Classifications and Treatment for Hemorrhoid / Hemmoroid

Hemmoroid or Hemorrhoid is caused by a painful, swollen vein that has developed due to the application of too much pressure. This condition does not really impose a serious health risk, but can cause tremendous pain that leaves a person very uncomfortable. Diarrhea or constipation can promote the development of hemorrhoids. In addition, being overweight also promotes the development of hemorrhoids, which makes obese people more likely to acquire this.

The two classification of Hemorrhoid (Hemmoroid): Internal and External

Internal hemorrhoids develop at the surface of the top anal canal and may not be seen by the naked eye. Internal hemorrhoids are often small and are sometimes not painful under this condition. However, internal hemorrhoids can also be large and has a tendency to sag, which eventually leads to pain once it begins to bulge out. They are most painful when the blood supply is cut-off or when they bulge out and being squeezed by the muscles in the anus. Symptoms of internal hemmoroid may include blood on the surface of the bowel. Mucus may also be observed on the bowel once internal hemorrhoids bulge out.

Basically, internal hemorrhoids are graded into four degrees by physicians according to its severity. The first-degree of internal hemorrhoid may undergo bleeding but does not slip out (or prolapse). On the other hand, a second-degree hemorrhoid prolapse but can be retracted on its own (may or may not experience bleeding). A third-degree type of hemmoroid may prolapse but can be tucked back inside the rectum with a finger. Lastly, the fourth-degree type of hemorrhoids are those that prolapse but cannot be inserted back in the anus by a finger.

External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, are formed at the end of the anal canal near the rectum. Though the formation of external hemorrhoid is not yet clear, it is prone to irritations that can cause pain. Once it gets irritated, it can clot under the skin and form a hard and painful lump, which is called thrombosed (clotted) hemorrhoid. This external hemmoroid doesn’t need to bleed to be seen, since its presence can be easily identified through examining the rectal area. Other symptoms also include itchiness and lumpy feel at the rectum. In addition, thrombosed hemorrhoid can be classified as a fourth-degree type of hemorrhoid.

Hemorrhoid Treatments: Diet, Fixative, and Surgical

• Change in Diet

There are different treatments designed for each type of hemorrhoid. Treatments depend on the severity of the condition and may range from a simple hemorrhoid cream, to a complicated surgery. Some hemorrhoids can even be treated with a simple change of diet. Normally, people suffering from hemorrhoids experience a great pain during bowel movements due to the pressure and constriction on the anal canal. Because of this, high-fiber diet is recommended for those people suffering from this condition. Fiber is known to soften the bowel, thus, it can decrease the tension as well as the pain while the hemmoroid naturally shrinks away.

• Fixative Treatments

Fixative treatments or non-surgical treatments are applicable for less severe hemorrhoids. The goal of this treatment is to reduce the amount of blood supply, causing natural shrinking of the swollen hemorrhoids. Fixative procedures include hemorrhoidal creams, rubber band ligation (tying of rubber band on the hemorrhoid), and coagulation therapy. Coagulation therapy uses heat, laser, or electric current to create a scar tissue. Scar tissue left in place of the hemmoroid helps support the anal tissue while it helps prevent more hemorrhoids from developing.

Other non-surgical hemorrhoidal treatments include sclerotherapy and cryotherapy. Sclerotherapy is the oldest form of treatment, which is done through injection of liquid phenol or quinine urea at the base of the hemorrhoid to induce inflammation and scarring. Cryotherapy, on the other hand, used ultra cold temperatures to cause inflammation and scarring. However, this procedure is time consuming and not-effective as compared to other treatments. Cryotherapy also has more post-treatment pain, thus, this procedure is not commonly used but can be an alternative.

• Surgical Treatments

Surgical procedures are usually used for removing large internal hemorrhoids or severe cases or hemorrhoids. Some surgery procedures include Doppler Ligation, which enables the doctor to identify and cut the swollen artery that causes the hemmoroid to swell. Another type of surgical treatment for hemorrhoids is the hemorrhoidectomy, which is usually done for patients with third or fourth-degree hemorrhoid. During this treatment, hemorrhoids are cut out, leaving the wounds to be left open or stitched together.

Another type of surgical treatment is dilation of the anal sphincter, which is done forcefully by stretching the anal canal. This method, however, damages the sphincter itself and causes patients to become incontinent (unable to control their stool) after dilation.

Though surgical treatments may provide long-term results as compared to non-surgical treatments, the cost of such procedures is more expensive and sometimes there are complications that accompany certain removal of hemmoroid. Thus, at the onset of hemorrhoids, it is best to immediately seek a doctor’s advice before the condition worsens.

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