What are the different types of hemorrhoids?
The area surrounding your anus is served by a network of blood vessels that form vascular cushions. Hemorrhoids develop when veins in these networks become inflamed and swollen. As the veins enlarge, you can develop two types of hemorrhoids:
- Internal hemorrhoids, which form in the lining of the anus and lower rectum
- External hemorrhoids, which form under the skin around your anus
Both types of hemorrhoids are quite common in men and women.
What causes hemorrhoids?
The veins around your anus stretch and enlarge under pressure, which may be caused by:
- Sitting on the toilet for a long time
- Chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Frequently lifting heavy objects
Hemorrhoids commonly develop during pregnancy and delivery. Natural age-related changes that weaken the tissues also increase your risk of hemorrhoids.
What symptoms might I develop if I have hemorrhoids?
Bleeding is the most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids. You’ll notice bright red blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.
Internal hemorrhoids can prolapse when straining or pressure pushes them through the anal opening. When that happens, the hemorrhoids may become painful or cause a mucus discharge.
External hemorrhoids typically cause pain and itching. You may also feel one or more tender lumps near your anus or experience pain when sitting for an extended period.
If you have sudden, severe pain, swelling, or inflammation, it’s a sign that an external hemorrhoid has developed a blood clot.
How are hemorrhoids treated?
If your hemorrhoids are mild, eating a high-fiber diet and drinking plenty of fluids may relieve your symptoms. It’s also important to stop straining during bowel movements and to limit the amount of time spent sitting on the toilet, as that increases pressure on the veins.
If conservative treatments fail to provide relief, or the hemorrhoid develops a blood clot, you may need to have the clot or the entire hemorrhoid removed.
The experts at California Colorectal Surgeons perform a variety of procedures, from simple, painless office procedures to advanced surgical techniques that treat your hemorrhoid with minimal pain.
In-office procedures include:
- Infrared coagulation, in which heat from an infrared light shrinks the hemorrhoid
- Rubber band ligation, in which a rubber band placed on the hemorrhoid blocks blood flow, causing the hemorrhoid to shrink and fall off
- Sclerotherapy, in which an injected chemical solution shrinks the hemorrhoid
Surgical procedures include:
Traditional hemorrhoidectomy
This is surgery to remove external and internal hemorrhoids.
Procedure for prolapsing hemorrhoids (PPH)
Your doctor uses a stapling device to remove hemorrhoidal tissue and attach remaining tissues back in their normal position.
Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization (THD)
Also called incision-less hemorrhoid surgery, this minimally invasive procedure uses Doppler ultrasound to locate the blood vessels serving the hemorrhoid, then ties off the vessel, blocking blood flow and shrinking the hemorrhoid.
If you experience bleeding or rectal pain, call California Colorectal Surgeons or book an appointment online.
