Understanding Hemorrhoids: Causes, Symptoms, and Management

What is it?

Hemorrhoids are swollen veins located around the anus or in the lower rectum.
There are two kinds of Hemorrhoids:
Internal hemorrhoids develop within the anus or rectum, And they tend to bleed more and hurt less than external hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids develop outside of the anus, they do not tend to bleed but may be very disturbing or cause pain.
The veins around the anus tend to enlarge as a result of pressure around the rectum. The risk factors for the development of hemorrhoids are: strain during bowel movement, sitting on the toilet for a long time, chronic constipation, pregnancy, obesity, and family history.

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Additional names

This group contains additional names:
- Haemorrhoids
- External Hemorrhoids Without Complications
- Internal Hemorrhoids Without Complications
- Internal Thrombosed Hemorrhoids
- External Thrombosed Hemorrhoids

Signs & symptoms

Symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
* extreme itching around the anus
* irritation and pain around the anus
* a lump or swelling near your anus
* fecal leakage
* painful bowel movements
* you may notice blood on your tissue or in the toilet after having a bowel movement

Diagnosis

A visual examination of your anus may be enough to diagnose hemorrhoids. Your doctor may also want to do a digital rectal exam. During this exam, your doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into your rectum.
Additional tests may include sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy, in which a small tube with a camera is being inserted through your anus. From this test, your doctor gets a clear view of the inside of your rectum so that they can examine the hemorrhoid up close, and rule out other diseases of the colon that may cause your symptoms.

Treatment

Many cases of hemorrhoids resolve on their own. Treatment options include:
* lifestyle modifications: you may soak in a hot tub for at least 10 minutes every day, avoid using dry or rough toilet paper when you wipe after a bowel movement, drink lots of water and eat a fiber-rich diet in order to minimize constipation.
* Medications: you may use OTC suppository, ointment or cream to relieve the pain or itching. Ask your doctor or the pharmacist about them. Your doctor may also prescribe a corticosteroid cream.
* In more severe cases, or if home-therapy did not help, certain procedures may be suggested. These include Band ligation (a procedure in which elastic bands are applied onto a hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply), sclerotherapy (chemical injection to block off a vein), or a surgical removal of the hemorrhoids.

☝️ This is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please consult with your physician before making any medical decision.

Learn more about our editorial process for content accuracy.

Source of Information - We analyze big data of more than 23 million patients de-identified medical records from the following sources:

National Institution of Health ∙ World Health Organization ∙ University of Illinois hospital