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NURSING DIAGNOSIS
- Pain related to swelling and inflammation, especially if hemorrhoids are external
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- Recurrence related to insufficient bulk and fiber in diet
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- Deficient fluid volume related to inadequate intake and/or diarrhea
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- Impaired skin integrity due to swelling, bleeding, and repetitive wiping that delays healing.
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NURSING INTERVENTION
- Include more fiber in your diet. Fresh fruits, leafy vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals are good sources of fiber.
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- Drink plenty of fluids (except alcohol). Eight glasses of water a day is ideal.
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- Exercise regularly.
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- Avoid laxatives, except bulk-forming laxatives such as Fiberall, Metamucil, etc. Other types of laxatives can lead to diarrhea, which can worsen hemorrhoids.
- When you feel the need to have a bowel movement, don't wait too long to use the bathroom.
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TREATMENT
- Nonsurgical treatment relives pain swelling and pressure.
- Topical medicines like cream, lotions and suppositories soothe and shrink tissue.
- Sitz baths are comforting.
- Hot and cold applications are used.
- For thrombosed hemorrhoids ice packs are applied for a few hours then warm packs.
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SURGICAL TREATMENT
- 1. Ligation- Tying off with rubber bands, blood supply is stopped, tissue shrinks and dies, then falls off.
- 2. Sclerotherapy- An agent is injected into the tissue around the hemorrhoids, causing them to shrink. The results are temporary.
- 3. Thermocoagulation and Electrocoagulation- use of different types of devices to remove the hemorrhoid.
- 4. Laser Surgery- effective but more expensive and risky.
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PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
- Hemorrhoids are dilated veins in the Rectum. They may be above the Sphincter muscles of the anus (internal hemorrhoids) or below these muscles (external hemorrhoids).
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- If blood clots form in external hemorrhoids, they become inflamed and very painful.
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- Hemorrhoids containing clotted blood are said to be Thrombosed.
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SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids are rectal pain and itching. Bleeding may occur with defecation, especially if the hemorrhoids are internal.
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- External hemorrhoids are easy to see and appear red or bluish.