Hemorrhoids

Introduction: Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels around the anus. They commonly occur after 50, with millions of people afflicted, and are also common in pregnancy. Hemorrhoids may protrude externally or be internal to the body. Although hemorrhoids are definitely irritating and sometimes debilitating, they are almost never life-threatening or a symptom of something worse. Hemorrhoids can often be prevented by healthy diets, avoiding toilet straining, and other lifestyle changes.

Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

• Blood in stool
• Rectal bleeding
• Blood on toilet paper
• Anal itching
• Anal swelling

See full list of 10 symptoms of Hemorrhoids

Home Diagnostic Testing

Home medical testing related to Hemorrhoids:

• Colon & Rectal Cancer: Home Testing
  • Home Colorectal Cancer Tests
  • Home Fecal Occult Bleeding Tests

Medical Textbooks Online about Hemorrhoids

Book excerpts: Copyright © 2008 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins. All rights reserved.

Diagnostic Tests for Hemorrhoids

• Physical exam
• Digital rectal exam
• Anoscope exam
• Sigmoidoscopy
• Colonoscopy

See full list of 6 diagnostic tests for Hemorrhoids

Wrongly Diagnosed with Hemorrhoids?

• Misdiagnosis of Hemorrhoids
• Underlying causes of Hemorrhoids (possibly wrongly diagnosed)

Misdiagnosis and Hemorrhoids

Painful anorectal conditions: Anorectal problems are common and tend to cause serious anxiety in the patient due to its alarming symptoms like extreme pain, discharge, bleeding, pruritus and lumps. Some of the conditions to be kept in mind in order not to miss out on correct condition would include anal fissure, haemorrhoids, perianal abscess and solitary rectal ulcer. Anal fissure can be extremely painful and a careful inspection alone must be done to come to a diagnosis. Perianal abscess presents with throbbing pain, fever and tender swelling can be felt. Look for evidence of a fistula. Bleeding is the main and only symptom in case of haemorrhoids. In solitary ulcer, sigmoidoscopy helps. Management is difficult and a chronic course is common....read more »

Read more about Misdiagnosis and Hemorrhoids

Causes of Hemorrhoids

• Pregnancy
• Constipation
• Chronic constipation
• Fecal straining
• Chronic diarrhea (type of Diarrhea)

See full list of 9 causes of Hemorrhoids

More information about causes of Hemorrhoids:

• Medications, drugs, or substances causing Hemorrhoids (8 listings)
• Underlying causes of Hemorrhoids
• Hemorrhoids as a complication caused by other conditions
• Hemorrhoids as a symptom

Treatments for Hemorrhoids

• Watchful waiting - in many cases, hemorrhoids resolve within a few days.
• Warm baths
• Sitz baths
• Ice packs
• Reduce constipation - see treatment of constipation; hemorrhoids often ease if constipation is relieved.

See full list of 25 treatments for Hemorrhoids

Videos for Hemorrhoids

Patient Surveys for Hemorrhoids

• Patient Profile Survey
  Take Survey  View Results
• Survey about the symptoms of your Hemorrhoids
  Take Survey  View Results

Prognosis for Hemorrhoids

Prognosis for Hemorrhoids: Good. Haemorrhoids are not very serious. In many cases, symptoms subside on their own.

More about prognosis of Hemorrhoids

Reseach about Hemorrhoids

Visit our research pages for current research about Hemorrhoids treatments.

Clinical Trials for Hemorrhoids

The US based website ClinicalTrials.gov lists information on both federally and privately supported clinical trials using human volunteers.

Some of the clinical trials listed on ClinicalTrials.gov for Hemorrhoids include:

• Trial to Evaluate Effect of Lactulose on Hard Stools in Patients With Hemorrhoids or Anal Fissures - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - Lactulose
• Effect of Perioperative i.v. Low-Dose S(+) Ketamine - This study is currently recruiting patients (Current: 23 Nov 2006) - S (+) Ketamine
• Stapled Anopexy Versus Closed Haemorrhoidectomy for Haemorrhoids - This study has been completed (Current: 23 Nov 2006)

Read more about Clinical Trials for Hemorrhoids

Prevention of Hemorrhoids

Prevention information for Hemorrhoids has been compiled from various data sources and may be inaccurate or incomplete. None of these methods guarantee prevention of Hemorrhoids.

• Avoid straining in bowel motions
• Avoid constipation
• High-fiber diet
• Fluids in diet
• Exercise

Read more about prevention of Hemorrhoids

Statistics for Hemorrhoids

• Medical statistics for Hemorrhoids
• Prevalence and incidence statistics for Hemorrhoids
• Death and Mortality statistics for Hemorrhoids
• Society statistics for Hemorrhoids

Types of Hemorrhoids

• Internal hemorrhoid - when they remain inside the rectum.
• External hemorrhoid - when they protrude out the anus.
• Protruding hemorrhoid
• Pregnancy-related hemorrhoids

Read more about Types of Hemorrhoids

Stories from Users Related to Hemorrhoids

• Tole I had hemmoroids
• hemorrhoid
• Signs Of hemorrhoids???
• Possible internal hemorrhoid
• Hemroid cure?? help
• piles...advice me on external piles please
• hemorroids
• Is this hemorrhoids or not?
• Hemroid cure?? help
• Hemroids or something else
• hemroid? beginning? help??

Related forums and stories:

• Anal/Rectal Conditions (62)
  • Bad Odour
  • lower intestine pain from front all the way through rectum
  • can anyone help with this?
  • Ongoing rectal pain 5+ months
  • Rectal bleeding
  • More user stories

User Interactive Forums

Read about other experiences, ask a question about Hemorrhoids, or answer someone else's question, on our message boards:

• I can not get a diagnosis. Please help.
• Tell us your medical story.
• Share your misdiagnosis story.
• What is the best treatment for this?
• See all the forums.

Article Excerpts about Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are swollen but normally present blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum that stretch under pressure, similar to varicose veins in the legs.

The increased pressure and swelling may result from straining to move the bowel. Other contributing factors include pregnancy, heredity, aging, and chronic constipation or diarrhea.

Hemorrhoids are either inside the anus (internal) or under the skin around the anus (external). (Source: excerpt from Hemorrhoids: NIDDK)

Definitions of Hemorrhoids:

Varicosities of the hemorrhoidal venous plexuses. - (Source - Diseases Database)

Pain caused by venous swelling at or inside the anal sphincter - (Source - WordNet 2.1)