Information about hemorrhoids, rectal bleeding, causes, symptoms and treatments. Tips for prevention as well as natural treatments of hemorrhoids. Description of all kinds of anomalies that can motivate rectal bleeding.

Wednesday, December 21, 2011

Rectal bleeding causes

Because there are several possible causes for minor rectal bleeding, a complete evaluation and early diagnosis by your doctor is very important. Rectal bleeding, whether it is minor or not, can be a symptom of colon cancer, a type of cancer that can be cured if detected early.
There are many possible causes. Brief overview of the more common causes:

Another causes of rectal bleeding

Abnormalities of the gut
Various abnormalities of the gut, or the gut wall may cause rectal bleeding in young children. For example: volvulus, intussusception, Meckel's diverticulum, abnormal blood vessel development.

Stomach and duodenal ulcers
An ulcer in the stomach or duodenum may bleed. This can cause melaena - where your faeces turn black as described earlier..

Some gut infections
May cause 'bloody diarrhoea' due to inflammation of the gut caused by some infections.
There are various other rarer causes.

Angiodysplasia

Angiodysplasia is increasingly recognised as a cause of acute or chronic gastrointestinal bleeding in the elderly. Colonic angiodysplasia is a degenerative vascular lesion of the colon associated with ageing ; it should not be confused with congenital or neoplastic vascular lesions of the gastrointestinal tract. It is a well-defined clinical and pathological entity with a clear predilection for the right colon.
Diagnosis of angiodysplasia has been facilitated by the use of angiographic techniques and colonoscopy.
Although the treatment of choice is right hemicolectomy, endoscopic treatment by laser or electrocoagulation is more and more performed.
Angiodysplasia is a condition where you develop a number of enlarged blood vessels within the inner lining of the colon.
The cause is unknown, but they occur most commonly in older people. Bleeding from an angiodysplasia is painless. The blood seen can range from bright red brisk bleeding, to dark blood mixed with faeces, to melaena. An angiodysplasia may also cause occult blood loss (see below).

Cancer of the colon

Cancer of the colon and rectum are common cancers in older people. They sometimes affect younger people. Rectal bleeding is one symptom that may occur. Bleeding is often 'occult' (see later) and other symptoms are often present before visible bleeding occurs. For example, pains, anaemia, weight loss, diarrhoea or constipation. See separate leaflet called 'Cancer of the Bowel' for details. Cancers of other parts of the gut higher up from the colon sometimes cause rectal bleeding, but these are uncommon.

Polyps

A bowel polyp (adenoma) is a small growth that sometimes forms on the inside lining of the colon or rectum. Most develop in older people. About 1 in 4 people over the age of 50 develop at least one bowel polyp. Polyps are benign (non-cancerous) and usually cause no problems. However, sometimes a polyp bleeds and sometimes a polyp can turn cancerous.

Ulcerative colitis

Ulcerative colitis is a disease that causes inflammation and sores, called ulcers, in the lining of the rectum and colon. Ulcers form where inflammation has killed the cells that usually line the colon, then bleed and produce pus. Inflammation in the colon also causes the colon to empty frequently, causing diarrhea.
When the inflammation occurs in the rectum and lower part of the colon it is called ulcerative proctitis. If the entire colon is affected it is called pancolitis. If only the left side of the colon is affected it is called limited or distal colitis.
Ulcerative colitis is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the small intestine and colon. It can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders and to another type of IBD called Crohn’s disease. Crohn’s disease differs because it causes inflammation deeper within the intestinal wall and can occur in other parts of the digestive system including the small intestine, mouth, esophagus, and stomach.
Ulcerative colitis can occur in people of any age, but it usually starts between the ages of 15 and 30, and less frequently between 50 and 70 years of age. It affects men and women equally and appears to run in families, with reports of up to 20 percent of people with ulcerative colitis having a family member or relative with ulcerative colitis or Crohn’s disease. A higher incidence of ulcerative colitis is seen in Caucasians and people of Jewish descent.

What are the symptoms of ulcerative colitis?
The most common symptoms of ulcerative colitis are abdominal pain and bloody diarrhea.
Patients also may experience
  • anemia
  • fatigue
  • weight loss
  • loss of appetite
  • rectal bleeding
  • loss of body fluids and nutrients
  • skin lesions
  • joint pain
  • growth failure (specifically in children)
About half of the people diagnosed with ulcerative colitis have mild symptoms. Others suffer frequent fevers, bloody diarrhea, nausea, and severe abdominal cramps. Ulcerative colitis may also cause problems such as arthritis, inflammation of the eye, liver disease, and osteoporosis. It is not known why these problems occur outside the colon. Scientists think these complications may be the result of inflammation triggered by the immune system. Some of these problems go away when the colitis is treated.

What causes ulcerative colitis?
Many theories exist about what causes ulcerative colitis. People with ulcerative colitis have abnormalities of the immune system, but doctors do not know whether these abnormalities are a cause or a result of the disease. The body’s immune system is believed to react abnormally to the bacteria in the digestive tract.
Ulcerative colitis is not caused by emotional distress or sensitivity to certain foods or food products, but these factors may trigger symptoms in some people. The stress of living with ulcerative colitis may also contribute to a worsening of symptoms.


Crohn's disease

Crohn's disease causes inflammation in the small intestine. Crohn's disease usually occurs in the lower part of the small intestine, called the ileum, but it can affect any part of the digestive tract, from the mouth to the anus. The inflammation extends deep into the lining of the affected organ. The inflammation can cause pain and can make the intestines empty frequently, resulting in diarrhea.
Crohn's disease is an inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), the general name for diseases that cause inflammation in the intestines. Crohn's disease can be difficult to diagnose because its symptoms are similar to other intestinal disorders such as irritable bowel syndrome and to another type of IBD called ulcerative colitis.
Ulcerative colitis causes inflammation and ulcers in the top layer of the lining of the large intestine.
Crohn's disease affects men and women equally and seems to run in some families. About 20 percent of people with Crohn's disease have a blood relative with some form of IBD, most often a brother or sister and sometimes a parent or child.
Crohn's disease may also be called ileitis or enteritis.

What causes Crohn's disease?
Theories about what causes Crohn's disease abound, but none has been proven.
The most popular theory is that the body's immune system reacts to a virus or a bacterium by causing ongoing inflammation in the intestine.
People with Crohn's disease tend to have abnormalities of the immune system, but doctors do not know whether these abnormalities are a cause or result of the disease. Crohn's disease is not caused by emotional distress.

What are the symptoms?
The most common symptoms of Crohn's disease are abdominal pain, often in the lower right area, and diarrhea. Rectal bleeding, weight loss, and fever may also occur. Bleeding may be serious and persistent, leading to anemia. Children with Crohn's disease may suffer delayed development and stunted growth.

Diverticula

A diverticulum is a small pouch with a narrow neck that protrudes from (sticks out from) the wall of the gut. Diverticula means more than one diverticulum.
Some people are born with a diverticulum, most often from the small intestine. Most diverticula develop during later life and are more and more common with increasing age.
the symptoms of diverticular disease are due to the muscle abnormality and consist of pain, usually in the left lower part of the abdomen, often abdominal distension, an irregular bowel habit with pellet-like stools, and sometimes small quantities of blood passed with bowel actions. These symptoms are similar to those of the irritable bowel syndrome which is not surprising because both disorders, at least in part, are due to abnormal muscle function.
A diverticulum may occasionally bleed and you may pass some blood via your anus. The bleeding is usually abrupt and painless. The bleeding is due to a burst blood vessel that sometimes occurs in the wall of a diverticulum and so the amount of blood loss can be heavy.

Monday, December 19, 2011

Hemorrhoids Treatment

  • A diet high in fiber and fluids is the single most important treatment and preventative measure. It promotes movement of wastes through the digestive system, resulting in softer stools.
  • Warm baths 3 to 4 times a day can help relieve pain and promote healing.
  • A medicated cream or rectal suppository may be prescribed to help reduce inflammation.
  • Occasionally, a natural grain product will be recommended as a supplement to dietary fiber.
  • Stool softeners may be recommended on a short-term basis for constipation.
  • Caffeine and alcohol should be avoided because they may act as irritants.
  • Surgery may be required in rare cases.

Natural Help for Hemorrhoids

There are many natural hemorrhoids self-care measures that can help to alleviate and serve as effective, gentle hemorrhoids treatments and provide hemorrhoids relief.
  • Bathe in a warm tub of plain water for about ten minutes to soothe andease the pain and discomfort
  • Use ice packs to help reduce swelling
  • Apply petroleum jelly, cortisone creams, hemorrhoidal cream or suppositories to the affected area for a limited period to relieve the itch and pain
  • Increase your intake of fiber such as fruit, whole grains and vegetables into your diet
  • Drink at least six to eight glasses of water daily for softer, bulkier stools
  • Wear cotton underwear and loose clothing to avoid irritation and discomfort
  • After bowel movements, clean the anus area gently by patting with moist toilet paper, pads or even ‘baby wipes’
Your doctor may prescribe acetaminophen or aspirin to relieve pain. Bulk stool softeners or fiber supplements are also recommended to soften stools. In more severe cases when natural hemorrhoids care isn't enough, hemorrhoids treatments may include endoscopically or surgically to destroy the hemorrhoid tissue.

Hemorrhoids causes

Hemorrhoids may occur at any time in men and women but generally become more common with advancing age, during pregnancy, and in women who have had children.
Causes of hemorrhoids include:
  • Genetic predisposition
  • Constipation and straining during bowel movements
  • Prolonged sitting
  • Diarrhea
  • Pressure and strain due to standing for long periods
  • Lifting objects that are too heavy
  • Vomiting
  • Pregnancy
  • Coughing
  • Sneezing
Maintaining an active lifestyle, combined with a high-fiber diet, is essential components to prevent hemorrhoids.

Types of Hemorrhoids

Internal Hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids are located high up in the anal canal and are not visible.
The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bleeding.
If internal hemorrhoids push through the anal opening while straining during a bowel movement, this is called a prolapsed hemorrhoid. It is painful and often difficult to push back into the rectum.

External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids occur outside the anus and are visible. They are enlarged veins covered by skin and are blue in appearance. They are often not accompanied by symptoms.
However, when they are inflamed, they become red, tender, and can bleed. Blood clots can sometimes form inside an external hemorrhoid.
When this happens, it is called a thrombosed external hemorrhoid. This type of hemorrhoid is a firm, tender mass in the anal area, usually as small as a pea, and causes severe pain.

hemorrhoids Prevention

The key to prevention is proper diet and habits to produce softer stools, thus reducing the need to strain.
  • Add plenty of fiber to diet (fruits, vegetables, legumes, and whole grains).
  • Drink plenty of fluids (8 to 10 glasses of water daily).
  • Don’t hurry or strain to push bowel movements, but avoid prolonged toilet sitting.
  • Avoid vigorous wiping after bowel movements (to decrease irritation).
  • Lose weight, if overweight.
  • Exercise regularly.

Anal fissures

Anal fissures are tears of the sensitive mucosal lining of the anus.
Anal fissures often cause pain during and after a bowel movement, sometimes followed by throbbing pain for several hours. They are also often associated with itching and blood on toilet tissue, in the bowl, or on the surface of the stool.
Anal fissures are caused by trauma to the anal canal usually during bowel movements. Anal fissures are also sometimes caused by inflammatory bowel disease or infection.

hemorrhoids diagnosis

A thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis by the doctor is important any time bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool occurs. Bleeding may also be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer.
The doctor will examine the anus and rectum to look for swollen blood vessels that indicate hemorrhoids and will also perform a digital rectal exam with a gloved, lubricated finger to feel for abnormalities.
Closer evaluation of the rectum for hemorrhoids requires an exam with an anoscope, a hollow, lighted tube useful for viewing internal hemorrhoids, or a proctoscope, useful for more completely examining the entire rectum.
To rule out other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding, the doctor may examine the rectum and lower colon (sigmoid) with sigmoidoscopy or the entire colon with colonoscopy.
Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are diagnostic procedures that also involve the use of lighted, flexible tubes inserted through the rectum.

Hemorrhoids symptoms

Many anorectal problems, including fissures, fistulae, abscesses, or irritation and itching(pruritus ani), have similar symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids usually are not dangerous or life threatening. In most cases, hemorrhoidal symptoms will go away within a few days.
Although many people have hemorrhoids, not all experience symptoms. The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl. However, an internal hemorrhoid may protrude through the anus outside the body, becoming irritated and painful. This is known as a protruding hemorrhoid.
Symptoms of external hemorrhoids may include painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus that results when a blood clot forms. This condition is known as a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.
In addition, excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus may cause irritation with bleeding and/or itching, which may produce a vicious cycle of symptoms. Draining mucus may also cause itching.

Hemorrhoids

The term hemorrhoids refers to a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum are swollen and inflamed.
Hemorrhoids may result from straining to move stool. Other cont ributing factors include pregnancy, aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea, and anal intercourse.
Hemorrhoids are either inside the anus (internal) or under the skin around the anus (external).

Index of all Blog articles about hemorrhoids

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