Hemorrhoids

Internal and external hemorrhoids

There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external

Internal hemorrhoids symptoms

Internal hemorrhoids are located in the rectum where it’s impossible to see or feel them. Because the rectum has few pain receptors, internal hemorrhoids don’t usually cause pain. Bleedings are often the only symptom.

Sometimes internal hemorrhoids prolapse or become bigger, ultimately protruding the anal sphincter. When this happens, the hemorrhoids start to show as little moist cushions which are pinker than the surrounding skin. Protruded hemorrhoids can be painful as the anus does have a considerable amount of pain receptors. Protruded hemorrhoids usually recede by themselves. In case they don’t, they can sometimes be pushed back carefully.

External hemorrhoids symptoms

External hemorrhoids are located in the anus and are usually painful. When an external hemorrhoid protrudes, it can be clearly seen and felt. Sometimes blood clots will formed in prolapsed, external hemorrhoids, causing a particularly painful affliction called hemorrhoid thrombosis. Nevertheless, thrombosed hemorrhoids are usually harmless and are likely disappear within a few weeks. When the pain becomes unbearable, however, removing the hemorrhoid may be recommended.

Swollen blood vessels can have several causes. Hemorrhoids may form due to extreme abdominal pressure caused by obesity, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods of time, coughing, sneezing or vomiting. A high-fiber diet can reduce the risk of getting hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoid treatment

Hemorrhoids will never fully disappear unless they are surgically removed. A high-fiber diet is often recommended. If the pain persists, the following treatments are advised:

• Injection: an internal hemorrhoid is injected with a solution creating a scar sealing off the hemorrhoid.
• Protruded hemorrhoids are often removed with a rubber band-ligation. A small rubber band is strung around the hemorrhoid, blocking the blood supply. This will cause the hemorrhoid to starve within a week.
• Cauterization: the end of the hemorrhoid is cauterized using an electric needle, a laser or infrared light.
• Surgery: large internal hemorrhoids or painful external hemorrhoids may call for a hemorrhoidectomy. This type of surgery involves making incisions around the anus to remove the hemorrhoids. It can be performed under local or general anesthesia.
• Finally, surgeons may use a stapler-like instrument to close off blood supply to the hemorrhoid. This procedure relocates the hemorrhoid higher up in the anus where there are fewer nerve ends, ultimately making the affliction become less painful. Advantages to this procedure are: 1) less pain, 2) faster recovery, 3) less bleeding and itching and 4) less risk of complications.

The treatments above are proved to be highly effective. Please note that patients must adopt a high-fiber diet to prevent the hemorrhoids from returning.