What are hemorrhoids exactly? How do you get them ...

Skip navigation

• Illustrations
• Alternative Names
• Definition
• Causes
• Symptoms
• Exams and Tests

• Treatment
• Outlook (Prognosis)
• Possible Complications
• When to Contact a Medical Professional
• Prevention
• References

Illustrations

Alternative Names     Return to top

Rectal lump; Piles; Lump in the rectum

Definition     Return to top

Hemorrhoids are painful, swollen veins in the lower portion of the rectum or anus.

Causes     Return to top

This condition is very common, especially during pregnancy and after childbirth. Hemorrhoids result from increased pressure in the veins of the anus. The pressure causes the veins to bulge and expand, making them painful, particularly when you are sitting.
The most common cause is straining during bowel movements. Hemorrhoids may result from constipation, sitting for long periods of time, and anal infections. In some cases they may be caused by other diseases, such as liver cirrhosis .
Internal hemorrhoids occur just inside the anus, at the beginning of the rectum. External hemorrhoids occur at the anal opening and may hang outside the anus.

Symptoms     Return to top

Symptoms of hemorrhoids include:

• Anal itching
• Anal ache or pain, especially while sitting
• Bright red blood on toilet tissue, stool , or in the toilet bowl
• Pain during bowel movements
• One or more hard tender lumps near the anus

Exams and Tests     Return to top

A doctor can often diagnose hemorrhoids simply by examining the rectal area. If necessary, tests that may help diagnose the problem include:

• Stool guaiac (shows the presence of blood)
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Anoscopy

Treatment     Return to top

Over-the-counter corticosteroid creams can reduce pain and swelling. Hemorrhoid creams with lidocaine can reduce pain. Witch hazel (applied with cotton swabs) can reduce itching. Other steps for anal itching include:

• Wear cotton undergarments.
• Avoid toilet tissue with perfumes or colors.
• Try not to scratch the area.

Sitz baths can help you to feel better. Sit in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes. Stool softeners help reduce straining and constipation.

For cases that don't respond to home treatments, a surgeon or gastroenterologist can apply heat treatment, called infrared coagulation, to shrink internal hemorrhoids. This may help avoid surgery. Surgery that may be done to treat hemorrhoids includes rubber band ligation or surgical hemorrhoidectomy . These procedures are generally used for patients with severe pain or bleeding who have not responded to other therapy.

Outlook (Prognosis)     Return to top

Most treatments are effective, but to prevent the hemorrhoids from coming back, you will need to maintain a high-fiber diet and drink plenty of fluids.

Possible Complications     Return to top

The blood in the enlarged veins may form clots , and the tissue surrounding the hemorrhoids can die. Hemorrhoids with clots generally require surgical removal.
Severe bleeding may also occur. Iron deficiency anemia can result from prolonged loss of blood. Significant bleeding from hemorrhoids is unusual, however.

When to Contact a Medical Professional     Return to top

Call for an appointment with your health care provider if hemorrhoid symptoms do not improve with home treatment. You should also be seen if you have rectal bleeding. Your provider may want to check for other, more serious causes of the bleeding, especially if you have never bled from hemorrhoids before.
Call 911 if blood loss is significant or if you feel dizzy, lightheaded, or faint.

Prevention     Return to top

Avoid straining during bowel movements. You can help prevent hemorrhoids by preventing constipation. Drink plenty of fluids, at least eight glasses per day. Eat a high-fiber diet of fruits, vegetables, whole grains. Consider fiber supplements.

References     Return to top

American Gastroenterological Association medical position statement: Diagnosis and treatment of hemorrhoids. Gastroenterology . 2004 May;126(5):1461-2.
Feldman M, Friedman LS, Sleisenger MH. Sleisenger & Fordtran’s Gastrointestinal and Liver Disease. 7th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2002.
Marx JA, Hockberger RS, Walls RM, eds. Rosen’s Emergency Medicine: Concepts and Clinical Practice. 5th ed. St. Louis, Mo: Mosby; 2002.
Rakel P.Textbook of Family Practice . 6th ed. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 2002. Update Date: 5/3/2007 Updated by: Jenifer K. Lehrer, MD, Department of Gastroenterology, Frankford-Torresdale Hospital, Jefferson Health System, Philadelphia, PA. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2009, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.

External hemorrhoids are formed around the anus area typically and internal ones are more inside that area. They may be formed because of several reasons such as poor nutrition, lack of exercise, applied pressure or strain in the area.

For free information on how to treat them please visit => cures for hemorrhoids .

This may become necessary if the hemroids symptoms become severe and the disease more chronic. The common interventions health practitioners will apply in such cases include:

• Surgical Operation:
  When the hemroids become too large and protrude out of the anus most of the time, it might necessitate cutting them off through a process called haemorrhoidectomy . In some cases it might not mean actual cutting off of pieces of tissue from the anal walls, but merely dissecting the swollen hemroids to remove clotted blood and puss so that the hemroids can eventually "dry" up with the help of other medication such as ointments and suppositories.
• Using a rubber band:
  The doctor or any qualified medical practitioner uses a rubber band to tie off the hemroids at the root so that they wither off and die. This procedure is based on the fact that hemroids thrive on regular blood supply. Therefore, if the blood supply is cut off, such as by tying the vessels that carry blood to the lumpy hemroids, then the resultant shortage or absence of this all important fluid will see to it that the hemroids "starve to death".
  
  By its very nature, this method of treatment cannot be applied in the early stages of the disease since the hemroids are still tiny. It is best suited for hemroids that hang out of the anus , or those that are seen and felt as big lumps outside the anal opening.