If you are experiencing bloody stools and unmanageable pain in your rectal region, the chances are that you might have a thrombosed hemorrhoid. You don't have to worry, though! It's not as dangerous as it sounds, and there are many treatment options available to get you back to a healthy and active lifestyle.
Hemorrhoids, generally, refer to swollen or inflamed veins of the large part of the intestine or the rectal region. They can either be internal or external. In most cases, one doesn’t even know about their presence since they are painless. But, in some cases, they can turn into thrombosed hemorrhoids which can cause extreme pain and discomfort.
By the end of this article, you'll be well acquainted with the symptoms of thrombosed hemorrhoids as well as current remedies and treatment plans. So, without further ado, let's dive right into what thrombosed hemorrhoids are and what causes them!
Causes
As mentioned above, hemorrhoids are swollen or inflamed veins present in or around the anus. They can be felt as hard or swollen lumps which might or might not be painful. These blood vessels can become swollen due to pressure exerted against them.
Sometimes, blood clots form in these vessels, giving rise to thrombosed hemorrhoids. Unlike other types of hemorrhoids, thrombosed hemorrhoids can be quite painful.
The possible reasons for increased pressure on the blood vessels inside the rectum include:
- Increased fetal pressure, which is pressure from the baby during childbirth or pregnancy
- Strained or forced bowel movements
- Prolonged sitting on the toilet and lack of posture changes
- Chronic constipation and diarrhea
Some of the more rare causes include obesity, irregular bowel movements, and anal intercourse. According to many reputable medical sites like Healthline and Mayo Clinic, all chronic hemorrhoids have the potential to become thrombosed. However, doctors are still baffled as to why some people have the tendency to develop clots while others do not.
Symptoms
Before getting into the nitty-gritty of what sets thrombosed hemorrhoids apart from the other types, it is essential to mention that hemorrhoids, as well as a significant number of other medical conditions, can induce rectal bleeding.
NEVER ASSUME RECTAL BLEEDING IS ALWAYS RELATED TO HEMORRHOIDS OR FISSURES!
Healthcare practitioners strictly advise seeking medical assistance and prompt diagnosis because rectal bleeding can be one of the first anal or colorectal cancer indicators.
Now that we've got that out of the way, let's talk about other thrombosed hemorrhoids. Unlike the colorless rubber-like lumps that can often be observed with hemorrhoids, the swollen lumps in or around the anus for thrombosed hemorrhoids show a markedly different look. Due to the presence of blood clots, thrombosed hemorrhoids can usually appear as darkish, reddish, or bluish swollen lumps that feel warm to the touch.
If you have thrombosed hemorrhoids, you’ll experience severe pain and discomfort when trying to pass stool. You’ll likely experience bloody stools. Keep in mind that a much-ignored symptom of thrombosed hemorrhoids is an itchy anus!
If you have failed to make the pain go away by using ointments, you might have thrombosed hemorrhoids. Since the pain is internal, topical creams don’t stand a chance.
Complications
Untreated thrombosed hemorrhoids can also take red lumpy boil-like appearances when they get infected. An infection can cause painful pockets of pus to form, and a person can develop something called a perianal abscess. These should promptly be drained since abscesses can lead to further complications like anal fistulas, which require corrective surgery.
Treatments
It’s been a scary ride up so far. We’ve talked about the dangers of thrombosed hemorrhoids, but it's time to get you out of this rut with the following treatments options!
Lifestyle Changes
When it comes to diseases and medical conditions, prevention is the best medicine since it can save you tons of money on medical bills. So, in the spirit of that, whether you have hemorrhoids or not, the best way to prevent and even manage them is to make sure your stools are soft. This can help facilitate bowel movements and restrict the exertion of pressure.
Eating foods high in fiber content can help increase the bulk of undigested matter that composes our stool. This can soften it up and help you avoid strained bowel movements. Foods high in fiber content include fruits, vegetables, and whole grains.
If you have problems increasing your fiber content because of stomach pain or gas, consider taking fiber supplements. Today, there is an array of over-the-counter supplements available to help relieve symptoms and bleeding due to hemorrhoids. Some familiar names include Inulin, which helps maintain our gut microflora, and Citrucel (methylcellulose), which increases the gut's fiber content and prevents bloating.
Drinking plenty of fluids is another thing to add to the list. Hydration will not only keep your stool soft but keep you active throughout the day as well. You should drink at least six to eight glasses of water every day. Another necessary change is to adopt an active lifestyle. Avoid sitting for long periods as it would exert unnecessary pressure on the veins surrounding the anus.
Exercising is also an excellent way to reduce the pressure on your veins. It can also help with constipation and losing excess weight. Taking Sitz baths is also a proven method to thoroughly clean the affected region and alleviate pain from the symptoms.
Surgery and Drugs
Topical ointments consisting of the anesthetic lidocaine are commonly used to treat symptoms of thrombosed hemorrhoids. There have been studies on newer drugs that can resolve symptoms more efficiently than lidocaine. One that is common nowadays is topical Adalat CC, nifedipine, which is a calcium channel blocker used to treat blood pressure and angina.
Finally, if all else fails and home remedies cannot help, surgery may be your option. In today's world, corrective surgeries for thrombosed hemorrhoids are very safe and do not take up much time. Complications are a rare occurrence, and unlike other treatments, surgery can also get rid of thrombosed hemorrhoids for good since they revolve around the principle of removing the blood clot itself!
We hope this article helped you understand the symptoms and treatments for thrombosed hemorrhoids. If you have any further questions or queries, be sure to send us an email.
