Hemorrhoids: Symptoms and treatment

In this blog post, we examine the causes of haemorrhoids and take a look at effective home remedies that can provide relief. We also look at various treatment options so that sufferers can make an informed decision. Because even though haemorrhoids can be a distressing condition, there are still ways to deal with them.

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There are various very unpleasant clinical pictures in the anal region and on the anus, most of which are generally referred to as hemorrhoids. But to call all complaints in the form of a thickening, fold or bulge in the anus by this name is wrong according to the medical definition. Accordingly, the treatment is also different.

In the following, we provide an overview of various clinical pictures on and in the anus or rectum in order to be able to recognize haemorrhoids as such. This is also because the entire body area around the bowel, anus and rectum is unfortunately still associated with a lot of shame and taboos, even though it has an eminent impact on our well-being - and on many other areas that are discussed elsewhere here.

In addition to haemorrhoids, pathological conditions in this area of the body can also include mariscus, anal thrombosis or even carcinoma. We will not go into the latter in detail below, as urgent medical attention is required here. If anything is unclear, a medical diagnosis should be obtained.

Various elements work together in the rectum to ensure that the anus is securely closed. In addition to the pelvic floor muscles, the anal sphincter (sphincter ani) performs the most important function. Slightly deeper in the rectum is a network of small arteries and veins that guarantee the fine adjustment for complete closure (e.g. for thinner stools). This system is called the hemorrhoidal seam or hemorrhoidal plexus and refers to a ring-shaped accumulation of (please note!) hemorrhoids. The term does not originally refer to a clinical picture, but the healthy haemorrhoids fulfil the eminently important function of safe bowel obstruction.

Strictly speaking, a pathological change should not be referred to as hemorrhoids, but as hemorrhoidal disease, but for the sake of simplicity we will leave it at the usual term.

Internal hemorrhoids

A haemorrhoidal disease occurs when individual vessels of the haemorrhoidal fringe become enlarged and abnormal for a variety of reasons; they are classified from grade 1 to grade 4. As long as they are moderate enlargements that remain inside the bowel, they are referred to as internal haemorrhoids or grade 1 haemorrhoids. These are often not noticed and cause little or no discomfort. If the causes are not remedied and internal haemorrhoids continue to swell and enlarge, they will temporarily or permanently protrude outwards.

External hemorrhoids

If the enlargements or bulges can be felt on the outside of the anus, these are external hemorrhoids. These unusual thickenings, swellings, protrusions or clearly protruding folds of skin sometimes appear overnight and cause alarm. External haemorrhoids are usually noticed when cleaning after a bowel movement or due to itching, pain or bleeding.

Classification or severity of hemorrhoids

The classification of hemorrhoids is divided into the following degrees of severity:

Grade 1 hemorrhoids refer to the internal variant with no or only minor symptoms.

Grade 2 hemorrhoids mean that they temporarily protrude from the anal canal - usually after a bowel movement - but then recede spontaneously or gradually afterwards.

Grade 3 hemorrhoids are those that do not retract back into the anal canal on their own, but can be pushed back into the rectum manually using a finger or dilators (see below). This process is known as repositioning or repositioning.

Grade 4 hemorrhoids is the classification for the degree of severity in which reduction is no longer possible and they remain permanently on the outside. Grade 4 hemorrhoids can usually only be removed surgically.

But there are also other clinical pictures in the anal region:

Anal thromboses, anal fissures and mariscuses

As mentioned at the beginning, hemorrhoids are often confused with other pathologies (clinical pictures) in the anal region such as mariscus, anal fissures or anal thrombosis. How can you recognize these or haemorrhoids?

In contrast to the other pathologies, anal thromboses or anal vein thromboses are acute events: Within a few hours, a clot develops in the form of a bluish-black, bulging knot. Another clear sign is sharp, stabbing pain. An anal thrombosis or anal vein thrombosis usually only occurs singly.

Marisci are relatively harmless phenomena, namely thickened folds of skin in or around the anus, which can occur singly or repeatedly. They are usually skin-colored to dark, soft to the touch and look like sacs or skin lobules. Normally they do not cause any pain or discomfort, but as they make it difficult to clean the anus, they can occasionally cause itching and, in severe cases, inflammation.

An anal fissure is a longitudinal tear in the sphincter muscle or anal canal. Although it often looks very fine on the outside, it can go very deep and cause severe pain, especially during bowel movements, when cleaning after a bowel movement or when showering. However, no tissue protrudes outwards and there is no feeling of a foreign body, so an anal fissure can be clearly distinguished from haemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids cause a distinct foreign body sensation. They usually develop over a longer period of time and are not necessarily painful. The most noticeable symptom is almost permanent, severe itching. Bleeding may occur during or after bowel movements, which may not necessarily be painful. Oozing and stool smearing are the cause of permanent hygienic discomfort and can easily lead to inflammation. In this condition, hemorrhoids are almost permanently painful.

Causes and development of hemorrhoids

The most common causes of hemorrhoids are:

Chronic constipation

It is often caused by a combination of a low-fiber diet, low fluid intake and a lack of exercise, favored by a sedentary lifestyle.

Wrong toilet behavior

Hektische Toilettengänge, häufiges, starkes Pressen beim Stuhlgang, noch dazu in ungünstiger Sitzposition. Vor allem Patienten mit chronischer Verstopfung (Obstipation) neigen dazu.

Overloading the pelvic floor

Lifting heavy loads incorrectly, being overweight and/or having a weak pelvic floor encourage the development of hemorrhoids.

Weak connective tissue

Another possible cause is hereditary varicose veins, which can also appear in other parts of the body.

Frequent diarrhea or frequent use of laxatives

Cause excessive expansion of the hemorrhoidal cushion and thus also create the basis for hemorrhoidal disease.

Pregnancy and birth

Women are more prone to developing hemorrhoids during this time due to their hormonal situation and natural stresses.

Prevention and home remedies for hemorrhoids

To prevent hemorrhoids as well as to support treatment, your diet should be high in fibre to ensure good and therefore unproblematic digestion. Dietary fibres are largely indigestible food components, predominantly carbohydrates, which are mainly found in plant-based foods such as fruit, vegetables and cereals and counteract digestive problems.

An adequate fluid intake of around 2 to 3 liters per day, whereby the main amount should be water, ensures a smooth stool consistency and facilitates laxation.

Correct toilet behavior during bowel movements is important. Avoid pushing and pressure, instead it is better to "push" from the stomach. Breathe in deeply and push the air down as far as possible. The correct posture helps, namely with a rounded back and feet flat on the floor. If this is not possible due to your height, use a footrest. Instead of the upright, "civilized" sitting position, the posture should be as close as possible to the natural squatting position that is ideal for sitting.

Anal hygiene after using the toilet should be very thorough and always consist of two steps: After dry pre-cleansing with gentle toilet paper, it is essential to follow up with moist cleansing, using a different washcloth every day and mild, nourishing wash lotion instead of wet wipes. This removes the breeding ground for inflammation. Finally, a healing ointment or hemorrhoid ointment can be applied if necessary.

Suitable household remedies are:

• Suppositories on a naturopathic basis
• Ointments with the ingredient witch hazel (witch hazel)
• For severely swollen or inflamed haemorrhoids, the following can help

Help with severely swollen or inflamed hemorrhoids:

• Cool sitz baths with sea salt or oak bark
• Curd packs
• Nasal spray, because it reduces swelling

The above measures are both good prevention and important support for effective treatment of existing hemorrhoids, which you can carry out yourself. In addition to suppositories, ointments and medication, there are also very suitable aids. If you are not sure, a visit to the doctor should clarify whether you have haemorrhoids and whether you can treat them yourself.

Effective aids for your own treatment: "Viball" and "FMS dilators"

With our medical products "FMS Dilators" and "Viball Medical Love Balls", you can efficiently treat hemorrhoids yourself. Both product lines are certified medical devices with proven effectiveness.

FMS dilators: ideal for repositioning and cooling

Theros FMS dilators are high-quality glass dilators made of extremely shatterproof borosilicate glass. FMS dilators are used for vaginal or rectal treatment of various diseases or problems in women, men and transgender people such as vaginismus, anal spasms, prostate problems, etc. The extremely smooth and cooling material enables extremely gentle but intensive use.

FMS dilators are optimal aids for repositioning (pushing in hemorrhoids). The many sizes and fine gradations allow optimal adaptation to the individual rectal absorption capacity and the best efficiency in the repositioning and other treatment of grade 1 to grade 5 haemorrhoids.

Application

Repositioning is performed with a dilator from 20 mm, with experience with rectal insertion and also considerably more. The cooled dilator should be carefully inserted with Vemal gel and left in the rectum for approx. 10 minutes. With a dilator set, the application is more efficient because the size can be precisely adjusted to the respective degree of discomfort and the individual physique.

Sizes from about 30 mm can be transformed into drip-proof and sustainable heat sinks by filling them with cellulose and water after a few hours in the refrigerator. By cooling the inside of the body as well, inflammation or swelling subsides quickly and the repositioning is more extensive.

Viball: Post-treatment of hemorrhoids in everyday life and healthy prostate

Viball medical love balls are made of implant steel and have been developed for vaginal and rectal use by women and men, which is why they are available in six sizes. Viball is a medical device for pelvic floor and prostate problems as well as incontinence with the functional principle of a love ball, but with the world's most intensive stimulation. Each ball can be worn completely inside the body for long periods of time and is therefore invisible from the outside. As a medical device, its effectiveness has been proven in clinical tests and safety of use is guaranteed.

Due to its special properties, Viball is ideal for the treatment of hemorrhoids:

• When worn in everyday life, a suitably sized ball prevents the hemorrhoids from (re)emerging (after repositioning)
• Due to its material properties and minimal cooling, implant steel has a natural anti-inflammatory effect and thus prevents swelling and inflammation.
• Deep-frozen over a longer period of time, Viball can also be used as a cooling element for effective cold therapy / cryotherapy in acute cases. The inner ball is strongly cooled, but the outer ball heats up on contact with the body and moderates the cooling. The small contact surface between the inner and outer ball enables moderate cooling for hours - and completely inside the body.