Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in and around the rectum or anus. There are two types of hemorrhoids:
• Internal hemorrhoids. These occur in the veins just inside the rectum. They may poke through to the outside and become irritated and painful.
• External hemorrhoids. These occur in the veins outside the anus and can be felt as a painful swelling or hard lump near the anus.
Most hemorrhoids do not cause serious problems and can be managed with home treatments, such as diet and lifestyle changes. If home treatments do not help your symptoms, procedures can be done to shrink or remove the hemorrhoids.
CAUSES
This condition is caused by increased pressure in the anal area. This pressure may result from various things, including: …show more content…
• Anal swelling.
• One or more lumps around the anus.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition can often be diagnosed through a visual exam. Other exams or tests may also be done, such as:
• Examination of the rectal area with a gloved hand (digital rectal exam).
• Examination of the anal canal using a small tube (anoscope).
• A blood test if you have lost a significant amount of blood.
• A test to look inside the colon (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy).
TREATMENT
This condition can usually be treated at home. However, various procedures may be done if diet changes, lifestyle changes, and other home treatments do not help your symptoms. These procedures can help make the hemorrhoids smaller or remove them completely. Some of these procedures involve surgery, and others do not. Common procedures include:
• Rubber band ligation. Rubber bands are placed at the base of the hemorrhoids to cut off the blood supply to them.
• Sclerotherapy. Medicine is injected into the hemorrhoids to shrink them.
• Infrared coagulation. A type of light energy is used to get rid of the hemorrhoids.
• Hemorrhoidectomy surgery. The hemorrhoids are surgically removed, and the veins that supply them are tied
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in and around the rectum or anus. There are two types of hemorrhoids:
• Internal hemorrhoids. These occur in the veins just inside the rectum. They may poke through to the outside and become irritated and painful.
• External hemorrhoids. These occur in the veins outside the anus and can be felt as a painful swelling or hard lump near the anus.
Most hemorrhoids do not cause serious problems and can be managed with home treatments, such as diet and lifestyle changes. If home treatments do not help your symptoms, procedures can be done to shrink or remove the hemorrhoids.
CAUSES
This condition is caused by increased pressure in the anal area. This pressure may result from various things, including: …show more content…
• Anal swelling.
• One or more lumps around the anus.
DIAGNOSIS
This condition can often be diagnosed through a visual exam. Other exams or tests may also be done, such as:
• Examination of the rectal area with a gloved hand (digital rectal exam).
• Examination of the anal canal using a small tube (anoscope).
• A blood test if you have lost a significant amount of blood.
• A test to look inside the colon (sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy).
TREATMENT
This condition can usually be treated at home. However, various procedures may be done if diet changes, lifestyle changes, and other home treatments do not help your symptoms. These procedures can help make the hemorrhoids smaller or remove them completely. Some of these procedures involve surgery, and others do not. Common procedures include:
• Rubber band ligation. Rubber bands are placed at the base of the hemorrhoids to cut off the blood supply to them.
• Sclerotherapy. Medicine is injected into the hemorrhoids to shrink them.
• Infrared coagulation. A type of light energy is used to get rid of the hemorrhoids.
• Hemorrhoidectomy surgery. The hemorrhoids are surgically removed, and the veins that supply them are tied