THE ESSENTIAL
- During an external hemorrhoidal attack, a blood clot forms in the anus.
- You can follow certain tips to avoid seizures: eat fiber, stay hydrated, have regular bowel movements and play sports.
Hemorrhoids are painless except in cases of crisis caused by abnormally dilated veins. What happens during an external hemorrhoidal attack?
Parisian gastroenterologist Philippe Godeberge explains: “When a blood clot forms suddenly, a painful ball appears: your doctor speaks of hemorrhoidal thrombosis. Don’t worry, that clot in that vein is neither phlebitis nor a pulmonary embolism.”
“At the time of the toilet or wiping following the saddle, we perceive this lump: it is the external hemorrhoid dilated by this clot of blood and once the lump and the hematoma have resorbed, life resumes its course until the next crisis”, does he exhibit in a video on the subject for Medical Frequency.
Pregnancy and childbirth can cause hemorrhoidal attacks
“If the skin has been stretched significantly due to a voluminous thrombosis, it will not retract completely. There will then persist a small painless fold at the edge of the anus, a consequence of this skin stretching. This fold is called a marisque”, he explains.
Pregnancy and childbirth can also lead to marisques. “Hemorrhoidal thromboses are frequent during pregnancy and the skin impregnated with hormones is easily distended. Thus, external hemorrhoids can appear in young mothers who, until then, had not complained of anything.“, underlines the specialist.
To relieve the itching, it is possible to buy over-the-counter products such as ointments, creams or suppositories at the pharmacy. Most of these products contain hydrocortisone or benzocaine. The pain can be relieved with oral or topical analgesics. You can also ask your doctor to prescribe an ointment containing nitroglycerin or nifedipine, which relieves pain by decreasing the pressure in your veins.
Fibers, hydration, exercise… our tips to avoid hemorrhoids
There are simple and effective ways to prevent hemorrhoid flare-ups. First of all, specialists advise to eat as much fiber as possible from fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Indeed, the fibers soften the stools and increase their volume, facilitating their expulsion without forcing. Also, be sure to drink enough water each day and eat slowly in the morning, as the bowels empty easily following breakfast.
Practice regular physical activity to speed up your transit, and go to the toilet several times a day. Because the longer you wait, the harder and drier the stool will become. Avoid forcing while holding your breath and do not spend too much time in this position, because the muscles there relax and cause a rush of blood. The books and the telephones have no place in the toilet.
If none of these solutions make the crisis go away and they come back, surgery can reduce the pain. Under local anesthesia, the surgeon removes a small area around the anus, including the affected veins. However, this intervention must take place within 72 hours of the onset of symptoms.