Healthy Lifestyle

Whenever blood is coming from the rectum something is wrong. When it comes to rectal bleeding hemorrhoids may be the cause. It is vital to see a medical professional to assess what is causing the bleeding. Focusing on hemorrhoids and bleeding, it is a good idea to know what is going on. As a result of a low fiber diet, constipation, diarrhea, hard stools or pregnancy the blood vessels or veins inside the anus or rectum become dilated. These blood vessels or veins can be either inside, outside or both sides of the anal opening. One of the concerns about self diagnosing hemorrhoids is that bleeding in this area can also raise red flags about colo-rectal cancer.

If thrombosis, a blood clot, appears there will be great pain and medical attention is needed immediately. Surgery is used frequently for thrombosis. With rectal bleeding hemorrhoids can be losing fresh blood. Internal hemorrhoids will generally leave blood in the stool. External hemorrhoids will likely leave blood on the toilet seat, underpants and toilet tissue. Treatment is in order and a physician needs to be consulted. There are simple tests that can be completed in a doctor's office. Another possibility is that the bleeding could be from anal tears, called anal fissures. These often require surgery.

Treatment for hemorrhoids is usually home based. Some procedures to address bleeding may be completed at the clinic. Ligation, or rubber band treatment, is the method of taking the swollen vein base and tying it off to cut off blood circulation. The tied off portion eventually falls off. Sometimes this has to be repeated for rectal bleeding hemorrhoids. Infrared light can be sourced to coagulate hemorrhoid veins on internal hemorrhoids. This may be repeated. Laser treatments are still in infancy stage but look probable for treatment. Lasers would be used for cauterization and coagulation.

Rectal bleeding hemorrhoids do require special attention. If there is an unusual size, excessive bleeding or when treatments are not working then surgery is likely. Surgical procedures are the exception rather than the rule. To help prevent hemorrhoids a diet rich in fiber, eating lots of raw fruits and vegetables, drinking lots of water, adding psyllium husk as a fiber supplement, exercising, not delaying bowel movements and keeping the anal area dry will help. The good news if that hemorrhoids are treatable and the same benefits of the health regime apply to preventing other diseases as well.