The symptoms of a Prolapsed hemorrhoids are as follows: a second degree Prolapsed Hemorrhoid retracts of its own accord, a third degree Prolapsed Hemorrhoid is one that can be manually reinserted, while a fourth degree Prolapsed Hemorrhoid is one that remains externalized and cannot be reinserted. In the most extreme cases, a fourth degree Prolapsed Hemorrhoid becomes either Strangulated or Thrombosed, in addition to its resistance to being manually reinserted into the anus, after which it spontaneously remerges.
Prolapsed Hemorrhoid Symptoms may include mild itching or burning, slight to temperate bleeding, or in more extreme cases, produce severe pain by virtue of its becoming an inflamed mass of externalized tissue. Other common prolapsed hemorrhoid symptoms include either red blood in the stool or residual red blood on toilet paper, or an inability to complete a bowel movement. It should be noted that blackened stool or actual pain caused by the act of defecating is not typically symptomatic of a hemorrhoidal condition. In the presence of these last two symptoms, a doctor should examine the individual suffering the symptoms forthwith. Essentially, all masses of tissue that are externalized outside of the anus are regarded as external hemorrhoids, with the exception being the prolapsed hemorrhoid, which originate as an internal condition but extend outside of the rectum as they progress. Prolapsed Hemorrhoids have a variety of causes. Straining during bowel movements (caused by either diarrhea or constipation) is a typical culprit, as is hypertension, obesity, pregnancy, and cigarette smoking. Each of the foregoing causes has specific explanations, which are as follows:
Straining during a bowel movement places pressure on the walls of the anus, thereby weakening the rectal tissue of the anus and making it susceptible to a hemorrhoidal breach.
Constipation during pregnancy is often the result of water retention, which can induce strenuous bowel movements and thus weaken the walls of the anus, in addition to causing hypertension, which is not an uncommon condition during pregnancy.
Obesity can be a factor in causing Hemorrhoids due to an increase in the amount of pressure exerted on rectal veins, in addition to attending symptoms such as reduced muscle tone and poor posture, all of which also put additional stress on rectal veins.
Cigarette smoking during bowel movements have been linked to not only an increased risk in producing Hemorrhoids, but are also believed to be responsible for causing severe bleeding of the veins in the anus and the rectal area.
Causes and Prevention of Prolapsed Hemorrhoids
Prolapsed Hemorrhoids are caused by a myriad of reasons, and thus their prevention varies. However, there are standard preventative measures that are typically suggested as a means for either reducing the risk of developing them, or treating them should they occur. These measures include consuming more fluids and dietary fiber (fruits, vegetables, cereals or muffins that are high in fiber, in addition to taking fiber supplements). The consumption of fiber and fluids reduces the strain that occurs during bowel movements, which in turn act as agitating factors that can either cause or prolong the condition. Reducing the time and duration of a bowel movement is also a means of reducing the risk of developing Prolapsed Hemorrhoids, and is a practice that can also assist in the healing process. Elsewhere it has been suggested by doctors, and reported by patients, that tight undergarments can be a contributing factor to irritating the condition, as can the presence of weak muscle tone in the anal region. Additionally, women frequently report an increase in the development of Hemorrhoids, or Hemorrhoidal irritation during periods of menstruation, which may be alleviated by washing the affected area with cool or warm soapy water, which can also assist in reducing itching and irritation, and possibly stave off a general worsening of symptoms.
Prolapsed Hemorrhoid Treatment
Prolapsed Hemorrhoids, which are distinguished by an external lump of inflamed tissue protruding from the anus, can be treated with a variety of interventions, depending on their severity. Inflammation can be reduced by bathing in warm water, which assists the blood vessels in the rectal area to relax. Steady use of medicated ointments and creams during the initial onset of symptoms can also achieve some relief, and may be a deterrent against increased inflammation or a worsening of the condition.
Prolapsed Hemorrhoid Treatment is typically handled surgically because of the inherent severity of the condition and the nature of its symptoms. In such cases, where the hemorrhoid has externalized, a Hemorroidectomy may be performed. The procedure consists of surgically excising, or removing, the hemorrhoid, and is noted for the long duration of its recovery time and the severity of pain that accompanies it. The hemorroidectomy is only recommended for grade IV Hemorrhoids, and has been linked with cases of incontinence later in life. A Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy is a procedure whose objective is to resect the tissue that is in proximity to what is referred to as the dentate line (the dentate line is the region in the anal canal that resides above the area where an individual experiences pain). The Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy works by reducing blood flow to the inflamed tissue, thereby starving the hemorrhoid. It is a less painful procedure than a Hemorrhoidectomy, and is favored treatment by doctors and patients because of the shorter recovery time that is necessary to otherwise treat a Prolapsed Hemorrhoid.
Alternative Treatments for Prolapsed Hemorrhoids
Prolapsed Hemorrhoids can also be treated with a variety of alternative remedies, which include both preventative practices (usually dietary), as well as medicinally holistic treatment measures. For example, consuming bulk fiber products like psyllium seed husk and plantain is believed to produce softer stool, which is easier to pass and thus less likely to induce new Hemorrhoids or inflame preexisting ones. Adopting a squatting position when making a bowel movement is thought to ease stress to the anal walls and aid in easier defecation. For Individuals whose poor circulation is the cause of their hemorrhoids, doctors sometimes recommend using a pillow to raise the legs while sleeping to assist in eliminating altogether the presence of external hemorrhoids. The use of soothing compounds and substances such as Witch hazel, Cranesbill, Aloe Vera and honey are advocated and favored by some patients because they are regarded as natural or more organic than compounds such as Preparation H, and provide relief for some of the symptoms associated with the condition. Prolapsed Hemorrhoids have also been reported to respond to certain dietary interventions, such as Butcher’s Broom, Horse-Chestnut, as well as bioflavanoids. Because compounds such as Butcher’s Broom contain naturally occurring anti-inflammatory agents such as ruscogenins, they are often sought out by patients who wish to try an organic approach to addressing the symptoms that attend Prolapsed Hemorrhoids.
