What Causes External Hemorrhoids
The most common cause of external hemorrhoids is repeated straining while having a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids develop when the veins of the rectum or anus become dilated or enlarged and can be either internal or external. External hemorrhoids are usually found beneath the skin that surrounds the anus.
There is a range of symptoms that can affect a person with hemorrhoids. Symptoms tend to vary depending on the severity of your hemorrhoids. Some of the symptoms that you may have include the following:
- itching around the anus or rectal area
- pain around the anus
- blood in the stool
You may notice bleeding when using the bathroom. This includes seeing blood on toilet paper or in the toilet. Lumps around the anus may feel as if they are swollen.
These symptoms may also occur because of other conditions. But if you experience these symptoms, you should schedule an exam with your doctor.
When To Call A Doctor
Common symptoms of hemorrhoids may be a sign of other serious health problems. Colon or rectal cancer and other conditions have many of the same symptoms as hemorrhoids. Call your doctor if you have symptoms like these:
- Stools are black or tarry or change size and shape.
- A lump or bulge that isn’t tender and that doesn’t go away forms at the anal opening.
- Rectal bleeding becomes heavy or changes color .
If you have hemorrhoids, call your doctor if:
- Moderate rectal pain lasts longer than 1 week after home treatment.
- Pain or swelling is severe.
- Tissue from inside the body bulges from the anus and does not return to normal after 3 to 7 days of home treatment.
- A lump inside the anus gets bigger or more painful.
Signs Of Thrombosed Hemorrhoids
A thrombosed hemorrhoid is a hemorrhoid that has developed a blood clot inside. This can happen to both external and internal hemorrhoids. Signs and symptoms of a thrombosed hemorrhoid include:]
- Sudden onset of pain
- Constant pain following sudden onset of pain
Thrombosed hemorrhoids have the following characteristics:
- Blue or purple in color
- A lump or bulge
A thrombosed hemorrhoid will often hurt, but are not generally dangerous.
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When To Seek Medical Advice For Hemorrhoids
Lumps around the rectum and anus, and bleeding from the rectum and anus should be examined by a doctor to rule out more serious conditions.
If hemorrhoids become painful, or cause discomfort or distress, seek medical advice. Many people wait a long time before consulting a doctor, possibly due to embarrassment. Early intervention can ease discomfort. There are various ways to treat hemorrhoids, many of which are painless and/or more successful the earlier the treatment is started.
Crh Oregan: Fast And Painless Treatment For Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids may go unnoticed at first, but they can worsen and start to cause problems. You may need a long-term solution to resolve the issue. If youre interested in removing your internal hemorrhoids in a way that is both effective and exceptionally comfortable, find a physician near you who can offer the CRH ORegan System for hemorrhoid banding.
Heal Your Hemorrhoids
Also Check: How To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids Over The Counter
When Should You See A Doctor For A Hemorrhoid
Know When to See Your Doctor If youre experiencing any type of rectal bleeding. If the hemorrhoids are causing you pain or discomfort. If the problems persist despite trying over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams or other remedies. If youre passing stools that look maroon in color or tarry in color, a sign of bleeding.
Pain After Hemorrhoid Treatment
It is common to experience pain in the week following hemorrhoid treatment. Patients who have a hemorrhoidectomy, or surgery to remove hemorrhoids, will typically have more pain than a patient who elects to have sclerotherapy, a less invasive treatment. Hemorrhoid banding, an outpatient procedure, typically leads to minimal discomfort after treatments.
Depending on the type of procedure you choose, your pain may be significant or you may simply feel discomfort. The level of pain a patient experiences after this procedure relates directly to the type of procedure, how severe the hemorrhoids were prior to surgery, and the consistency of stool during bowel movements during the recovery period.
A surgery to treat a single small hemorrhoid using sclerotherapy may result in minor pain. A hemorrhoidectomy to remove multiple very large hemorrhoids may result in significant pain.
Regardless of the type of treatment, it is normal to have pain with a bowel movement in the week following surgery. Straining and pushing can make the pain significantly worse.
Also Check: How To Remove Hemorrhoids At Home
What Are The Signs And Symptoms Of An External Or Thrombosed Hemorrhoid
Thrombosed external hemorrhoids are a painful condition. These occurs when a blood clot develops in a hemorrhoidal blood vessel causing swelling and inflammation.
- When a blood clot occurs in a hemorrhoid, the hemorrhoid will become even more swollen. This swelling leads to increased pain.
- The pain is usually worse with bowel movements and may increase with sitting.
A thrombosed external hemorrhoid may resolve on its own however, this condition often needs medical care. Bleeding with a bowel movement is never normal and should prompt a visit to a health-care professional. While hemorrhoids are the most common cause of bleeding with a bowel movement, there may be other reasons for bleeding including inflammatory bowel disease, infection, and tumors.
Bad Smell Around The Anus
Hemorrhoids can cause feces and mucus to leak out of the anus, which may lead to a foul smell. There may also be other causes for this though, among them:
Anal fistula or anal abscess
An anal fistula can result in a bad smelling discharge from the anus. Another symptom of anal fistula is a mild, intermittent pain around the anus. A constant, throbbing pain that is even more pronounced when sitting down, having a bowel movement or when coughing can be the result of an anal abscess that often precedes an anal fistula.
Proctitis and anusitis
Proctitis and anusitis are conditions where the rectum and anus become inflamed. These conditions can cause bad-smelling discharge. Someone with these conditions will also likely experience a frequent urge to have a bowel movement, pain and a feeling a fullness in the rectum.
Fecal incontinence and anal cancer
A bad smell could be caused by fecal incontinence, which can be a sign of anal cancer. Seek prompt medical attention in all cases where anal cancer is suspected.
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When Should I Worry About Hemorrhoids
Lets say youve waited it out and tried home remedies to no avail. If your hemorrhoids are still bothering you after several days, it may be time to seek out a medical professional.
Your doctor will check to make sure youre actually experiencing hemorrhoids and not something else like a digestive disorder, inflammation of the colon, intestinal bleeding or colon cancer.
If its really just pesky piles that refuse to go away, you can ask about minimally invasive options to help them resolve more quickly. The most common of these procedures is a rubber band ligation, where a rubber band is placed around an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its circulation, but other choices range from an injection to use of an infrared light.
With the right amount of care, hopefully youll be back to your regularly scheduled programming in no time.
Although Hemorrhoids And Colon Cancer Are Two Very Different Conditions They Can Share Similar Symptoms This Guide Will Help You Learn About The Different Signs
Noticing blood in your stool for the first time is understandably alarming. The good news is that its likely that blood in your stool is an indication of hemorrhoids, which while not much fun, arent generally a serious medical condition.
Hemorrhoids are actually swollen veins located in the anus and rectum area, and theyre quite common: Approximately half of all adults experience hemorrhoids by the age of 50. They can be internal or external , and symptoms can range from no or mild discomfort to significant pain, itchiness and bleeding.
While the exact cause of hemorrhoids is unknown, theyre most likely to occur when theres an increase in pressure in the area, such as when you strain to have a bowel movement, for example. Theyre more likely to occur during pregnancy, aging, sitting for long periods of time, chronic constipation or diarrhea, straining or lifting heavy objects.
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Discomfort Itching And Irritation In The Anal Region
Theres really no reason to try and live with your hemorrhoids until the pain becomes severe enough to disrupt your life. Many effective nonsurgical treatments exist that can resolve your hemorrhoids, including:
Infrared coagulation
The highly effective IRC method utilizes infrared light delivered via a small probe to painlessly coagulate the blood vessels supplying your hemorrhoid. As the blood flow is blocked, the enlarged hemorrhoidal tissue shrinks and your symptoms resolve.
Rubber band ligation
This method also blocks blood flow to the hemorrhoidal tissue, which eventually causes the hemorrhoid to wither and die. Its admittedly more painful overall than IRC and may cause bleeding, but it remains an effective, nonsurgical solution for treating hemorrhoids.
You can rely on Dr. Clemens to focus first on diagnosing your condition correctly and then recommending the most conservative and effective hemorrhoid treatment available, including tips that help prevent hemorrhoids from recurring. Schedule your appointment today at Midwest Hemorrhoid Treatment Center.
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When To Call Your Doctor
Even if you think it’s from hemorrhoids, you should call your doctor about any rectal bleeding. It’s also a symptom of colon polyps, colitis, Crohn’s disease, diverticulitis, and colorectal cancer. Anal fissures can also cause pain and bleeding. So you’ll want to make sure you get the right diagnosis and treatment.
If your hemorrhoids are very painful or aren’t getting better after you’ve tried treating them yourself, let your doctor know.
Read Also: What To Do If You Think You Have Hemorrhoids
What Should I Eat If I Have Hemorrhoids Diet
Individuals with hemorrhoids should soften their stools by increasing the fiber in their diets.
Fiber is found in numerous foods, including
- fresh and dried fruits,
- whole grains, and
- cereals.
In general, 20 to 30 grams of fiber per day is recommended, whereas the average American diet contains less than 15 grams of fiber. Fiber supplements, like psyllium, methylcellulose, and calcium polycarbophil, also may be used to increase the intake of fiber.
Stool softeners and increased drinking of liquids also may be recommended, as well as bulk-forming laxatives. Nevertheless, the benefits of fiber, liquids, and stool softeners have not been well-tested with respect to hemorrhoidal control in scientific studies.
What Medications And Other Products Treat Hemorrhoids
Medications are used to control symptoms by softening the stool, decreasing the inflammation of the hemorrhoids, and treating the pain. Stool softeners work by increasing the water and fat content within the stool allowing it to be passed more easily. Docusate sodium is the most often recommended drug in this class .
Inflammation can be controlled with over-the-counter creams or suppositories. Some brand ingredients include low dose topical anesthetics to help with symptoms. Others contain astringents that help shrink the swollen tissues. Both may contain low dose steroids to decrease inflammation. People with diabetes should check with their pharmacist or health care professional before using OTC hemorrhoid treatments. If the medication contains a vasoconstrictor it may elevate blood sugar levels if absorbed in large amounts. Prescription-strength lidocaine or hydrocortisone may be offered by the health care professional.
Grade 2 and 3 hemorrhoids are initially treated the same way, using techniques to destroy hemorrhoids. These include injecting the hemorrhoid vein to make it sclerose or harden, using rubber bands to choke off the blood supply and make the hemorrhoidal tissue shrivel, or other procedures that cause the mucosa to shrivel and die.
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Signs Of Hemorrhoids Faqs
Q: Do I have hemorrhoids or cancer?A: Hemorrhoids, anal cancer and colorectal cancer can cause bleeding, with bright red blood. Other signs of colorectal cancer include:
- Dark red blood in feces
- Changes in bowel habits, such as having diarrhea or being constipated
- A feeling of needing a bowel movement that does not go away after having one
- Unexplained weight loss
- Tiredness or feeling weaker than normal
- Pain from gas, bloating, cramps or a feeling of being full
Other signs of anal cancer include:
- Pain around the anus
- Itching around the anus, i.e., pruritus ani
- A lump near the anus
- Mucus discharge
- Changes in bowel habits, such as having diarrhea
If a person suspects they may have cancer, they should see a medical professional immediately.
Q: Are hemorrhoids supposed to bleed?A: It is normal for hemorrhoids to bleed with bright red blood. Bleeding from hemorrhoids will most often not be painful and is usually not dangerous. It is rare for someone to bleed excessively. However, bleeding from the rectum and anus can be a sign of colorectal or anal cancer and should be examined by a doctor, especially in cases where a person is not aware of a pre-existing problem, such as hemorrhoids.
Q: How can you avoid making your hemorrhoids flare up or getting worse?A.: Some of the following steps can make the symptoms of hemorrhoids less likely to persist:
How To Push Hemorrhoid Back In
To push the hemorrhoids back in you need a few things, a pair of latex gloves, a lubricant, an ice pack, a soft piece of wet cloth and soap, and some water.
Make sure you see the video about how to push hemorrhoids back in!
A few things to take note of when pushing back the hemorrhoid
Recurrence, hemorrhoids might come back out again, even after pushing them back in. This may happen every time after a bowel movement.
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What Are The Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids
Rectal cancer can cause many symptoms and signs that require a person to seek medical care. However, rectal cancer may also be present without any symptoms, underscoring the importance of routine health screening. Symptoms and signs to be aware of include the following:
- Bleeding
- Seeing blood mixed with stool is a sign to seek immediate medical care. Although many people bleed due to hemorrhoids, a doctor should still be notified in the event of rectal bleeding.
- Change in bowel habits
- Prolonged rectal bleeding may lead to anemia, causing fatigue, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, or a fast heartbeat.
- Bowel obstruction
- A rectal mass may grow so large that it prevents the normal passage of stool. This blockage may lead to the feeling of severe constipation or pain when having a bowel movement. In addition, abdominal pain, discomfort, or cramping may occur due to the blockage.
- The stool size may appear narrow so that it can be passed around the rectal mass. Therefore, pencil-thin or narrow stools may be another sign of an obstruction from rectal cancer.
- A person with rectal cancer may have a sensation that the stool cannot be completely evacuated after a bowel movement.
- Weight loss: Cancer may cause weight loss. Unexplained weight loss requires a medical evaluation.