hemorrhoid
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Key facts
- Medical condition (new).name
- Hemorrhoids
- Medical condition (new).synonyms
- Haemorrhoids, piles, hemorrhoidal disease
- Medical condition (new).image
- Internal and external hemorrhoids.png
- Medical condition (new).caption
- Diagram demonstrating the anatomy of both internal and external hemorrhoids
- Medical condition (new).field
- General surgery
- Medical condition (new).symptoms
- Internal: Painless, bright red rectal bleedingExternal: Pain and swelling around the anus
- Medical condition (new).onset
- 45–65 years of age
- Medical condition (new).duration
- Few days
- Medical condition (new).causes
- Unknown
- Medical condition (new).risks
- Constipation, diarrhea, sitting on the toilet for long periods, pregnancy
- Medical condition (new).diagnosis
Article
19 sectionsContents
- Signs and symptoms
- External
- Internal
- Causes
- Pathophysiology
- Diagnosis
- Internal
- External
- Differential
- Prevention
- Management
- Conservative
- Procedures
- Surgery
- Epidemiology
- History
- Notable cases
- References
- External links
Hemorrhoids (or haemorrhoids), also known as piles, are vascular structures in the anal canal. In their normal state, they are cushions that help with stool control. They become a disease when swollen or inflamed; the unqualified term hemorrhoid is often used to refer to the disease. The signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids depend on the type present. Internal hemorrhoids often result in painless, bright red rectal bleeding when defecating. External hemorrhoids often result in pain and swelling in the area of the anus. If bleeding occurs, it is usually darker. Symptoms frequently get better after a few days. A skin tag may remain after the healing of an external hemorrhoid.
While the exact cause of hemorrhoids remains unknown, a number of factors that increase pressure in the abdomen are believed to be involved. This may include constipation, diarrhea, and sitting on the toilet for long periods. Hemorrhoids are also more common during pregnancy. Diagnosis is made by looking at the area. Many people incorrectly refer to any symptom occurring around the anal area as hemorrhoids, and serious causes of the symptoms should be ruled out. Colonoscopy or sigmoidoscopy is reasonable to confirm the diagnosis and rule out more serious causes.