Under the mucous membrane in your rectum are clusters of blood vessels known as hemorrhoids. These are a normal part of your body’s anatomy but when they swell with blood and become irritable; it becomes a condition still referred to as hemorrhoids which affects 4.4% of the population in the US. Hemorrhoids sometimes bleed and this is due to a number of reasons that will be explored in this article.
Hemorrhoids form when too much pressure is exerted on the blood vessels in the anus and rectum. The pressure may be from straining during bowel movements, having excess weight, pregnancy, aging, or sitting for too long on the toilet. Blood flow to and from the heart is therefore hindered from moving smoothly. This results in the pooling of blood in these blood vessels.
Hemorrhoids that form in the rectum are known as internal hemorrhoids while those that form in the skin around the anus are known as external hemorrhoids. Bleeding sometimes occurs from both internal and external hemorrhoids. If the bleeding is painless, it’s from internal hemorrhoids because the rectum lacks pain receptors. Conversely, painful bleeding is from external hemorrhoids where pain receptors are present.
Bleeding occurs in two situations. The first is that when passing hard stool, the surface of the hemorrhoids may be grazed in the process and bleed. The second reason is when a thrombosed hemorrhoid bursts. A thrombosed hemorrhoid is a hemorrhoid with a blood clot inside and it can happen to both an internal and external hemorrhoid. When it becomes too full of blood, it bursts to relieve the pressure. Although the built-up pressure is extremely painful, you will get relief once it bursts.
When hemorrhoids with blood clots burst or they simply get injured, you will notice blood in the toilet after bowel movements. However, bleeding should last a few seconds or minutes and cease.
Bleeding is fairly normal when you have hemorrhoids but some cases might call for a doctor’s attention. If the bleeding lasts for longer than 10 minutes and even causes you to be light-headed, seek medical attention immediately! The bleeding could be because of a more serious underlying condition like colorectal or anal cancer.
You can treat hemorrhoids at home using natural methods or remedies that you can easily find over-the-counter in your local store, pharmacy, or online. Some of these treatment options include:
Aloe Vera
Freshly extracted aloe vera gel from the plant’s leaf is very good at relieving itching, inflammation, and pain. Apply it directly on the hemorrhoids but be sure to test for any allergic reactions beforehand.
Warm Bath
Soaking in a tub of warm water or sitting over a sitz bath on your toilet after bowel movement will help in relieving hemorrhoids symptoms. It soothes irritation and even makes swellings go down by improving blood circulation. Add Epsom salts to make the relief kick in even more powerfully.
Topical Medication
You can buy over-the-counter anti-itch creams, ointments, or suppositories in a drug store to reduce the irritation of hemorrhoids. They are usually made from soothing agents like hydrocortisone and witch hazel. You can also get soothing wipes or soap made with witch hazel to use after bowel movements. You can find a selection here.
Witch Hazel
Witch hazel is a natural anti-inflammatory remedy that can reduce the pain and swelling of hemorrhoids. It’s available in liquid form that you can apply directly to the hemorrhoids.
Cold Compress
Pressing ice on the hemorrhoids will give you an instant soothing effect. It relieves pain, itchiness, and even shrinks blood vessels. Wrap ice in a towel and hold it on the hemorrhoids for 15 minutes at a time when the discomfort gets too much.
Stool Softeners
Constantly straining when passing hard stools can make you develop hemorrhoids and cause them to bleed. You can prevent this by taking stool softeners and fiber supplements such as psyllium. They will add to the bulk of your stool and soften it so it’s easier to pass.
Natural oils
Support your hemorrhoid treatment process in a proven way. Use hemorrhoids oils. Oils are specialized on different conditions – depending on your conditions pick the correct one:
For non-bleeding Hemorrhoids go here.
Bleeding hemorrhoids: start here and then continue with hemorrhoids oil
For Anal fissures find the right oil here.
If your hemorrhoids symptoms are too persistent even after trying home remedies and are affecting the quality of your life, you may need to get them removed by a doctor. Some of the methods doctors or surgeons use to eliminate hemorrhoids are:
Rubber Band Ligation
In this procedure, a doctor inserts a ligator into your anus to get a hold of a hemorrhoid and then put a rubber band on its base. The blood supply of the hemorrhoid is cut off so it dies and falls off.
Sclerotherapy
In this method, a hemorrhoid is shrunk down using a chemical that is injected into it.
Hemorrhoidectomy
It’s a procedure performed by a surgeon where cuts are made at the sides of the hemorrhoids and the swollen veins are removed. It can be done to get rid of both internal and external hemorrhoids.
Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy
This is done on internal hemorrhoids that have prolapsed outside the anus. A doctor uses a stapling device to staple the hemorrhoid back to its original place in the rectum.
Treat the Clot
For thrombosed external hemorrhoids, treating the clot will help with relieving the excruciating pain. Minor surgery can be performed to remove the clot from the blood vessel.
Hemorrhoids occasionally bleed so if it happens to you don’t have to be alarmed. In case you notice that the bleeding is out of the ordinary, see a doctor to ascertain that it’s nothing serious. Otherwise, hemorrhoids are very treatable so you shouldn’t suffer in silence!
