External Hemorroid Removal

External hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are dilated or bulging veins of the rectum and anus. Individuals who have sedentary lifestyles, pregnant women and women who have given birth have this condition more frequently than others. Most hemorrhoids heal themselves within a short period of time; however, there are different remedies and procedures that can help to alleviate this condition.

Causes

• Causes of external hemorrhoids include diarrhea, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, prolonged sitting, eating a low-fiber diet, straining during bowel movement, being overweight, or standing or lifting too much. Hemorrhoids are also more likely to develop as you get older due to the weakening and stretching of tissues that support veins in the rectum and anus.

Symptoms

• Symptoms may include a small amount of blood present in the stool or on toilet paper after wiping, incomplete bowel movements, rectal itching or a soft lump felt at the anal opening. Pooled blood may form a clot resulting in severe pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Remedies

• Over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams containing an anesthetic can temporarily relieve pain and discomfort. Often containing witch hazel or other topical anti-inflammatory agents, these ointments are soothing and have no harmful effects. Sitz baths, designed to allow soaking of hemorrhoids without taking a full bath, help relieve symptoms including itching, irritation and muscle spasms while also helping to shrink the hemorrhoid.

  Other remedies include wearing loose clothes and cotton underwear, using suppositories to help bowel movements, and sitting on a cushion rather than a hard surface to help reduce swelling of existing hemorrhoids and prevent more from developing. A small ice pack placed against the anal area for a few minutes can also help reduce pain and swelling.

Medical Procedures

• Because hemorrhoids do not always respond to self-care remedies, professional medical treatment may be necessary. HealthScout.com indicates there are three treatments usually performed on external hemorrhoids. A hemorrhoidectomy is used for severe causes of this condition. A narrow incision is made around both external and internal hemorrhoid tissue and blood vessels are removed. This outpatient procedure requires anesthesia and is performed in a medical facility.

  A second procedure involves laser coagulation where an electrode applies an electric current to the hemorrhoid. This sets off a chemical reaction cutting off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid causing the inflamed tissue to shrink. The third treatment, infrared photocoagulation, uses an infrared light to clot the dilated veins of the hemorrhoid causing it to shrink.

Prevention

• Prevention includes practicing good personal hygiene, controlling your weight, eating fibrous food to regulate bowel movements, using laxatives or stool softeners in case of constipation, and increasing physical activity and fluid intake.