Medical Author: Melissa Conrad Stöppler, MD, Chief Medical Editor
Medically Reviewed on 10/22/2021
Doctor's Notes on Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are enlarged blood vessels in the lining of the walls of the rectum and anus. Enlargement of these blood vessels occurs due to an increase in the pressure within these vessels. Increased pressure may be caused by a variety of conditions, such as pregnancy, obesity, diarrhea, rectal surgery, or injury to the spinal cord. The pressure also increases when a person has to strain to have a bowel movement.
Itching, rectal or anal pain, and bleeding are classic symptoms of hemorrhoids:
- The blood is usually bright red in color and may appear as streaks on the stool.
- Associated symptoms can include swelling and feeling a lump at the anus.
- Blood clots can also form inside enlarged hemorrhoids and cause intense pain.
- External hemorrhoids may appear as bluish-red or pink rubbery lumps at the anal opening.
What Is the Treatment for Hemorrhoids?
Treatment options include both home care measures as well as procedures performed by a physician:
- Warm baths or sitz baths
- Petroleum jelly or hydrocortisone ointment
- Application of witch hazel
- Wearing loose clothing
- High-fiber diet
- Cold packs or compresses
- Stool softener medications
- Over-the-counter pain medications
- Procedures including injection, rubber band ligation, cauterization, or coagulation
- Surgery for severe cases
Hemorrhoids : Test Your Medical IQ of Piles Quiz
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Anal Itching
Anal itching is a common problem experienced by both men and women. Examples of causes of anal itching include irritants such as perfumes, chemicals, or dyes in toilet paper, food irritants, infections, and hemorrhoids. There are risk factors for anal itching such as diseases, profuse sweating, fecal soilage, and more. Anal itching in general can be treated at home with OTC medications if necessary. -
Gastrointestinal Bleeding (GI Bleeding)
Gastrointestinal (GI) bleeding either comes from the upper GI or lower GI tract. Upper GI bleeding can be caused by ulcers, gastritis, varices, cancer, or inflammation. Lower GI bleeding is caused by diverticulitis, cancers, IBD, infection, polyps, hemorrhoids, and anal fissures. Symptoms and signs of GI bleeding include fatigue, weakness, shortness of breath, abdominal pain, vomiting blood, rectal bleeding, anemia, or a pale appearance. Treatment of GI bleeding depends on the cause. -
How Do Hemorrhoids Go Away?
Mild hemorrhoids may go away on their own, as long as you eat plenty of fiber and drink lots of fluids to keep your stool soft. More severe ones may require medical treatment or surgery. -
Postpartum Perineal Care
The perineum is between the urethra, the tube that carries urine from the bladder, and the anus. In women, the perineum includes the vaginal opening. Some times the perineum needs to be surgically cut during labor (episiotomy) or it tears naturally during delivery. Healing after childbirth often requires special care for the perineum. -
Proctitis
Proctitis is an inflammation of the anus rectal lining. Symptoms include pain, bleeding, spasms during bowel movements, a feeling of being unable to empty the bowels completely. Treatment includes safe sex practices and antibiotics. -
Rectal Bleeding
Rectal bleeding can be mild or seriouis, evern life-threatening. Causes of rectal bleeding include trauma, inflammation of the bowel, hemorrhoids, anal fissures, polyps, and tumors. Treatment of rectal bleeding depends on the cause and may include medication or surgery. -
Rectal Pain
Rectal pain is a common problem. Some common causes of rectal pain include hemorrhoids, anal fissures, fleeting anal spasms (proctalgia fugax), and levator ani syndrome. Diagnosis of rectal pain generally require no procedures. Treatment of rectal pain depends on the cause of the pain. -
Varicose Veins
Varicose veins are thought to be inherited in some people. Other caues of varicose veins include pregnancy, prolonged standing, obesity, straining (constipation, chronic choughing, enlarged prostate, etc.), prior surgery to the leg, and age. Treatments for varicose veins include several modalities and surgery.
REFERENCE:
Kasper, D.L., et al., eds. Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19th Ed. United States: McGraw-Hill Education, 2015.