools, difficulty defecating, or often strain during bowel movements?
If you have these behaviors… it increases the risk of “hemorrhoids”.
Get to know… hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are a common condition caused by swelling or stretching of the veins around the anus or the distal end of the large intestine. They can appear as protruding lumps from the anus or remain inside. Hemorrhoids are mainly divided into two types:
1. Internal hemorrhoids
These occur when the tissue inside the anus swells and can only be seen through an endoscope. The four stages of the disease have the following symptoms:
- Stage 1 is when hemorrhoids are small and remain inside the anus without protruding. There may be fresh blood during or after bowel movements.
- Stage 2 the hemorrhoid enlarges into a lump and protrudes during straining but can retract on its own. Fresh red blood may flow more frequently.
- Stage 3 the hemorrhoid is larger and protrudes during bowel movements but cannot retract on its own and must be pushed back manually. There may be bleeding and increased irritation.
- Stage 4 at this stage, the hemorrhoid is very large and protrudes outside the anus and cannot be pushed back in. It may cause pain and significantly disrupt daily life.
2. External hemorrhoids
These occur around the folds of skin at the anus, caused by swelling of the veins under the skin around the anus. This type of hemorrhoid can be seen and felt. When inflamed, it causes pain. Some patients may have both internal and external hemorrhoids inflamed at the same time.
Assess risky behaviors for “hemorrhoids”
Besides the incorrect behavior of sitting on the toilet for a long time, which is a risk factor for hemorrhoids, there are several other factors that can cause “hemorrhoids”, such as:
- Eating few vegetables and fruits, drinking little water, causing hard stools that are difficult to pass, leading some people to strain regularly.
- Due to rushing, trying to strain hard to finish quickly.
- Pregnancy, as the enlarged uterus restricts blood flow in the pelvic area, causing hemorrhoids to enlarge (it is recommended to see a doctor for hemorrhoid treatment before pregnancy).
- Older age causes weakening of the connective tissue in the anal lining, making hemorrhoids more prone to inflammation in elderly people.
Change behaviors to avoid “hemorrhoids”
Just a little adjustment in daily life can reduce the risk.
- Try to have regular bowel movements and avoid sitting on the toilet for long periods.
- Eat more vegetables and fruits because increasing dietary fiber helps make bowel movements easier. Also, drink plenty of water regularly to prevent dry, hard stools, which helps ease defecation.
- Exercise regularly to improve bowel function and promote smoother bowel movements.
Hemorrhoids can be treated… no need to worry
Treatment of hemorrhoids depends on the symptoms and severity of the condition. There are two types of treatment:
1. Non-surgical treatment
used for stage 1 and 2 hemorrhoids, where the hemorrhoids are not very large. Several treatment methods include:
- Suppository medication prescribed by a doctor (suppositories do not help treat external hemorrhoids).
- Injection injected under the skin at the hemorrhoid base to shrink the hemorrhoid. Injections are given every 2-4 weeks to relieve symptoms.
- Rubber band ligation to tie off the protruding hemorrhoid to cause it to shrink and fall off. This procedure requires a specialist’s expertise for safety, as infections and other side effects may occur. Patients on blood thinners should not use this method due to risk of excessive or uncontrollable bleeding.
2. Surgical treatment
is suitable for inflamed external hemorrhoids and internal hemorrhoids at stages 3 and 4.
- Standard surgery
This involves removing the enlarged problematic hemorrhoid tissue and cutting off the blood vessels supplying the hemorrhoid without damaging the anal sphincter. Patients can control bowel movements normally after surgery. This method provides better long-term results than others and has the lowest chance of recurrence. - Hemorrhoid surgery using an automatic stapling device (PPH stapler) is suitable only for internal hemorrhoids that are not too large. The doctor must use the device carefully, as mistakes can cause severe pain and long-term anal stenosis due to the permanent metal ring implanted.
- Laser hemorrhoid surgery
is suitable for mild hemorrhoids with small lumps. Laser light is used to destroy the blood vessels in the hemorrhoid, causing it to shrink. It is fairly effective but has a high chance of recurrence in the long term and is relatively expensive, so it is less popular. - Doppler guided hemorrhoid artery ligation with recto-anal repair
This treatment is only for small internal hemorrhoids. Ultrasound is used to locate the arteries supplying the hemorrhoids, which are then tied off to shrink the hemorrhoids without removing the inflamed tissue. This method is suitable only for small hemorrhoids.
Don’t think that “hemorrhoids” will just go away on their own.
Don’t think that “hemorrhoids” are embarrassing and avoid seeing a doctor.
If you have suspicious abnormal symptoms, you should see a specialist promptly for accurate diagnosis and timely treatment.
If you have “hemorrhoids,” don’t be shy, don’t hesitate.
A “specialist” can ease your worries…
