+1-617-394-8820 contact@baybiosciences.com

Hemorrhoids, Symptoms, Causes, Types

by | Jun 26, 2022 | Info | 0 comments

Hemorrhoids Overview

Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins in the lower part of the anus and rectum. When the walls of these vessels stretch, they can become irritated.

Although hemorrhoids can sometimes be painful, they often get better on their own. Lifestyle changes, such as eating more fiber and exercising, can help relieve symptoms and lower the risk of future hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common causes of rectal bleeding. They often go away on their own. Treatments can also help.


Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

Symptoms of hemorrhoids often include the following:

  • Bleeding
  • Discomfort, pain, or soreness around the anus
  • Itching or irritation in the anal area
  • Lumps and swelling in the anal region
  • Dilation, or bulging, of a vein, which may or may not be painful, depending on where it occurs

Symptoms can be uncomfortable or alarming, but they often improve on their own after a few days.


Causes of Hemorrhoids

Although doctors do not fully understand why hemorrhoids appear, they may occur for the following reasons:

  • Pregnancy: During pregnancy, tissues in the rectum become weaker, and hormones cause veins to relax and swell. Hemorrhoids may occur in up to 35% of pregnant women.
  • Aging: Hemorrhoids are most common among adults over age 50 years. However, young people and children can also get them.
  • Diarrhea: Hemorrhoids can occur after cases of chronic diarrhea.
  • Chronic constipation: Straining to move stool puts additional pressure on the walls of the blood vessels, which may result in hemorrhoids.
  • Sitting for too long: Spending a long time in a seated position, especially on the toilet, can cause hemorrhoids.
  • Diet: Eating low fiber food may contribute to hemorrhoids.
  • Heavy lifting: Repeatedly lifting heavy objects can lead to hemorrhoids.
  • Anal intercourse: This can cause new hemorrhoids or worsen existing ones.
  • Weight: Research has linked being overweight to a higher chance of hemorrhoids. This may result from increased pressure within the abdomen.
  • Genetics: Some people inherit a tendency to develop hemorrhoids.

 

Types of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids can be either internal or external. Healthcare professionals use a grading system to describe internal hemorrhoids based on whether they remain in the rectum or protrude out of the anus.

Internal Hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum and are not visible from the outside. They are typically painless. Often, rectal bleeding is the first sign of internal hemorrhoids.

If an internal hemorrhoid protrudes through the anus, it’s called a prolapsed hemorrhoid. This condition may be due to a weakening of the muscles around the anus and can be painful.

Doctors grade internal hemorrhoids from 1 to 4, depending on the degree of prolapse:

  • G1 (Grade 1) hemorrhoids remain in the rectum without prolapsing (protruding out of the anus).
  • G2 (Grade 2) hemorrhoids prolapse when a person passes stool, then return inside on their own.
  • G3 (Grade 3) hemorrhoids are prolapsed and must be pushed back in.
  • G4 (Grade 4) hemorrhoids are prolapsed and cannot be pushed back in.

Internal hemorrhoids are so far inside your rectum that you can’t usually see or feel them. They don’t generally hurt because you have few pain-sensing nerves there. Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids include:

  • Blood on your stools, on toilet paper after you wipe, or in the toilet bowl
  • Tissue that bulges outside your anal opening (prolapse). This may hurt, often when you poop. You might be able to see prolapsed hemorrhoids as moist bumps that are pinker than the surrounding area. These usually go back inside on their own. Even if they don’t, they can often be gently pushed back into place.

External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids occur in the skin around the anus and are therefore visible.

There are more sensitive nerves in this part of the body, so external hemorrhoids can be very painful. Straining when passing stool may cause external or internal hemorrhoids to bleed.

External hemorrhoids are under the skin around your anus, where there are many more pain-sensing nerves. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include:


Thrombosed Hemorrhoids

A blood clot can turn an external hemorrhoid purple or blue. This is called a thrombosis or a thrombosed hemorrhoid. You may notice symptoms like:

Diagnosis of Hemorrhoids

Your doctor will ask about your medical history and symptoms. They’ll probably need to do one or both of the following examinations:

  • Physical exam: A doctor will look at your anus and rectum to check for lumps, swelling, irritation, or other problems.
  • Digital rectal exam: A healthcare professional will put on gloves, apply lubrication, and insert a finger into your rectum to check muscle tone and feel for tenderness, lumps, or other problems.

To diagnose internal hemorrhoids or rule out other conditions, you might need a more thorough tests, including the following:

  • Anoscope. Your doctor uses a short plastic tube called an anoscope to look into your anal canal.
  • Sigmoidoscopy:  A healthcare professional will look into your lower colon with a flexible lighted tube called a sigmoidoscope. They can also use the tube to take a bit of tissue for tests.
  • Colonoscopy. Your doctor looks at all of your large intestine with a long, flexible tube called a colonoscope. They can also take tissue samples or treat other problems they find.

Treatment of Hemorrhoids

In most cases, simple measures will alleviate symptoms while hemorrhoids heal on their own. However, medication or surgery may be necessary in certain cases.

Home Treatments

The following home treatments may help relieve symptoms of hemorrhoids:

  • Topical creams and ointments: Over the counter (OTC) creams for external hemorrhoids can help reduce itching, discomfort, and swelling.
  • Fiber supplements: Taking supplements like methylcellulose (Citrucel) and psyllium (Metamucil) can reduce constipation and help with hemorrhoids.
  • Ice packs and cold compresses: Applying these to the affected area may help ease pain.
  • A sitz bath: A sitz bath involves sitting in a tub of shallow, warm water. Taking one a few times each day may help reduce hemorrhoid pain.
  • Analgesics: Painkillers such as aspirin, ibuprofen, and acetaminophen may help alleviate pain from hemorrhoids.


Medications

Hemorrhoid medications come in various forms, including suppositories, ointments, and pads. A patient can usually buy them over the counter.

Following are some of the common medications used for treating hemorrhoids:

  • Zinc oxide: Creams containing zinc oxide may help with irritation. One ointment, Calmoseptine, combines zinc oxide and menthol. It may be effective for relieving anal itching, which can be related to hemorrhoids.
  • Witch hazel: Experts say that astringents, such as witch hazel, may provide temporary relief.
  • Steroid cream: Corticosteroids such as hydrocortisone are commonly used to treat hemorrhoids. They can help reduce inflammation, but they may damage the skin if used for too long.
  • Lidocaine: Lidocaine acts as a local anesthetic. Research suggests that creams or suppositories that combine tribenoside (an anti-inflammatory) with lidocaine may help improve symptoms of pain and itching.

A patient should talk with a doctor if symptoms do not improve after using these medications for a week.


Nonsurgical Treatment Options

If home remedies do not improve hemorrhoids, a person may need further treatment. Nonsurgical options include:

  • Rubber band ligation: This outpatient procedure for internal hemorrhoids involves placing an elastic band on the base of the hemorrhoid to block its blood supply. The hemorrhoid will either shrink or fall off.
  • Sclerotherapy: During this procedure, doctors inject a liquid into an internal hemorrhoid. This produces a scar that cuts off blood supply to the hemorrhoid, causing it to shrink.
  • Infrared photocoagulation: Shining infrared light toward an internal hemorrhoid heats the area, causing scar tissue to form. This blocks the hemorrhoid’s blood supply and reduces its size.
  • Electrocoagulation: Doctors send a low electric current into a hemorrhoid to create scarring. This scar tissue cuts off the blood supply, leading the hemorrhoid to shrink.

A doctor will usually carry out these procedures while the patient is under local anesthesia.


Surgical Options

Surgery may involve the complete removal of external hemorrhoids or prolapsed internal hemorrhoids. This procedure is known as a hemorrhoidectomy.

Alternatively, a doctor or surgeon may staple a prolapsed hemorrhoid back into place in the anus.

During these procedures, a patient will receive general anesthesia. Most people can go home on the same day as the surgery.


Complications of Hemorrhoids

Rarely, hemorrhoids could lead to problems such as:

  • Skin tags: When the clot in a thrombosed hemorrhoid dissolve, you may have a bit of skin left over, which could get irritated.
  • Anemia: You might lose too much blood if you have a hemorrhoid that lasts a long time and bleeds a lot.
  • Infection: Some external hemorrhoids have sores that get infected.
  • Strangulated hemorrhoid. Muscles can block the blood flow to a prolapsed hemorrhoid. This may be very painful and need surgery.


Prevention of Hemorrhoids

Lifestyle changes can help lower the risk of hemorrhoids, which include the following:

  • Eating a healthy diet: Eating plenty of foods rich in fiber, such as fruits, vegetables, and whole grains, can help keep stools soft. Taking OTC fiber supplements and staying hydrated can also ease constipation.
  • Avoiding straining: A person should try not to strain when using the toilet. Straining puts pressure on the veins in the lower rectum.
  • Going to the bathroom when needed: It is best to avoid waiting to use the toilet. The longer a person waits, the drier the stools will be.
  • Getting regular physical activity: Exercise helps stool move through the bowel, making bowel movements more regular.
  • Maintaining a moderate body weight: Being overweight raises the risk of having hemorrhoids.

 

Outlook of Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoid symptoms often resolve on their own with conservative treatment, although there is a 10–50% chance they will return. The chance of hemorrhoids returning after surgery is less than 5%.

Following complications can sometimes occur, such as:

  • Bleeding: Anyone with persistent or heavy bleeding, with or without pain, should seek immediate medical help.
  • Strangulated hemorrhoid: Muscles around the anus may block the blood supply to a prolapsed hemorrhoid. This can cause significant pain.
  • Anemia: Significant, chronic blood loss from hemorrhoids can lead to anemia. This occurs when there are not enough red blood cells circulating in the body.
  • Blood clots: Blood will sometimes clot within a hemorrhoid. If the hemorrhoid is external, this can be very painful. A surgeon may need to remove the blood clot.
  • Infection: Ulceration and infection can occur after treatment.
  • Urinary retention: Around 15% of hemorrhoids patients have difficulty passing urine after surgery on internal hemorrhoids. After surgery for external hemorrhoids, urinary retention will affect 30–50% of patients.

It is important for a person to talk with a doctor if hemorrhoids show no improvement after a week or if new hemorrhoids keep forming.

Medical attention may also be needed for significant anal pain, heavy rectal bleeding, or fever. Besides hemorrhoids, conditions such as colorectal and anal cancers can cause bleeding from the rectum.


Summary

Hemorrhoids are common, affecting around 50% of adults over age 50 years. While symptoms may be painful, they often improve after several days of home treatments. Lifestyle changes can also help prevent hemorrhoids.

If hemorrhoid symptoms persist after 1 week or complications occur, a person may need medical treatment. A person should call a doctor if certain symptoms appear, particularly heavy bleeding, severe pain, or fever. These may be signs of other conditions.

Bay Biosciences is a global leader in providing researchers with high quality, clinical grade, fully characterized human tissue samples, bio-specimens, and human bio-fluid collections.

Samples available include cancer (tumor) tissue, cancer serum, cancer plasma, cancer, peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMC). and human tissue samples from most other therapeutic areas and diseases.

Bay Biosciences maintains and manages its own biorepository, the human tissue bank (biobank) consisting of thousands of diseased samples (specimens) and from normal healthy donors available in all formats and types.

Our biobank procures and stores fully consented, deidentified and institutional review boards (IRB) approved human tissue samples and matched controls.

All our human tissue collections, human specimens and human bio-fluids are provided with detailed, samples associated patient’s clinical data.

This critical patient’s clinical data includes information relating to their past and current disease, treatment history, lifestyle choices, biomarkers, and genetic information.

Patient’s data is extremely valuable for researchers and is used to help identify new effective treatments (drug discovery & development) in oncology, and other therapeutic areas and diseases.

Bay Biosciences banks wide variety of human tissue samples and biological samples, including cryogenically preserved at – 80°C.

Including fresh frozen tissue samples, tumor tissue samples, formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE), tissue slides, with matching human bio-fluids, whole blood and blood-derived products such as serum, plasma and PBMC.

Bay Biosciences is a global leader in collecting and providing human tissue samples according to the specified requirements and customized, tailor-made collection protocols.

Please contact us anytime to discuss your special research projects and customized human tissue sample requirements.

Bay Biosciences provides human tissue samples (human specimens) from diseased and normal healthy donors which includes:

We can also procure most human bio-specimens, special collections and requests for human samples that are difficult to find. All our human tissue samples are procured through IRB-approved clinical protocols and procedures.

In addition to the standard processing protocols, Bay Biosciences can also provide human plasma, serum, and PBMC bio-fluid samples using custom processing protocols; you buy donor-specific collections in higher volumes and specified sample aliquots from us.

Bay Biosciences also provides human samples from normal healthy donors; volunteers, for controls and clinical research, contact us Now.

日本のお客様は、ベイバイオサイエンスジャパンBay Biosciences Japanまたはhttp://baybiosciences-jp.com/contact/までご連絡ください。