How To Diagnose Hemorrhoids

Overview
By middle age, at least half of all adults have hemorrhoids, also sometimes called piles. Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels. They are similar to the varicose veins that some people get in their legs, but hemorrhoids develop in the anus and rectum. They are largely preventable and usually harmless. In certain circumstances, you should get a doctor's evaluation, especially if you see blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.

Types
Hemorrhoids can be internal (inside the anus/rectum) or external (visible from the outside). Larger, more severe internal hemorrhoids may pop out if you strain while having a bowel movement.

Features
Internal hemorrhoids may cause bleeding, which you are most likely to notice in the toilet bowl or on toilet paper after a bowel movement. External hemorrhoids tend to be itchy and swollen. People with hemorrhoids usually have both internal and external ones. Both types can cause painful evacuation.

Significance
Hemorrhoids are all about pressure--increases in pressure inside the abdomen. Some of the conditions that predispose to hemorrhoids include pregnancy and obesity. But constipation is probably the most common culprit, because it makes you strain to have a bowel movement.
Identification

A doctor can easily see an external hemorrhoid. Armed with a small mirror and protected by a lock on the bathroom door, you can visualize your own hemorrhoids as well. An external hemorrhoid usually shows up as a tender bluish bump at the rim of the anus. An internal hemorrhoid that has popped out is most often described as looking like a small, dark grape. An internal hemorrhoid that does not pop out can be more difficult to find. Sometimes your doctor finds one during a regular rectal exam. He or she can use an instrument called an anoscope to probe the rectum and anal canal to find them if necessary.

Prevention/Solution
If you have even a small amount of rectal bleeding, don't assume it’s just a hemorrhoid. You need to see your doctor to rule out a more serious condition--like anal, rectal or colon cancer.
Assuming you get past that hurdle, and most people do, you may be able to prevent hemorrhoids. Focus on relieving constipation. Pay attention to how much fiber you eat. Adults need up to 30 g per day. Use a fiber supplement or better yet, eat more vegetables and fruit. If you're not accustomed to eating lots of produce, you may feel bloated for a few days when you start. Not to worry--bloating diminishes as your system gets used to the new foods. You'll also need to drink lots of water to help move things through your GI tract in an expeditious fashion. Exercise helps on that score, too. Most important, go when you gotta go: Putting off the inevitable trip to the rest room worsens constipation.
If you experience discomfort because of hemorrhoids, consider taking a sitz bath one or more times a day. You can buy a small plastic sitz tub that fits inside an ordinary toilet. Just be sure to dry the area completely when you're done. A cold compress may also work for you. After you have a bowel movement, cleanse the affected area with witch hazel or warm water. Don't scrub, and don't use a harsh soap. Over-the-counter hemorrhoid remedies also help some people. In a pinch, petroleum jelly can also be used to make the area less itchy and/or painful.

If you have a small internal hemorrhoid that pops out, you may be able to place it back in on your own. If your hemorrhoids don't improve or get worse, your physician may recommend treatment to get rid of them. These procedures include rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation and hemorrhoidectomy. All of these procedures have the same result: destruction of the hemorrhoidal tissue.