Hemorrhoids (patient information)
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Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]; Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Mohammed A. Sbeih, M.D.[2] Phone:617-849-2629
Overview
Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins around the anus or in the lower rectum. The rectum is the last part of the large intestine leading to the anus. The anus is the opening at the end of the digestive tract where bowel contents leave the body. External hemorrhoids are located under the skin around the anus. Internal hemorrhoids develop in the lower rectum. Internal hemorrhoids may protrude, or prolapse, through the anus. Most prolapsed hemorrhoids shrink back inside the rectum on their own. Severely prolapsed hemorrhoids may protrude permanently and require treatment.
What are the symptoms of Hemorrhoids?
The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood on stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement. Internal hemorrhoids that are not prolapsed are usually not painful. Prolapsed hemorrhoids often cause pain, discomfort, and anal itching. Blood clots may form in external hemorrhoids. A blood clot in a vein is called a thrombosis. k external hemorrhoids cause bleeding, painful swelling, or a hard lump around the anus. When the blood clot dissolves, extra skin is left behind. This skin can become irritated or itch. Excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus may make symptoms, such as itching and irritation, worse. Hemorrhoids are not dangerous or life threatening. Symptoms usually go away within a few days, and some people with hemorrhoids never have symptoms.
What causes Hemorrhoids?
Swelling in the anal or rectal veins causes hemorrhoids. Several factors may cause this swelling, including:
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Straining during bowel movements
- Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
- A lack of fiber in the diet
Another cause of hemorrhoids is the weakening of the connective tissue in the rectum and anus that occurs with age. Pregnancy can cause hemorrhoids by increasing pressure in the abdomen, which may enlarge the veins in the lower rectum and anus. For most women, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy disappear after childbirth.
Who is at highest risk?
Risk factors of hemorrhoids include:
- Straining to move stool or other poor bowel habits such as sitting for long periods
- Sitting or standing for long periods of time
- Pregnancy
- Aging
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Anal intercourse
- Obesity
- High-fat, low-fiber diet.
Diagnosis
The doctor will examine the anus and rectum to determine whether a person has hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoid symptoms are similar to the symptoms of other anorectal problems, such as fissures, abscesses, warts, and polyps. The doctor will perform a physical exam to look for visible hemorrhoids. A digital rectal exam with a gloved, lubricated finger and an anoscope—a hollow, lighted tube—may be performed to view the rectum. A thorough evaluation and proper diagnosis by a doctor are important any time a person notices bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool. Bleeding may be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer. Additional exams may be done to rule out other causes of bleeding, especially in people age 40 or older:
- Colonoscopy: A flexible, lighted tube called a colonoscope is inserted through the anus, the rectum, and the upper part of the large intestine, called the colon. The colonoscope transmits images of the inside of the rectum and the entire colon.
- Sigmoidoscopy: This procedure is similar to colonoscopy, but it uses a shorter tube called a sigmoidoscope and transmits images of the rectum and the sigmoid colon, the lower portion of the colon that empties into the rectum.
- Barium enema x ray: A contrast material called barium is inserted into the colon to make the colon more visible in x-ray pictures.
When to seek urgent medical care?
Call your health care provider if symptoms worsen or do not improve with lifestyle changes or medication.
Also, call for any of the following symptoms:
Treatment options
At-home Treatment Simple diet and lifestyle changes often reduce the swelling of hemorrhoids and relieve hemorrhoid symptoms. Eating a high-fiber diet can make stools softer and easier to pass, reducing the pressure on hemorrhoids caused by straining. Fiber is a substance found in plants. The human body cannot digest fiber, but fiber helps improve digestion and prevent constipation. Good sources of dietary fiber are fruits, vegetables, and whole grains. On average, Americans eat about 15 grams of fiber each day. The American Dietetic Association recommends 25 grams of fiber per day for women and 38 grams of fiber per day for men. Doctors may also suggest taking a bulk stool softener or a fiber supplement such as psyllium (Metamucil) or methylcellulose (Citrucel). Other changes that may help relieve hemorrhoid symptoms include
- Drinking six to eight 8-ounce glasses of water or other nonalcoholic fluids each day
- Sitting in a tub of warm water for 10 minutes several times a day
- Exercising to prevent constipation
- Not straining during bowel movements
Over-the-counter creams and suppositories may temporarily relieve the pain and itching of hemorrhoids. These treatments should only be used for a short time because long-term use can damage the skin. If at-home treatments do not relieve symptoms, medical treatments may be needed. Outpatient treatments can be performed in a doctor’s office or a hospital. Outpatient treatments for internal hemorrhoids include the following:
- Rubber band ligation: The doctor places a special rubber band around the base of the the hemorrhoid. The band cuts off circulation, causing the hemorrhoid to shrink. This procedure should be performed only by a doctor.
- Sclerotherapy: The doctor injects a chemical solution into the blood vessel to shrink the hemorrhoid.
- Infrared coagulation: The doctor uses heat to shrink the hemorrhoid tissue.
Large external hemorrhoids or internal hemorrhoids that do not respond to other treatments can be surgically removed. [1]
What foods have fiber?
Examples of foods that have fiber include Breads, cereals, and beansFiber 1/2 cup of navy beans 9.5 grams 1/2 cup of kidney beans 8.2 grams 1/2 cup of black beans 7.5 grams
Whole-grain cereal, cold 1/2 cup of All-Bran9.6 grams 3/4 cup of Total2.4 grams 3/4 cup of Post Bran Flakes5.3 grams 1 packet of whole-grain cereal, hot3.0 grams (oatmeal, Wheatena) 1 whole-wheat English muffin4.4 grams
Fruits 1 medium apple, with skin3.3 grams 1 medium pear, with skin4.3 grams 1/2 cup of raspberries4.0 grams 1/2 cup of stewed prunes3.8 grams
Vegetables 1/2 cup of winter squash2.9 grams 1 medium sweet potato with skin4.8 grams 1/2 cup of green peas4.4 grams 1 medium potato with skin3.8 grams 1/2 cup of mixed vegetables4.0 grams 1 cup of cauliflower2.5 grams 1/2 cup of spinach3.5 grams 1/2 cup of turnip greens2.5 grams
Source: U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2005.
Diseases with similar symptoms
- Anal fissure
- Anal abscess
- Anogenital warts (condyloma acuminata)
- Anal fistula
- Rectal polyps
- Rectal prolapse
Where to find medical care for Hemorrhoids?
Directions to Hospitals Treating hemorrhoids
Prevention
Eating a high-fiber diet can make stools softer and easier to pass, reducing the pressure on hemorrhoids caused by straining.
What to expect (Outlook/Prognosis)?
Hemorrhoids are not dangerous, and only need to be treated if they cause very bothersome symptoms. If hemorrhoids occur during pregnancy, they will usually regress spontaneously after childbirth. For hemorrhoids related to constipation, the prognosis is also good, provided you make the necessary changes to your diet and lifestyle. For hemorrhoids that cause persistent symptoms despite nonsurgical treatment, the results from office treatment or surgery are usually very good.