Hemorrhoids, also called "piles," are swollen tissues that contain veins. They are located in the wall of the rectum and anus and may cause minor bleeding or develop small blood clots. Hemorrhoids occur when the tissues enlarge, weaken, and come free of their supporting structure. This results in a sac-like bulge that extends into the anal area.
Hemorrhoids are unique to humans – no other animal develops them. They are very common – up to 86% of people will report they have had hemorrhoids at some time in their life, though people often use this as a catch-all label for any ano-rectal problem including itching. They can occur at any age but are more common between the ages of 45 and 65. Among younger people, they are most common in people who are pregnant.
Although they can be embarrassing to talk about, anyone can get hemorrhoids, even healthy young people in good shape. They can be painful and annoying but aren’t usually serious. Hemorrhoids differ depending on their location and the amount of pain, discomfort, or aggravation they cause.
Internal hemorrhoids are located up inside the rectum. They rarely cause any pain, as this tissue doesn’t have any sensory nerves. These hemorrhoids are graded for severity according to how far and how often they protrude into the anal passage or protrude out of the anus (prolapse):
External hemorrhoids develop under the skin just inside the opening of the anus. The hemorrhoids may swell and the area around it may become firm and sore, turning blue or purple in colour when they get thrombosed. A thrombosed hemorrhoid is one that has formed a clot inside. This clot is not dangerous and will not spread through the body, but does cause pain and should be drained. External hemorrhoids may itch and can be very painful, especially during a bowel movement. They can also prolapse.
Hemorrhoids are caused by repeated or constant pressure on the rectal or anal veins. The most common cause of pressure usually results from straining or prolonged sitting during a bowel movement. Other factors that increase the risk for getting hemorrhoids include constipation, diarrhea, lifting heavy objects, poor posture, prolonged sitting or standing, pregnancy, and being overweight. Liver damage and some food allergies can also add stress to the rectal veins.
A high-fibre diet with large amounts of water is the answer for grade I internal hemorrhoids and painless external hemorrhoids. This will soften the stool, decreasing constipation and straining. It will also allow the inflamed veins to decrease in size. There are also a number of creams, ointments, suppositories, and wipes available without prescription that can help reduce pain and inflammation around the anus. Some of these include topical hemorrhoidal preparations applied to the affected area that contain local anesthetics with soothing properties. Your pharmacist can help you choose a preparation that is appropriate for your circumstances. Prescription medications can include anti-inflammatory cortisone creams.
Other useful measures include stool softeners or bulking agents to help prevent constipation. A sitz bath, used 3 or 4 times daily for 15 minutes at a time, can help to soothe symptoms. A sitz bath is a container filled with warm water that fits over a toilet bowl. Ice packs alternated with warm packs on the affected area can help dissolve a blood clot in an external hemorrhoid.
Pain relievers such as acetaminophen or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to alleviate the pain of an external hemorrhoid.
More severe hemorrhoids may require a doctor’s intervention. External hemorrhoids can be removed or drained with local anaesthetic and a scalpel by a doctor if they have developed a clot within the previous 72 hours.
Internal hemorrhoids, depending on the hemorrhoid grade, may require procedures that can either be done in the doctor’s office or require an operation. Sometimes, a hardening agent is injected into internal hemorrhoids to make them smaller and firmer. Grade I through III internal hemorrhoids may be tied off with a rubber band via rubber band ligation. This stops the blood flow and the hemorrhoids eventually die and drop off within 5 to 7 days. Electricity, lasers, heat, cold, or infrared light are also used to destroy hemorrhoids. These procedures can involve some discomfort.
A hemorrhoidectomy is a type of surgery done under anesthesia. It involves complete removal of internal hemorrhoids. It’s reserved for severe cases where other treatments have failed or can’t be tolerated. Hemorrhoidectomy has the lowest rate of recurrence (hemorrhoids coming back) but has the highest rate of post-surgery pain.
Here are a few tips on preventing hemorrhoids:
All material copyright MediResource Inc. 1996 – 2026. Terms and conditions of use. The contents herein are for informational purposes only. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Source: www.medbroadcast.com/condition/getcondition/Hemorrhoids
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