A Simple Guide to Medical Conditions 10 - A Simple Guide to Hemorrhoids and Anal Diseases

Hemorrhoids or piles are distended veins inside the anus which are swollen and inflamed. Hemorrhoids are either inside the anus (internal) or under the skin around the anus (external). What is the cause of hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids usually result from straining to pass the stool out of anus. Other contributing factors include pregnancy, aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea. What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids? The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is 1, bleeding from the anus. Bright red blood may be seen covering the stool, on toilet paper, or dripping from the anus into the toilet bowl. There may be pain too especially if the stool is hard. This could be due to the hard stools pressing on the swollen piles or due to a tear in the inner lining of the anus. A painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus may occur when a blood clot forms. This condition is known as a thrombosed hemorrhoid. In addition, excessive straining, rubbing, or cleaning around the anus may cause irritation with bleeding and/or itching. How common are hemorrhoids? Hemorrhoids are very common in both men and women. About half of the population have hemorrhoids by age 50. Hemorrhoids are also common among pregnant women. The pressure of the fetus in the abdomen, as well as hormonal changes, causes the hemorrhoid vessels to enlarge. For most women, however, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy are temporary. How are hemorrhoids diagnosed? A thorough examination and proper diagnosis by the doctor is important any time bleeding from the rectum or blood in the stool occurs. Bleeding may also be a symptom of other digestive diseases, including colorectal cancer. The doctor will examine the anus and rectum to look for swollen blood vessels that indicate hemorrhoids and will also perform a…