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Understanding Hemorrhoids -- the Basics
What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels of the rectum. The hemorrhoidal veins are located in the lowest area of the rectum and the anus. Sometimes they swell so that the vein walls become stretched, thin, and irritated by passing bowel movements. Hemorrhoids are classified into two general categories: internal and external.
Internal hemorrhoids lie far enough inside the rectum that you can't see or feel them. They don't usually hurt because there are few pain-sensing nerves in the rectum. Bleeding may be the only sign that they are there. Sometimes internal hemorrhoids prolapse, or enlarge and protrude outside the anal sphincter. If so, you may be able to see or feel them as moist, pink pads of skin that are pinker than the surrounding area. Prolapsed hemorrhoids may hurt because the anus is dense with pain-sensing nerves. They usually recede into the rectum on their own; if they don't, they can be gently pushed back into place.
External hemorrhoids lie within the anus and are usually painful. If an external hemorrhoid prolapses to the outside (usually in the course of passing a stool), you can see and feel it. Blood clots sometimes form within prolapsed external hemorrhoids, causing an extremely painful condition called a thrombosis. If an external hemorrhoid becomes thrombosed, it can look rather frightening, turning purple or blue, and could possibly bleed. Despite their appearance, thrombosed hemorrhoids are usually not serious and will resolve themselves in about a week. If the pain is unbearable, your doctor can remove the thrombosed hemorrhoid, which stops the pain, during an office visit.
Anal bleeding and pain of any sort is alarming and should be evaluated; it can indicate a life-threatening condition, such as colorectal cancer. Hemorrhoids are the No. 1 cause of anal bleeding and are rarely dangerous, but a definite diagnosis from your doctor is a must.
What Causes Hemorrhoids?
About half of the people in the U.S. will suffer from hemorrhoids at some point in life; for most, this will happen between ages 20 and 50. Researchers are not certain what causes hemorrhoids. "Weak" veins -- leading to hemorrhoids and other varicose veins -- may be inherited.
It's likely that extreme abdominal pressure causes the veins to swell and become susceptible to irritation. The pressure can be caused by obesity, pregnancy, standing or sitting for long periods, straining on the toilet, coughing, sneezing, vomiting, and holding your breath while straining to do physical labor.
Diet has a pivotal role in causing -- and preventing -- hemorrhoids. People who consistently eat a high-fiber diet are less likely to get hemorrhoids, but those who prefer a diet high in processed foods can expect them. A low-fiber diet or inadequate fluid intake can cause constipation, which can contribute to hemorrhoids in two ways: It promotes straining on the toilet and it also aggravates the hemorrhoids by producing hard stools that further irritate the swollen veins.
WebMD Medical Reference
Reviewed by
Martin E. Zipser, MD on November 04, 2010
© 2011 WebMD, LLC. All rights reserved.
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