Blood in Your Stool
What you need to know about hemorrhoids
My husband has hemorrhoids, which occasionally bleed. I told him to stop eating spicy foods which he loves because they cause hemorrhoids, but he doesn’t listen. Can hemorrhoids become cancerous?— lindasx@yahoo.com
Contrary to popular opinion, eating spicy food does not cause hemorrhoids. The swelling of the varicose veins in the anal canal is caused by frequent, excessive pressure on the veins in the pelvic and rectal areas, which can be from “straining” during bowel movements and aggravated by chronic constipation or diarrhea, pregnancy, and frequent heavy lifting. It can also, occasionally, be the result of portal hypertension (i.e., increased blood pressure in the portal vein) secondary to liver or heart disease.
Hemorrhoids are common among the middle-aged and elderly. Half of people who are 50 years old and above suffer from varying degrees of the condition. Other risk factors are being overweight, a family history of the condition, and a diet that is low in fiber.
Bleeding is the most common sign of hemorrhoids, which often happen during or after a bowel movement. Although the sight of blood can be scary, blood loss is generally minimal. It can also be itchy and even painful, which are felt when hemorrhoids get abraded or thrombosed (i.e., blood clots form in the veins).
In general, symptoms disappear within a few days through a combination of hot sitz bath, which involves sitting in a tub of warm water for 20 to 30 minutes, once or twice a day; and the application of ointments or suppositories, which contain several active ingredients including analgesics, corticosteroids, topical vasoconstrictors, moisturizers, and astringents.
It can also be treated by more invasive procedures such as injection sclerotherapy, which entails injection of a substance that obliterates the veins and replaces them with scar tissue and rubber band ligation, which is performed by tying the enlarged veins with rubber band until they wither and drop off spontaneously. As a last recourse, hemorrhoidectomy or surgical removal can be done.
Recurrence of hemorrhoidal symptoms can be prevented by adopting a fiber-rich diet and increasing one’s daily water intake. These measures will promote regular (daily) bowel movement of well-formed but soft stool that can be excreted without straining.
Hemorrhoids do not cause cancer but the symptoms are similar with those of rectal cancer and a few other diseases. That is why it is important to consult with a doctor when the symptoms of the condition appear, if only to rule out malignant or graver disorder.
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