Blood in the Stool

Any process within the intestinal tract that causes bleeding can result in blood in the toilet or on your undergarments. Hemorrhoidal bleeding is usually scant, a few drops or sometimes as much as a couple of teaspoons. If you feel weak, light-headed, or dizzy combined with more significant blood loss, seek medical attention immediately. There are a number of potential causes of intestinal bleeding, some of which can be serious. Small bleeds may be a warning of a larger bleed to come.

Never assume that bleeding is from hemorrhoids, especially if you are over age 40 or have no history of previous hemorrhoid problems. If you have black and/or tar-like stools, see a doctor immediately. Gastrointestinal specialists use upper and/or lower endoscopy (long telescopic probes with a leading video camera inserted via the mouth or anus) to diagnose gastrointestinal bleeding. If they cannot determine the source of bleeding with endoscopy, they might use a nuclear scan or even angiography (a dye study of the arteries) in the investigation.

Hemorrhoids

Most often, bright red blood with a bowel movement is due to bleeding from hemorrhoid veins. Hemorrhoid bleeding may occur when enlarged and inflamed blood vessels that line the anal canal rupture. You may also experience pain with defecation or anal itching. Enlarged hemorrhoids are caused by excessive and repeated pressure on the rectum caused by constipation, straining, or prolonged sitting. Often a bout of diarrhea precedes the symptoms of inflamed hemorrhoids.

Treat hemorrhoids with topical steroid preparations, in cream or suppository form, and stool softeners. Frequent warm soaks in the tub keep the area clean and provide additional relief. Chronic sufferers should avoid prolonged straining and sitting, and choose a diet high in fiber to avoid constipation. Bulking agents such as Metamucil or Citrucel may help you stay regular.

Many pregnant women experience hemorrhoids during pregnancy and they can literally be a pain in the butt. They are often something that most cannot avoid because women often are constipated during this time.

Some women will get hemorrhoids for the first time when they are pregnant. Sometimes they come in the beginning or they might happen in the second stage of labor when the woman is pushing to get the baby out. They sometimes will go away once pregnancy is completed.

As the pregnancy continues and the uterus grows to accommodate the baby’s growth it can push on the pelvic veins and other veins in the surrounding area. This can slow the blood that returns to the lower part of your body. This can make the veins more swollen or dilated.

Women also have more constipation during pregnancy because they may be straining to get feces out. The strain can make the hemorrhoids either get more aggravated or can get them started.

Progesterone also increases during pregnancy and can cause the vein walls to relax which allows them to swell. This can also slow down the intestinal tract.

How to Get Relief from Hemorrhoid

There are many ways to relieve the symptoms of hemorrhoids during pregnancy. Here are a few:

Sitz Bath – One way that many women find to help their hemorrhoids is to sit in a bathtub. This is not always possible when you are pregnant so another suggestion is a Sitz bath. This is a small plastic container that you can sit over the toilet and sit your bottom in to sooth the hemorrhoids.

Hot and cold treatments – Some women find relief when they use hot and cold treatments. You can start with an icepack on the hemorrhoids and then sit in a warm Sitz bath afterwards.

Medicated wipes instead of toilet paper – There are some brands of medicated wipes that are easier to use for wiping than toilet paper. Tucks has one brand that can help. Sometimes these are more soothing to hemorrhoids than regular toilet paper.

Creams or suppositories -. There are many topical remedies that you can put on hemorrhoids to stop the itching and inflammation. Preparation-H is one type but you can also find creams or suppositories to help.

How To Avoid Hemorrhoids During Pregnancy

There are many ways to avoid hemorrhoids during pregnancy so that you will not have to deal with them. The first thing to do is to eat whole foods that are high in fiber. Fruits and vegetables are best because they have the roughage you need and they are natural fiber.

Adding more water to your diet will be good for you and your baby. Drinking the 8-10 glasses of 8 ozs of water or at least 3, 24 oz bottles of bottled water will keep you hydrated and stop constipation.

Finally try to get a little exercise even if it is just a walk around the block. This will also help your circulation and help you stay away from constipation.