Many people suffer from hemorrhoids, a condition characterized by engorgement of veins in the rectum and anus caused by constant increase in pressure around the area. This condition is caused by many factors, like chronic constipation, lack of fibre in the diet and too much straining during the defecation process. Signs and symptoms of this condition may range from mild pain during defecation to overt bleeding, in which case you need to consult your doctor to prevent complications like haemorrhage. Other symptoms include abdominal bloating or the feeling of fullness and anal irritation.
One of the most alarming sign of hemorrhoids is prolapse. This occurs when the engorged veins protrude out of the anus. Some cases of prolapsed hemorrhoidal veins are manageable by hot sitz bath or by simply pushing them back in. But one of the complications of this condition is infection.
Infection, as in any other parts of the body, occurs when microorganisms invade a certain part of the body. Though microorganisms are normally part of the skin, a breach of this protective barrier can cause infection. The mere prolapse of the hemorrhoidal veins exposes these veins to the external environment where it is most prone to invasion of microorganisms. Pushing these veins back in also increases the risk of infection.
Because of infection, aggravation of an existing haemorrhoid and fever occur. The microorganisms that infect the veins can stimulate the immune system of the body to produce substances that set the thermoregulatory center of the brain to a higher level, causing fever. Though the body tries to protect the body from infection, this seems to have negative effect on a haemorrhoidal vein. Both hemorrhoids and fever are further augmented by the inflammation that ensues as the body’s immune system tries to wall off the microorganisms.
The inflammatory process further aggravates the pain, tenderness and other symptoms associated with it. The inflammation that results from infection causes further dilation of veins to allow the fluids and the white blood cells, the cells that are part of the natural immune system, to escape from the veins. This causes edema that can exert more pressure to the hemorrhoidal veins.
Since the pain that results from hemorrhoids and fever are further aggravated by infection, it is but proper to treat the infection. One way to eliminate the source of infection is to take antibiotics. However, this measure is not recommended by most doctors because not all antibiotics can kill the microorganisms present. To determine the microorganisms that are present, a laboratory test must first be instituted which in this case is requested by a physician. It is better to consult your physician regarding the antibiotics that you have to take.
Another measure to manage infection is minimizing unnecessary contact with the prolapsed veins. If you must push the prolapsed vein back into the anus, you must ensure sterility by using sterile gloves and proper hand washing techniques. Since infection causes further engorgement of the pain due to inflammation, a hot sitz bath may be useful. Make sure that the water that you use is not too hot because too much heat can aggravate the engorgement.
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