Internal Vs External Hemorrhoids
In a sense, every person has hemorrhoids. These normal structures are present in the lowest segment of the rectum and anus. These clusters of veins lie beneath the mucous membranes and are not considered an issue until they become enlarged. This is why the more appropriate way to describe this issue is swollen hemorrhoids, or piles.
Hemorrhoids can be internal or external. These types present themselves in different ways, so it might not always be possible to notice them. Lets take a look at the differences between them.
What Are Hemorrhoids Exactly
Hemorrhoids, a.k.a. piles, are swollen, inflamed veins around the anus or lower rectum, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine. And you’re not weird if you ’em. Not at all.
Hemorrhoids are normal anatomy, like having hands, says Jeffery Nelson, M.D., a colorectal surgeon and surgical director of The Center for Inflammatory Bowel and Colorectal Diseases at Mercy Medical Center in Baltimore. Everyone has hemorrhoidal tissue.
There are two types: Internal hemorrhoids form in the lining of the anus and lower rectum, while external hemorrhoids form under the skin around the anus, per the NIDDK.
Signs Of Hemorrhoids In Pregnancy
Pregnancy creates more pressure in the abdomen than usual, which can cause vascular tissue in the rectum and anus to swell. Hemorrhoids are common in the third trimester of pregnancy and around a third of pregnant people experience them. It is also common to develop hemorrhoids during childbirth.
Hemorrhoids in pregnancy develop the same way as non-pregnancy hemorrhoids and can be internal, external or become thrombosed. Most cases of hemorrhoids in pregnancy resolve after birth.
Don’t Miss: What Causes Hemorrhoids In Women
What Do External Hemorrhoids Look Like
Hemorrhoids, often referred to as piles, get their name from the Greek word haimorrhoides. If you do hear someone talking about piles, just know that piles and hemorrhoids refer to the same thing.
This means veins that are liable to discharge blood. Do external hemorrhoids go away? Yes, in most cases, they’ll go away in a few days and won’t require any medical treatment.
External hemorrhoids, unlike internal ones, are noticeable to the human eye. They are located underneath the skin that surrounds the anus.
When external hemorrhoids swell, they can be visible. When an external hemorrhoid becomes swollen, it will prolapse to the outside of the anus and can then be seen or felt.
External hemorrhoids appear as clumps of dilated blood vessels outside the opening of the anus.
When hemorrhoids swell, the veins enlarge, and their walls become stretched, causing the swollen bulges we see in external hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids appear in bunches as soft lumps. They are generally soft or squishy to touch and can range in size. Witch hazel is often used for external hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids can be as small as a pea and as large as a grape. There is a mucus covering on hemorrhoids that can become damaged during bowel movements.
This is when bleeding external hemorrhoids occur.
External hemorrhoids that become thrombosed may appear different as explained in the next section.
You may experience serious hemorrhoid pain with a thrombosis.
Various Grades Of Hemorrhoids
There are generally four grades of it which are as follows
Related Article: How Many Calories Are in a Pound?
Read Also: What To Do For Hemorrhoids After Birth
What Shrinks Hemorrhoids Fast
Home remediesEat high-fiber foods. Eat more fruits, vegetables and whole grains. Use topical treatments. Apply an over-the-counter hemorrhoid cream or suppository containing hydrocortisone, or use pads containing witch hazel or a numbing agent.Soak regularly in a warm bath or sitz bath. Take oral pain relievers.Jul 3, 2019
Can Natural Home Remedies Treat And Prevent Hemorrhoids
Regardless of the size or swelling of a hemorrhoid, no treatment is required if symptoms do not exist. Prevention is perhaps the most effective treatment. Diet and adequate hydration are very important to maintain normal bowel movements. Hemorrhoid symptoms can occur with the passage of hard stool and constipation, as well as diarrhea and frequent bowel movements. People with constipation may require a high-fiber diet, adequate hydration, and stool softeners. Those with too frequent bowel movements may require antidiarrheal medications and diet adjustments. These preventive measures decrease the amount of straining that is required to have a bowel movement, thus decreasing the pressure within the blood vessels to prevent swelling. The internal hemorrhoid always stays protruded or prolapsed and is at risk for thrombosis or strangulation should the anal muscles go into spasm.
Grade 1 hemorrhoids are treated symptomatically. There can be some spasm of the anal muscles. Warm sitz baths, sitting in a warm tub for 20 minutes, two or three times a day may be helpful. Avoiding spicy food may also prevent anal itching. Over-the-counter medications may be helpful.
Also Check: How Can You Remove Hemorrhoids
S Of Pregnancy Hemorrhoids
There are a lot of cases when hemorrhoids during pregnancy are mainly caused by natural constipation. Without timely treatment, a large problem may occur after the birth. Piles during pregnancy can be caused by the fetus position. The larger it gets and the lower is its location, the stronger pressure it puts on the rectum. This causes stagnation of blood and formation of piles. Hemorrhoids in young girls in puberty most often can manifest during pregnancy as well.
How Do I Get Rid Of A Hard Hemorrhoid
Treatment
Read Also: What Is The Remedy For Hemorrhoids
What Do They Feel Like
Internal hemorrhoids lack nerve endings, and do not feel like the external hemorrhoids when problematic symptoms arise. Without the same abundant nerve endings, inflamed internal hemorrhoids cant feel like external hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids are abundant in nerve endings, and when inflamed can feel quite painful.
Thrombosis can occur with external hemorrhoids. A thrombosed hemorrhoid will feel like a very painful swollen lump and look like a purple grape. This feeling of pain in the hemorrhoid will occur when external hemorrhoids rupture. Blood leaks out of the external hemorrhoid vein and clots under the thick anal skin, causing thrombosis. When thrombosed, external hemorrhoids feel painful and itchy but usually do not bleed unless the clot ruptures. External hemorrhoids can also feel swollen and uncomfortable without thrombosis.
Internal hemorrhoids can also rupture, but when internal hemorrhoids rupture, people usually do not feel pain like with external hemorrhoid rupture. The anal lining covering the internal hemorrhoid is too weak to hold, so the blood leaks out of the anus. Since the lining lacks nerve endings, internal hemorrhoid rupture does not feel like the pain of an external hemorrhoid rupture.
What Is Inside A Hemorrhoid
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectum or anus. Internal hemorrhoids form inside the rectum and are usually painless, but they may still bleed. External hemorrhoids develop around the anus and tend to be more painful. They can cause itching and bleeding, and they often make bowel movements uncomfortable.
You May Like: Is Aloe Vera Good For Hemorrhoids
What Do You Do If A Hemorrhoid Is Bleeding
If you experience any rectal bleeding, then it is time to inform your doctor. While there is a good chance that it is from your hemorrhoids, it can also be a sign of something else in your body.
If your doctor determines that the bleeding is in fact from hemorrhoids, then it will likely subside within days, but you may need to address your diet and toilet habits in the meantime.
What Makes Piles More Likely
There are certain situations that increase the chance of piles developing:
- Constipation, passing large stools , and straining at the toilet. These increase the pressure in and around the veins in the anus and seem to be a common reason for piles to develop.
- Being overweight. This increases your risk of developing piles.
- Pregnancy. Piles are common during pregnancy. This is probably due to pressure effects of the baby lying above the rectum and anus, and also the affect that the change in hormones during pregnancy can have on the veins. Piles occurring during pregnancy often go away after the birth of the child.
- Ageing. The tissues in the lining of the anus may become less supportive as we become older.
- Hereditary factors. Some people may inherit a weakness of the wall of the veins in the anal region.
- Other possible causes of piles include heavy lifting or a persistent cough.
Don’t Miss: What Doctor Removes External Hemorrhoids
External Hemorrhoids In Females On Pictures
External hemorrhoids in females differs by protrusion of the piles and their falling out, which causes additional stretching of the skin. Piles can be of different size. External piles in females greatly complicate the process of sitting. Falling out, tissues are swollen, their color depends on the stage of external hemorrhoids in women. Symptoms of female piles and symptoms of piles in male have no major differences. The disease of external hemorrhoids in females increases the risk of infection.
What Does A Thrombosed Hemorrhoid Look Like
Thrombosed hemorrhoids are a form of external hemorrhoid that are visible. When external hemorrhoids become prolapsed, they form soft clumps around the outside of the opening of the anus.
In some cases, external hemorrhoids could form a blood clot. These can be extremely painful and are called a thrombosis.
Thrombosed hemorrhoids can be frightening. They can form into a hard lump and can turn purple or blue. They may also bleed.
Most thrombosed hemorrhoids appear as a lump on the edge of the opening of the anus and protrude out.
They appear in a dark bluish color because of the blood clot that is contained inside the swollen vessel.
When thrombosed hemorrhoids are treated medically, a hemorrhoid surgery is typically involved.
A healed thrombosed hemorrhoid may leave behind scarring or a tag of skin protruding from the anus.
You May Like: How To Treat And Prevent Hemorrhoids
How Do Foods Influence Hemorrhoids Diet
Diet is believed to have a big impact in causingand preventinghemorrhoids. People who consistently eat a high-fiber diet are less likely to get hemorrhoids, while those people who prefer a diet high in processed foods face a higher hemorrhoid risk.
A low-fiber diet can leave you constipated, which can contribute to hemorrhoids in two way. For one, it promotes straining on the toilet. It also aggravates the hemorrhoids by producing hard stools that further irritate the swollen veins.
What Internal And External Hemorrhoids Look Like
External hemorrhoids can be described as any of the following:
- Soft lumps that appear in bunches around the anus.
- A hard, red lump protruding from the outside of the anal area.
- Mucus-covered bumps.
- Bumps that secrete blood when wiped with toilet paper.
If you notice external hemorrhoids, you probably have internal hemorrhoids as well . Internal hemorrhoids fall into one of four categories based on the severity and the degree of prolapse .
The Most Common Visual Symptom of Hemorrhoids is Piles
The reason these bumps, or piles, form in the first place is because the veins in or around the anal canal have become swollen. The more swollen the hemorrhoids become, and the longer they are left untreated, the worse they can get. They might start out as bunches of soft lumps and eventually turn into hard, painful piles. Below are images of a number of external hemorrhoid cases, ranging from minor to serious:
If you think you have hemorrhoids whether due to pain or an itchy sensation contact one of our CRH partner doctors today. With one quick visit, the doctor will be able to tell you whether or not you have hemorrhoids and prescribe a course of treatment. Contact a physician near you today.
Read Also: What To Do To Heal Hemorrhoids
What To Do For A Bleeding Hemorrhoid
Home treatmentTake a sitz bath. This involves soaking your anal area in a few inches of warm water. Use moist wipes. Toilet paper can be rough and irritating to external hemorrhoids. Use a cold pack. Avoid straining or sitting on the toilet for long periods of time. Use an over-the-counter product.Aug 28, 2018
Whats The Best Way To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids
There are a few remedies you can try to treat hemorrhoids at home, Dr. Bedford says. First, eating a high-fiber diet, exercising regularly, and drinking plenty of liquids can help make your poop softer and move it along more easily, so it doesnt cause extra irritation to your hemorrhoids. Avoiding sitting for long periods of time can also minimize discomfort.
Taking a sitz bath for 20 minutes a night for a week or two will also help keep the anal area clean, reduce inflammation, and generally make you feel more comfortable. Simply sit in a bathtub filled with 3 to 4 inches of warm water or buy a plastic tub that holds the water and fits over your toilet seat.
If youre still having trouble, there are over-the-counter hemorrhoid creams and ointments that can help, like Preparation H. These can help decrease inflammation and help shrivel up or shrink hemorrhoids, Dr. Bedford says. If that doesnt do the trick, your doctor may recommend a prescription cream or suppository to try to fix the situation.
Don’t Miss: What Do Hemorrhoids Look Like
What Do Hemorrhoids Look Like On A Woman
Hemorrhoids do not look any different on women than they do on men.
External hemorrhoids are still flesh-colored sacs of inflamed blood vessels, some darker than others.
This cluster of lumps forms around the anal opening and can range in size, from grape-sized to the size of a golf ball.
The skin stretches tightly over the most inflamed and irritated part of the hemorrhoids and can become loose near the outer region.
A thrombosed hemorrhoid appears bluish or purple, signifying the blood trapped beneath the skin’s surface.
When burst open, thrombosed hemorrhoids can be an intense red with visible bleeding.
Prolapsed hemorrhoids can be flesh-colored or various shades of red, usually coated in mucous or other body fluids.
When Should I See A Doctor
See a healthcare professional if you start to notice pain and discomfort around your anus, especially when you sit or have a bowel movement.
Seek emergency medical attention if your symptoms worsen suddenly, especially if theyre interfering with your daily activities. Here are symptoms to watch out for:
Recommended Reading: Does Alcohol Make Hemorrhoids Worse
When Should You See A Doctor For Hemorrhoids
If youre ever concerned about your hemorrhoids or youre not sure whats happening down there, you should call your doctor, Dr. Nelson says, especially if youve had symptoms for more than a week.
Your doctor will likely recommend that you use medication first but, if that doesnt help, there are other treatment options available like:
- Rubber band ligation, where a doctor essentially cuts off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid with a rubber band
- Sclerotherapy, in which a doctor injects a solution into a hemorrhoid, cutting off the blood supply
- Infrared photocoagulation, which uses infrared light to cut off the blood supply
- Electrocoagulation, which uses an electric current to cut off the blood supply
- Surgical removal, in more severe cases
Like what you just read? Youll love our magazine! Go here to subscribe. Dont miss a thing by downloading Apple News here and following Prevention. Oh, .
Symptoms Of Thrombosed External Hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids can be felt as bulges at the anus, but they usually cause few of the symptoms that are typical of internal hemorrhoids.
External hemorrhoids can cause problems, however, when blood clots inside them. This is referred to as thrombosis. Thrombosis of such a hemorrhoid causes an anal lump that is
- very painful,
- tender, and
- often requires medical attention.
The thrombosed hemorrhoid may heal with scarring, and leave a tag of skin protruding in the anus. Occasionally, the tag is large, which can make anal hygiene difficult or irritate the anus. Even after such a hemorrhoid goes away, a residual skin tag may remain, and this may need to be surgically removed.
Recommended Reading: When Do You Need Surgery For Hemorrhoids
Severe Hemorrhoids Vs Mild Hemorrhoids: Stages
Many physicians use a grading system to categorize hemorrhoids along four stages:
- First-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that bleed, but do not prolapse. These are slightly enlarged hemorrhoids, but they do not protrude outside the anus.
- Second-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and retract on their own . These may come out of the anus during certain activities like passing stool, and then return back inside the body.
- Third-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and must be pushed back in by a finger.
- Fourth-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that prolapse and cannot be pushed back in the anal canal. Fourth-degree hemorrhoids also include hemorrhoids that are thrombosed or that pull much of the lining of the rectum through the anus.
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.
You May Like: What To Do For Internal Hemorrhoids