Hemorrhoids (piles) are swollen, painful varicose veins in the anus or rectum that often hang down outside your anus. They can look like small grapes and are often caused by constipation, obesity, heavy lifting or pregnancy. While they are not life-threatening, they can cause great discomfort and embarrassment.
A twisted and enlarged vein that is near the surface of the skin or other organ.
Hemorrhoids are a very common condition and occur when there is a prolonged increased pressure on the veins inside your anus. This leads to varicose veins developing and forming hemorrhoids.
A twisted and enlarged vein that is near the surface of the skin or other organ.
There are several health conditions and lifestyle factors that may put you at greater risk of developing hemorrhoids, these include:
There are two main types of hemorrhoids: internal and external:
These form higher inside your rectum and usually don't cause any pain. These hemorrhoids aren't usually noticed unless they bleed. Mucus and fecal incontinence sometimes occur with this type of hemorrhoid.
If they protrude outside your anus, they are called prolapsed hemorrhoids. You can sometimes push them back inside. They tend to protrude or hang down and can be very painful.
These are small lumps that form underneath the skin around your anus. If they develop a blood clot (thrombosed hemorrhoid) they will swell up and turn into hard painful lumps. The pain usually last two to three days, but the swelling may remain for weeks. Pain and itching are a common symptom and if ruptured, external hemorrhoids can bleed. Once they heal, a skin tag may remain.
Internal and external hemorrhoids.
A thick, viscous liquid that is secreted for lubrication and to form a protective lining over certain tissues.
The thickened or solid mass formed from a liquid, such as blood. Blood clots normally form at an injury site to prevent further blood loss.
The signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids will depend on whether they are internal or external. If you have internal hemorrhoids, you may not be aware of them unless you become constipated and need to strain to pass a bowel motion. This straining puts pressure on the anal passage and can force internal hemorrhoids outside your anus. These prolapsed hemorrhoids can be itchy and quite painful.
Thrombosed external hemorrhoids can also be quite painful. They commonly appear as purplish, tender lumps around the anus.
Other symptoms of hemorrhoids include:
A thick, viscous liquid that is secreted for lubrication and to form a protective lining over certain tissues.
Hemorrhoids are a very common complaint and your doctor will have diagnosed many cases, so do not feel embarrassed about discussing this issue. Anal bleeding can also be a sign of a more serious underlying condition, so it is essential to have it checked out. Your doctor will need to take a full medical history, examine you and may perform some tests. Make sure to mention any unusual symptoms you are experiencing such as weight loss or change in bowel movements. A visual examination will be enough for your doctor to diagnose external or prolapsed hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids may require additional procedures to be diagnosed.
A digital rectal examination involves your doctor putting a lubricated, gloved finger in your anus to feel for an internal hemorrhoid or to detect bleeding.
A proctoscopy is a common procedure that involves inserting a thin, hollow lubricated instrument (proctoscope) into your rectum. The instrument is lit and allows your rectum to be examined closely. If your doctor suspects that you are bleeding further up your colon, other tests may be suggested.
Sigmoidoscopy involves the insertion of a device called a sigmoidoscope into the bowel through the anus, allowing your doctor to see the lower part of your colon and rectum. Usually, you will need to use enemas to clean out the lower part of the colon and rectum, prior to having this procedure performed.
During a colonoscopy the entire length of the colon is examined using a long tube with a camera called a colonoscope. This is usually performed under light sedation, and generally requires cleaning out the colon and rectum with laxatives and/or enemas, prior to having this procedure performed.
Colonoscopy.
Many cases of hemorrhoids can be resolved with simple lifestyle changes. Avoiding constipation by eating a healthy diet that contains high-fiber, plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains, increasing your water intake and exercising regularly, can help treat and prevent hemorrhoids. Occasionally, laxatives may be needed to help keep stools soft to avoid straining.
With some cases though, you may need medications or surgery.
Over-the-counter pain-relief medications such as acetaminophen and ibuprofen can help manage the pain. Keeping stools soft using laxatives can also help reduce pain when passing stools.
Special hemorrhoid creams to reduce pain, itching and inflammation may be prescribed or bought over the counter to treat thrombosed external hemorrhoids. Hydrocortisone creams may be prescribed to help with localized irritation in the short-term, but can thin your skin with long-term use.
Sitting in a warm, hip-deep bath (sitz bath) two or three times per day can greatly reduce the pain associated with thrombosed external hemorrhoids.
Using moist, unperfumed toilet paper or wipes will help keep the anal area clean and cause less irritation than dry paper.
Applying a cold compress or ice pack may help relieve severe inflammation and discomfort.
If a blood clot appears in an external hemorrhoid, your doctor can drain it with a simple cut, providing immediate relief. However, this should generally be performed within 24-48 hours of the condition developing.
This procedure is performed by a surgeon or gastroenterologist (a specialist doctor) and involves placing specialized rubber bands around internal hemorrhoids to cut off their blood supply. The hemorrhoid and rubber band will eventually fall off. This procedure may be performed in the doctor's clinic.
Rubber band ligation can be used to remove internal hemorrhoids.
This involves a special chemical being injected into your hemorrhoids, in order to shrink them.
This involves using infrared radiation to treat internal hemorrhoids, which may need to be over a series of sessions. An intense beam of radiation creates scar tissue, which cuts off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid. After about seven to 10 days you may notice bleeding as the hemorrhoid falls off.
This procedure involves the surgical removal of your hemorrhoids, usually under a general anesthetic. Your surgeon will cut away or laser your hemorrhoids then close the wound with stitches. You may experience post-operative pain for a few weeks and may have to take laxatives to avoid constipation until you have healed completely. A hemorrhoidectomy may be necessary if you:
There are always risks with any type of surgery. After a hemorrhoidectomy, potential complications may include pain, urinary retention, delayed bleeding, urinary tract infections, fecal incontinence, fecal impaction, infection and anal stricture.
This procedure involves removing enlarged hemorrhoidal tissue, then stapling the remaining tissue back into its normal position. This is considered less painful than hemorrhoidectomy.
The narrowing of a passageway in the body.
The thickened or solid mass formed from a liquid, such as blood. Blood clots normally form at an injury site to prevent further blood loss.
Hard and dry stools that do not pass out easily from the body.
If left untreated hemorrhoids can lead to fecal incontinence, anemia and recurring thrombosis (clot formation within the hemorrhoid).
In general, the long-term outlook if you have hemorrhoids is positive. Lifestyle changes and a high fiber diet alone may be enough to keep symptoms at bay most of the time. If you do have a flare-up, self-care remedies can usually help.
The thickened or solid mass formed from a liquid, such as blood. Blood clots normally form at an injury site to prevent further blood loss.
If you try to avoid constipation by eating a healthy diet that contains high-fiber, plenty of fruit, vegetables and whole grains, increasing your water intake and exercising regularly, this will lessen the chance of your hemorrhoids returning.