Hemoroids: What are they and who they affect are just some of the basic things people must know about this medical condition.
Hemoroids: What are they in simple terms, are enlarged veins within the anal area of an individual. When these veins are pressured more than they should, they expand and when they do not return to their normal size, hemorrhoid happens. The number of expanded veins is the number of hemorrhoids one will have. It can be one or they can be many tiny clumps.
Hemoroids: What are they and their types are important information for people to know as over ten million people all over the world are affected by this condition at varying times. These types are known as the internal hemorrhoid, the prolapsed internal hemorrhoid, the external hemorrhoid, and the thrombosed hemorrhoid which is the worst kind of an external hemorrhoid.
Internal Hemorrhoids
* an internal hemorrhoid seldom show clear physical symptoms or signs
* they are located inside the anal cavity, but around two inches down the opening
* may also bleed because of straining
* are seldom painful unless already infected or are thrombosed
* are classified into four:
o Grade 1 – does not protrude, but may bleed
o Grade 2 – may protrude, but will go back right in, and may also bleed
o Grade 3 – may protrude, but will need to be pushed gently back in, and will bleed more
o Grade 4 – will often protrude and bleed more.
Prolapsed Internal Hemorrhoid
* this is an internal type of hemorrhoid, but the hemorrhoid may hang out from the anal opening
* they may also bleed specially when straining during a bowel movement
* often reddish or reddish pink in color
External Hemorrhoids
* the enlarged vein or veins are located right outside the anal opening or within the rim of the anus
* they commonly appear as a hard lump or a tiny cluster of lumps
* they often appear bloody or may bleed when person strains during bowel movement
* develops within the darkened area of skin near the anus
* are brownish in color
Thrombosed Hemorrhoids
* a thrombosed hemorrhoid commonly is an external type of hemorrhoid
* so-called because of the thrombosis or blood clot that they have
* are known to be very painful and very uncomfortable
* appears dark blue, purplish blue, dark red, or black because of the blood clot
* this type often needs immediate attention and treatment because of its condition
* children and pregnant women are more inclined to get this kind of hemorrhoid
A hemorrhoid sometimes develops partly inside and partly outside of the anal opening or anus and is called confluent hemorrhoid. This type, however, very rarely happens to anyone and not much is known about this kind of hemorrhoid.
A mixed hemorrhoid, on the other hand, is the kind that affects people who have both the internal and the external type of hemorrhoid at the same time. A confluent hemorrhoid is also labeled as a mixed hemorrhoid because of the similar characteristics.
Generally, hemorrhoids are pea-sized or may even be as large as a grape. Sometimes they appear wrinkly, flat, or full or lumpy. In external or thrombosed hemorrhoid, they are hard clumps and are often very sensitive to touch, even with a piece of tissue or soft cloth. That is why they often need to be wiped gently because of their tendency to be sensitive and easy to bleed.
Also, some people have the tendency to either panic right away when they notice symptoms or signs that almost resemble those of hemorrhoids. The best thing to do is to have themselves checked by a physician right away to get the correct diagnosis and treatment.
Hemorrhoids for most people are embarrassing medical conditions to ask a doctor about. But it is rather important that they do it right away as most hemorrhoids in their early stages are easily treated once they are correctly diagnosed. Interestingly, most of these treatments, unless the condition is already severe as in the thrombosed hemorrhoid, can be done right at the comfort of one’s home as long as the correct type of hemorrhoid or piles has already been identified. So, to get the correct treatment, one must know and understand hemoroids: what are they and their types.