Don't be shy about talking about hemorrhoids! Let's talk about it openly.

Hemorrhoids are a common problem that many people have, but are a little embarrassed to talk about. Some people also call them "roots". Bleeding, pain, and itching when you go to the toilet can be very distressing. But don't worry, this is a very common condition and can be successfully controlled and cured. Today, we will talk about this clearly, as if we were talking to a close friend.

What are hemorrhoids?

Simply put, hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your anus and rectum. Similar to varicose veins in your legs, when the veins in this area are under pressure, they swell and become enlarged, forming hemorrhoids.

We all have these blood vessels. When they are normal, we have no problems. The problem starts when they become swollen and enlarged. The risk of this condition increases as we age. More than half of people over the age of 50 may experience this discomfort. But it can happen to anyone of any age.

What are the main types of hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids can be divided into several main types depending on where they occur. It is important for you to know this.

What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?

Symptoms may vary depending on the type of hemorrhoid.

• Internal hemorrhoids are often painless. You may not even realize you have them until they prolapse. The main symptom is painless, bright red blood that passes when you go to the toilet. You may see it on the toilet paper, with your stool, or in the commode.

• External hemorrhoids are more noticeable because they are on the outside.
• Itching and inflammation around the anus.
• Feeling pain or discomfort when sitting, especially on a hard surface.
• Painful lumps near the anus.
• Bleeding when you go to the toilet and clean yourself.

What are the main reasons for this situation?

The main cause of hemorrhoids is the continuous pressure on the veins around the anus and rectum. Things that can increase this pressure include:

• Straining while going to the toilet: Many people do this when they are constipated.
• Sitting on the toilet for a long time: Some people sit on the toilet for minutes at a time, reading newspapers, books, or looking at their phones. This puts unnecessary pressure on the veins in that area.
• Persistent constipation or diarrhea: In both cases, the area around the anus is constantly under pressure.
• Eating less fiber: When you eat less of things like vegetables, fruits, legumes, and bran rice, your stools become dry and hard.
• Weight lifting: This risk is higher for people who do heavy exercise or have jobs that require lifting weights.
• Pregnancy: During pregnancy, the weight of the baby and hormonal changes increase pressure on the veins in this area.
• Obesity: This condition can also occur when body weight increases.

How to get relief from hemorrhoids at home?

If your hemorrhoids are not severe, you can get great relief from simple things you can do at home.

• Take a Sitz Bath: This is one of the best things to do. Fill a large basin (one that you can sit in) with lukewarm water and sit in it for 10-20 minutes two or three times a day. This will greatly reduce pain, itching, and swelling.
• Eat foods rich in fiber: Include foods like greens, vegetables, fruits (like bananas), oats, and brown rice in your diet. These soften stools and help them pass more easily.
• Drink plenty of water: Drink at least 8-10 glasses of water a day. This will also prevent dry stools.
• Develop toilet habits: Go to the toilet as soon as you feel like it, don't put it off. And don't stay on the toilet too long.
• Stay clean: Clean the area thoroughly after using the toilet. Don't rub too hard. Rinsing with water is best.
• Pain relief: You can ask your doctor for a prescription for a pain reliever (NSAIDs). There are also some creams available at pharmacies, but it's best to ask your doctor for the right one.

When should you see a doctor?

If there is no improvement after about a week of home treatment, or if you have the symptoms below, you should definitely see a doctor.

• If there is severe pain .
• If there is too much bleeding .
• If the knot that came out of the anus cannot be put back in and it is very painful.
• If the bleeding is accompanied by dizziness, fatigue, or difficulty breathing .
• If there are other symptoms such as fever, nausea, or stomach ache .

Your doctor will examine you to determine if the condition is hemorrhoids or something else. He or she may also use an instrument with a small camera (anoscopy or sigmoidoscopy) to look inside.

What are the medical treatments for hemorrhoids?

If home treatments are not enough to control it, a doctor will recommend appropriate treatment for you.

• Rubber band ligation: A small rubber band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid to stop the bleeding. The hemorrhoid will shrink and fall off on its own within a few days. This is a very common treatment.
• Coagulation: The hemorrhoid is caused to shrink using infrared light or electricity.
• Sclerotherapy: A chemical substance is injected to destroy the hemorrhoid.
• Surgery: For hemorrhoids that are very large, painful, and do not respond to other treatments, surgery (`Hemorrhoidectomy`) may be necessary.

There is no need to be afraid of these treatments. Your doctor will decide what is best for your condition.

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