What are they?

Hemorrhoids are swollen distended veins located in masses of anal tissue; these veins become swollen when the blood pressure in the veins increases causing the veins to slowly swell. Frequent straining or feeling the need to “push” while having a bowel movement is the leading cause of hemorrhoids. Other risk factors include:

• Chronic diarrhea
• Stomach disorders (Crohn’s Disease, Irritable Bowel Syndrome)
• Liver disease
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Anal surgery
• High blood pressure
• Weight lifting
• Genetics

Internal Hemorrhoids: These are hemorrhoids that located within the anal canal. They cause a bright red bleeding while passing waste, but are usually otherwise pain and symptom free. It’s possible for this type of hemorrhoid to become so swollen and distended that it pops out of the anal canal, this complication is called prolapse. In the early stage of prolapse, the hemorrhoid will simply reduce and return to the anal canal on its own, but, if the condition gets worse, the prolapsed hemorrhoid may need to be pushed back into the anal canal with a fingertip. Another potential complication is strangulation, this is when a prolapsed hemorrhoid can no longer reduce or be manually reinserted, is stuck outside the anal canal.

External Hemorrhoids: You may be able to see or feel these hemorrhoids as small protrusions right at the anal opening. External hemorrhoids will usually exhibit a lot more symptoms than internal hemorrhoids. Symptoms include mild discomfort, anal swelling, itching, bleeding and burning. In rare cases, it is possible for an external hemorrhoid to develop a blood clot, this is called a thrombosed external hemorrhoid and is one instance in which an external hemorrhoid may become more than just mildly discomforting, this complication can be extremely pain.

Diagnosing Hemorrhoids

When the colorectal symptoms of bleeding, discomfort or pain are present, a colonoscopy is usually the recommended course of action. Although hemroid aren’t dangerous, a colonoscopy is performed in order to rule out other potential causes of these symptoms such as colon cancer, rectal cancer, infection and fissures.

Expected Duration

Most symptoms will clear up after a few days; however hemorrhoids are a chronic condition which means they may continue to be a recurrent problem. In the case of hemorrhoids experienced as a result of pregnancy, these hemroids will usually disappear or drastically improve once the baby is delivered.