Hemorrhoids are the vascular structures that are present in the anal canal that help with stool control.
Hemorrhoids cause significant problem when they are swollen or inflamed.
Generally, the hemorrhoids function as a cushion which is composed of arterio-venous blood vessels and connective tissue, which aid in the passage of stool.
External hemorrhoids are caused by the increased pressure within these hemorrhoidal veins.
These hemorrhoids typically develop when the pressure in the external rectal veins increases.
Thus, the veins become swollen and inflamed around the anus, which causes symptoms like anal bleeding, pain and itching.
Many other factors exacerbate the risk of developing this condition such as chronic constipation or diarrhea, obesity, cirrhosis, aging, straining to move stool, and pregnancy.
Hemorrhoids treatment options include modified bowel habits, healthy dietary changes, or surgery.
The Cause The hemorrhoidal veins remove waste from the anus, run through the large hemorrhoidal cushions on the interior side of the anal canal as well.
The veins can either constrict or open wide to provide anal sphincter control and flexibility.
The veins pass from the interior part of the body, past the anal sphincter, to the exterior part of the body and flow back again to the heart.
These veins, thus running out and in, run close to the exterior skin, which is the exact location where hemorrhoids originate.
Though the exact cause has not yet been identified, hemorrhoids occur due to excessive abdominal pressure, which in turn increases the blood pressure within the hemorrhoidal veins.
This increased blood pressure puts excessive force on the walls of the veins; though these walls have high-degree elasticity, they can only hold so much.
When the veins stretch too far to contract naturally, it forms hemorrhoids.
While most of the hemorrhoids are naturally cured, some grow larger and cause problems.
It is advised to treat external hemorrhoids before they reach to a dangerous stage.
The increased abdominal pressure can be caused due to a variety of reasons such as heavy lifting, long periods of sitting, diarrhea, constipation and pregnancy.
Pregnancy could also cause hemorrhoids, which would only abate months after child birth.
External hemorrhoids are also known to occur often in pregnant woman, but pregnancy-related external hemorrhoids heal after a couple of months.
Hemorrhoids can also occur if a person has a serious large intestine problem and they would only heal until the problem is identified and cleared up.
Several diseases such as Inflammatory Bowel Disease and Crohn's disease increase the risk of hemorrhoids.
Modern toilets are also said to have contributed to increase the risk for external hemorrhoids.
Sitting long on the toilet seat forces a person to sit with weak support from the pelvic muscles, causing hemorrhoids.
However, whatever be the state of the body, lifestyle changes and a healthy diet help both internal and external hemorrhoid treatment.
Symptoms Contrary to internal hemorrhoids that are not usually painful, external hemorrhoids are painful and embarrassing.
The symptoms include pain, bleeding, and anal itching.
These symptoms can be caused by excessive rubbing, cleaning, or straining around the anal area.
Itching can be caused by draining mucus.
In some severe cases, external hemorrhoid symptoms can cause a hard lump around the anal area due to the formation of a blood clot, which is known as a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.
There is, however, certain percentage of people that do not exhibit any symptoms with external hemorrhoids.
Symptomatic Treatment External hemorrhoids have painful and embarrassing symptoms due to the location of their occurrence.
The hemorrhoids originate below the dentate line that separates internal mucus membrane from the external skin.
Right below this dentate line, is a sensitive nerve band, where external hemorrhoids occur.
As the inflammation occurs on the nerve band, the sense of pain is heightened.
Luckily, there are many home remedies that can significantly help external hemorrhoids.
Fill the bath tub with a few inches of hot water.
Sit in the tub for twenty minutes.
After stepping out of the tub, use a towel wrapped ice pack to get better relief.
Repeat this process for three to four times per day.
Note: Never put bare ice on the skin.
Take Ibuprofen tablets or any other anti-inflammatory medicine to get maximum pain relief.
With the help of the pharmacist, buy a topical cream with anesthetic.
Other ingredients in the cream include corticosteroids, vasoconstrictors, and astringents and corticosteroids.
Vasoconstrictors help shrink the blood vessels, which make them very valuable for treatment.
Astringents make the skin around the external hemorrhoids to cool down and dry up.
The corticosteroids, such as hydrocortisone, decrease the inflammation of the external hemorrhoids.
Note: Never apply a cortisone cream on a regular basis as it weakens the muscle walls, especially if used for a longer period.
External Hemorrhoids Treatment The best treatment for external hemorrhoids is to make lifestyle changes.
Though there are medicines that heal the external hemorrhoids, they cannot work with the wrong food choices.
There are numerous medicines, both natural and regular, that cure hemorrhoids.
Medicine that is applied externally is available over the counter, but oral medicines need prescription.
In severe cases, the hemorrhoid develops a blood clot where a total hemorrhoidectomy becomes the only option.
Hence, it is always advisable to treat hemorrhoids before it is too late.
Management The last but the most important part of hemorrhoids treatment is to manage and prevent its recurrence.
Avoid any potential causes for the hemorrhoids.
Healthy food and exercise help prevent their recurrence.
Elevate the feet when sitting over the toilet so that it is more of squatting position.
Always wear loose underwear and clothing.
Remove the usage of any irritants such as soaps, toilet paper, and laundry detergent.
Wipe gently after regular bowel movements.