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Identifying and Treating Hemorrhoids in Children
As a parent, you may find it difficult to obtain information about hemorrhoids in children. Hopefully the information we have here will help you. Although you read a lot about hemorrhoids in adults and the elderly, there is not a lot of information that pertains to children. The fact of the matter remains that children do get hemorrhoids and they can be the result of a variety of different factors. It is not as common as hemorrhoids in adults but here are a few facts that will help you to identify and treat hemorrhoids in your children.
What are Hemorrhoids?When found in children, hemorrhoids are basically the same condition as hemorrhoids in adults. Hemorrhoids are anal veins that become swollen as the result of irritation from a hard stool that is passed during a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids can also be the result of straining during a bowel movement which will cause them to rupture and bleed from the rectal area. There are two types of hemorrhoids: external hemorrhoids and internal hemorrhoids, both of which can exist in children.
Causes of Hemorrhoids in ChildrenHemorrhoids can be hereditary so if one or more parent has the condition it can be passed on to the children. If a mother has hemorrhoids during pregnancy it is possible that the condition will be passed on to the child. Constipation is one of the primary causes of hemorrhoids in children. This is unlike adults who will have a variety of other causes that will come into play with a hemorrhoid condition.
Hemorrhoids Symptoms in ChildrenChildren may not be aware they have the condition especially if it is internal hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are generally painless but will cause minor irritation such as itching in the anal area. Signs of internal hemorrhoids can be identified by blood in the stool, on the toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl.If there is a lump on the anal opening this is a sign of an external hemorrhoid that has become prolapsed as a result of pressure from the anal muscles. You may also notice that your child complains about difficulty when passing a stool or pain and discomfort in the anal area.
It is always a good idea to rely on natural treatment options when treating hemorrhoids in your children.
Hemorrhoid Treatment in ChildrenAlthough there are no medical treatments available for hemorrhoids in children because adult treatment can cause further irritation, there are some steps you can take to provide your child with relief from hemorrhoids.
Natural Treatment There is a host of natural treatments that are available to help provide relief from hemorrhoids. Some of these treatments involve herbal combinations so you should consult your doctor before considering any of these types of treatments. Some of them are designed for adult use and can be too harsh on children.
Compresses You can create a cold compress and apply it to the area which is affected by hemorrhoids. Cold compresses will help to reduce the swelling in the anal veins and provide relief from any pain or irritation. You can also add witch hazel to the compress for extra soothing relief.
Sitz Bath Have your child sit in a warm sitz bath a few times a day and alternate the process with a cold compress. Make sure you dry the area that is affected by hemorrhoids to reduce the itchy feeling and irritation.
Healthy Diet Hemorrhoids in children can be caused by a diet that is too low in fiber. Make sure you serve foods that are rich in vitamin C which means fresh fruits, whole grains, and vegetables. Encourage your child to drinks lots of water and encourage exercise on a daily basis. Sitting in front of the computer games all day will only exacerbate the condition.
Hemorrhoids in children are not as common as hemorrhoids in adults however; if you practice the steps we discussed here you should be able to provide your child with relief from the condition and help to prevent your child from suffering from hemorrhoids in the future.
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