Condition Lookup
Sub-Category:
Hemorrhoids
Number of Conditions: 2
Internal Hemorrhoids
Specialty: Gastrointestinal
Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders
Sub-category: Hemorrhoids
Symptoms:
painless rectal bleeding; bright red blood in stool or on toilet paper; prolapse of hemorrhoid tissue during bowel movements; mucus discharge; anal itching
Root Cause:
Swollen and inflamed veins inside the rectum caused by increased pressure on the anal and rectal veins, commonly due to straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting, or chronic constipation.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Physical examination, anoscopy, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy to rule out other causes of rectal bleeding.
Treatment:
Conservative measures (dietary fiber, hydration, sitz baths), minimally invasive procedures (rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, infrared coagulation), and surgery (hemorrhoidectomy or stapled hemorrhoidopexy for severe cases).
Medications:
Over-the-counter hydrocortisone creams or suppositories for inflammation (topical corticosteroid), stool softeners to prevent straining (laxative), and flavonoid supplements to reduce inflammation (vasoactive medications like diosmin or hesperidin).
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Common condition; affects approximately 4.4% of the global population.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic constipation or diarrhea, low-fiber diet, obesity, pregnancy, prolonged sitting or standing, heavy lifting, and family history of hemorrhoids.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Often manageable with conservative treatments; minimally invasive procedures or surgery provide long-term relief in severe cases.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Persistent bleeding, anemia, prolapse requiring manual reduction, and thrombosis of hemorrhoids.
External Hemorrhoids
Specialty: Gastrointestinal
Category: Rectum and Anus Disorders
Sub-category: Hemorrhoids
Symptoms:
painful swelling or lump near the anus; itching or irritation around the anal area; bleeding during bowel movements; thrombosis leading to severe pain and bluish discoloration
Root Cause:
Swollen and inflamed veins located under the skin around the anus, caused by increased pressure in the anal veins due to straining, prolonged sitting, or other factors.
How it's Diagnosed: videos
Visual inspection and physical examination; no additional diagnostic tools are typically required unless symptoms suggest other conditions.
Treatment:
Conservative measures (fiber-rich diet, hydration, sitz baths), excision of thrombosed hemorrhoids, and symptomatic relief with medications.
Medications:
Topical analgesics (lidocaine cream for pain relief), anti-inflammatory agents (hydrocortisone creams or suppositories ), and oral pain relievers like acetaminophen or ibuprofen for severe discomfort.
Prevalence:
How common the health condition is within a specific population.
Affects a similar percentage of the population as internal hemorrhoids, with varying presentations.
Risk Factors:
Factors or behaviors that increase the likelihood of developing the condition.
Chronic constipation, low-fiber diet, obesity, pregnancy, prolonged sitting or standing, and heavy lifting.
Prognosis:
The expected outcome or course of the condition over time.
Typically resolves with conservative treatments; surgical interventions may be needed for thrombosed external hemorrhoids.
Complications:
Additional problems or conditions that may arise as a result of the original condition.
Severe pain and discomfort, thrombosis of hemorrhoids, ulceration, and infection.