subject: Factors That Cause Hemroids And Hemorrhoid Classification [print this page] Hemroids (also commonly known as piles) is the term given to the condition where the anorectal vessels (blood vessels around the lower rectum and anus) become swollen and inflamed. Hemroids then are some what similar to the condition of varicose veins of the leg where the veins also become distended and thus more prominent except that the swollen veins of hemroids occur around the anus.
Types of Hemroids
External Hemroids: these occur outside what is know as the anal verge and are associated with the following:
* Swelling and irritation
* Itching (usually due to skin irritation not hemroids)
* Thrombosis (when a blood clot develops and/or the vein ruptures)
Internal Hemroids: such hemroids occur within the rectum and involve the veins that drain the superior rectal arteries.Since there are no pain receptors in this area, internal hemroids are typically painless. Internal hemroids may present as fresh bleeding whilst passing stool. if left untreated internal hemroids may progress to more severe conditions such as:
* Prolapsed hemroids
* Strangulated hemroids
Prolapsed Hemroids: These are actually internal hemroids that have become so swollen and distended that they forced outside the anus. The very real danger from a prolapsed internal hemroid is that it may be trapped by anal sphincter muscle during a spasm which then cuts off the blood so that the hemroid now becomes what is known as a strangulated hemroid. Strangulated hemroids are very painful. Internal hemroids are also commonly categorized by the degree of prolapse. This grading method was developed by Banov and is as follows:
* Grade I: No prolapse of the hemroids
* Grade II: Hemroid prolapses during the process of defecation but spontaneously reduce
* Grade III: The hemroid prolapses during defecation and needs to be manually reduced
* Grade IV: Hemoids are permanently prolapsed and cannot be reduced
Who Gets Hemroids?
At some point in their lives almost three quarters (3/4ths) of adults in both the USA and Europe will have experienced hemroids. Hemroids are in fact quite common in both men and women over the age of 50 although they tend to occur much more frequently in men than women. It is during pregnancy that women most frequently get hemroids but fortunately the condition usually disappears once the pregnancy is over. Hemroids may also occur in children, teenagers and younger adults although far less frequently than in older people
What Causes Hemroids?
* Constipation
* Pregnancy
* Diarrhea
* Prolonged Period of Lifting Objects
* Anal Intercourse
* Prolonged Periods of Sitting
* Aging
* Hereditary
Signs And Symptoms of Hemroids
It is important to get a thorough check up and evaluation by a certified medical doctor if you suspect you have hemroids because several other conditions may present with very similar symptoms. Such conditions include several other anorectal conditions such as:
* Perianal Hematoma
* Anal fissures
* Anal fistulas
* Abscesses
* Pruritus ani (anal itching and irritation)
Symptoms
1. Painless Bleeding: this is perhaps the most common symptom of internal hemroids and manifests as bright red blood covering the feces, in the toilet bowl or on toilet paper. Note that bleeding on defecation may be an indication of some other serious condition such as colorectal cancer.
