Hemorrhoids: Frequently Asked Questions

1. What are hemorrhoids?

First, hemorrhoids are similar, but not exactly the same as, varicose veins. Hemorrhoids, generally occur in the rectal region – bloated, enlarged blood vessel of the lower rectum and anal duct, to be clinically accurate.

The blood vessels in this region of your body are fairly flexible and stretchable to be suitable with the stool expanding and constricting. This is why a hemorrhoid can only happen in this area of the body – no other blood vessels in your vascular system can stretch as much and become so large when filled with blood.

To better understand hemorrhoids, imagine of the hemorrhoid as the most frail part of a diluted area of the veins – such as when straining on the toilet. Once stretched and if not able to return to its original shape and size, it is then called a hemorrhoid. The more blood vessels are filled with blood, the more hemorrhoids you have.

2. What are external hemorrhoids?

If the enlarged blood vessel is outside the rectum, but nearly closes in the opening, it is called an external hemorrhoid. Particularly, external hemorrhoids have three main symptoms: They are observed as small bleeding regions that happen beneath the skin close to the anus that can be felt as rigid bulges. They also do not present through the opening, but are formed on the lining, just situated outside and, since external hemorrhoids form in the often tinted area of the skin near the opening, they are often plum or brownish.

Some doctors argue in calling a varicose vein on the upper part of the leg as a hemorrhoid- but this is a different way of using the clinical term.

3. What are internal hemorrhoids?

If the enlarged blood vessel is inside, the hemorrhoids are called internal hemorrhoids, even though they can bleed, they are rarely painful unless irritated or has blood coagulation.

Internal hemorrhoids only happen in the last 5 centimeters of your anus. That’s why a doctor can easily test you for internal hemorrhoids. This is crucial since a lot of patients are mistakenly informed that internal hemorrhoids are fairly long, huge, enormous things, that trips over deep inside the anal duct.

4. What are prolapsed hemorrhoids?

If the enlarged blood vessel is internal, but protrudes outside where you can see it, it is called a prolapsed hemorrhoid and, they are basically red in appearance.

5. What are thrombosed hemorrhoids?

Finally, the last kind of hemorrhoids you’ll probably need to be oriented about are hemorrhoids that are known as thrombosed hemorrhoids. Thrombosed hemorrhoids are hemorrhoids that have coagulated blood inside them, and they are severely painful.

6. Are Hemorrhoids Tumors?

No. Hemorrhoid are not tumors. However, you should not completely ignore any kind of hemorrhoid as it can be a warning sign of a more serious health problem.