Hemorrhoids are part of the anal canal and can become pathological or piles when swollen or inflamed.
Normally they act as cushions composed of arterio-venous channels and connective tissue that helps the passage of stool.
The symptoms of pathological hemorrhoids varies depending on the type.
Internal hemorrhoids is associated with painless rectal bleeding and external hemorrhoids is associated with pain in the anus area.
They both differ from their position to the dentate line.
External hemorrhoids External hemorrhoids occur outside the anal verge.
They are varicosities of the veins draining the territory of the inferior rectal arteries, which are branches of the internal pudendal artery.
Sometimes they can be painful and sometimes comes with swelling and irritation.
Lots of people think itching is a symptom of external haemorrhoids but is possibly due to skin irritation.
External hemorrhoids are prone to thrombosis: if the vein ruptures and/or a blood clot occurs it becomes a thrombosed hemorrhoid.
Internal hemorrhoids Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum.
They're varicosities of veins draining the territory of branches of the superior rectal arteries.
Internal hemorrhoids are usually not painful and most people are not aware that they have them because it take place in a area that lacks of pain receptors.
They may bleed when irritated and if untreated they can lead to 2 forms that are more severe; prolapsed and strangulated hemorrhoids.
Prolapsed hemorrhoids are so distended that they are pushed outside the anus.
Strangulated haemorrhoid occurs when the anal sphincter muscle goes into spasm and traps a prolapsed hemorrhoid outside the anal opening resulting in a cancellation of the blood supply.
Signs and symptoms Hemorrhoids are usually benign and symptoms will resolve within a few days.
The most common symptom is bright red blood covering the stool (hematochezia) and may protrude through the anus.
Others include painful swelling or lump around the anus, itching, bleeding and burning.
Causes There are many factors that may lead to the formations of hemorrhoids such as irregular bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), exercise, gravity, nutrition (low-fiber diet), increased intra-abdominal pressure (prolonged straining), pregnancy, genetics, absence of valves within the hemorrhoidal veins, aging, obesity, and sitting for long periods of time.
Prevention and treatment The best ways to prevent and treat hemorrhoids are to keep stools soft so they pass easily, empty bowels as soon as possible when needed, exercise, walking, increasing daily fiber from meals, lots of fluids to maintain hydration, NSAID analgesics, sitz baths, good nights sleep and natural remedies.
If these steps fails, surgery is the next best option available.
Diagnosis A visual examination of the anus and surrounding area may be able to diagnose external or prolapsed hemorrhoids.
A rectal exam may be performed to detect possible rectal tumors, polyps, enlarged prostate and abscesses.
This exam is made with an anoscopy, a hollow tube with a light attached at one end that allows doctors to see and the appropriate amount of sedation is needed for the pain.
Buy many anorectal problems like fissures, fistulae, abscesses, colorectal cancer, rectal varices and itching, diverticulosis, polyps have similar symptoms and may be incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids.
Normally they act as cushions composed of arterio-venous channels and connective tissue that helps the passage of stool.
The symptoms of pathological hemorrhoids varies depending on the type.
Internal hemorrhoids is associated with painless rectal bleeding and external hemorrhoids is associated with pain in the anus area.
They both differ from their position to the dentate line.
External hemorrhoids External hemorrhoids occur outside the anal verge.
They are varicosities of the veins draining the territory of the inferior rectal arteries, which are branches of the internal pudendal artery.
Sometimes they can be painful and sometimes comes with swelling and irritation.
Lots of people think itching is a symptom of external haemorrhoids but is possibly due to skin irritation.
External hemorrhoids are prone to thrombosis: if the vein ruptures and/or a blood clot occurs it becomes a thrombosed hemorrhoid.
Internal hemorrhoids Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum.
They're varicosities of veins draining the territory of branches of the superior rectal arteries.
Internal hemorrhoids are usually not painful and most people are not aware that they have them because it take place in a area that lacks of pain receptors.
They may bleed when irritated and if untreated they can lead to 2 forms that are more severe; prolapsed and strangulated hemorrhoids.
Prolapsed hemorrhoids are so distended that they are pushed outside the anus.
Strangulated haemorrhoid occurs when the anal sphincter muscle goes into spasm and traps a prolapsed hemorrhoid outside the anal opening resulting in a cancellation of the blood supply.
Signs and symptoms Hemorrhoids are usually benign and symptoms will resolve within a few days.
The most common symptom is bright red blood covering the stool (hematochezia) and may protrude through the anus.
Others include painful swelling or lump around the anus, itching, bleeding and burning.
Causes There are many factors that may lead to the formations of hemorrhoids such as irregular bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), exercise, gravity, nutrition (low-fiber diet), increased intra-abdominal pressure (prolonged straining), pregnancy, genetics, absence of valves within the hemorrhoidal veins, aging, obesity, and sitting for long periods of time.
Prevention and treatment The best ways to prevent and treat hemorrhoids are to keep stools soft so they pass easily, empty bowels as soon as possible when needed, exercise, walking, increasing daily fiber from meals, lots of fluids to maintain hydration, NSAID analgesics, sitz baths, good nights sleep and natural remedies.
If these steps fails, surgery is the next best option available.
Diagnosis A visual examination of the anus and surrounding area may be able to diagnose external or prolapsed hemorrhoids.
A rectal exam may be performed to detect possible rectal tumors, polyps, enlarged prostate and abscesses.
This exam is made with an anoscopy, a hollow tube with a light attached at one end that allows doctors to see and the appropriate amount of sedation is needed for the pain.
Buy many anorectal problems like fissures, fistulae, abscesses, colorectal cancer, rectal varices and itching, diverticulosis, polyps have similar symptoms and may be incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids.
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