What is a hemorrhoid?

Hemorrhoids are not a frequently discussed topic, and are more common than many people think. Most people are frightened by the thought of surgery and just tolerate the pain. It is estimated that 50% of Americans will, at some point in their lives, suffer from hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids are actually part of a normal, healthy anatomy. They are cushions of vascular tissue. These tissues sometimes swell and bleed, which causes pain and/or discomfort. Small hemorrhoids are treatable with medication and diet changes. For more complex cases, surgery may be required.

There are several different procedures that are available to eliminate or shrink hemorrhoids depending on the severity of the case.

Hemorrhoid Symptoms? Get Treated Today!

Multiple symptoms of hemorrhoids may occur. Symptoms can be made worse by straining during constipation and overly aggressive wiping of the anus. The symptoms can be pain and pressure in the anal canal; a grapelike lump on the anus; itching and soreness in and around the anus; and/or blood on underwear, toilet paper, the surface of the stool or in the toilet bowl.

Most hemorrhoids can be managed at home. However, some hemorrhoids can become a serious health issue. If you have any symptoms of hemorrhoids for more than a week, you should make an appointment with Dr. Magdi Alexander.

Hemorrhoid Classification

First Degree Hemorrhoids bleed but do not prolapse outside of the anal canal. You may see blood in your stool or when you wipe after a bowel movement, but the swollen tissue will remain inside the anal canal.

A Second Degree Hemorrhoid prolapses outside of the anal canal (mostly when defecating), but will retract spontaneously. So, you may feel momentary discomfort when the tissue comes out of the anal canal, but the discomfort will subside when the hemorrhoid retracts.

A Third Degree Hemorrhoid prolapses a little more than a Second Degree Hemorrhoid. It remains protruding outside of the anal canal until manually pushed back inside the canal. The hemorrhoid may feel like an uncomfortable bulge on your anus and may be painful.

Like Third Degree Hemorrhoids, Fourth Degree Hemorrhoids prolapse outside of the anal canal and do not retract spontaneously. Fourth Degree Hemorrhoids usually contain strangulated or thrombosed tissue that needs to be removed. These hemorrhoids cannot be manually replaced. These hemorrhoids cause great discomfort and pain.

Internal hemorrhoids originate from the superior hemorrhoidal plexus and are covered by mucosa proximal to the dentate line. Symptomatic internal hemorrhoids may cause bleeding, protrusion, swelling, mucous discharge, soiling, burning, itching and pain.

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