What Are Hemorrhoids?
HemorrhoidHemorrhoid or hemorrhoids, refers to a condition where there is a presence of masses of dilated blood vessel underneath the lining of the skin in the anal canal or rectum. Studies have documented that the inflamed mass is actually composed of spongy vascular tissue with several direct arteriovenous connections. Hippocrates coined the term hemorrhoids from the Greek words hema meaning blood and rhoos meaning flowing.
Both men and women can have this kind of disease and it is extremely common and likely to be present in more than 50 percent of the population by 50 years of age. Traditionally, hemorrhoids have been referred as varicose veins of the rectum or varicosities of the hemorrhoid tissue.
All through history, hemorrhoids have plagued humankind, possibly beginning when we first learned how to be in upright position. During the Middle times, hemorrhoids were identified as St. Fiacre’s curse (St Fiacre, patron saint of gardeners, contracted a terrible case of prolapsed hemorrhoids after a day of toiling his garden).
Hemorrhoids are usually classified as two types, either internal or external. If hemorrhoids are internal, they occur above the anal sphincter, while those that occur below the anal sphincter are deemed external. One person can have both forms simultaneously. Typically, hemorrhoids are considered to be a chronic health problem, but you can have them acutely.
Internal hemorrhoids are within the right anterior, left lateral, and right posterior positions inside the anal canal. These positions within the anal canal are remarkably consistent. Usually, internal hemorrhoids are painful and most people don’t even know they have them, since that area doesn’t have pain receptors. If they get irritated, however, they might bleed. If they aren’t detected and treated right away, these may become strangulated or prolapsed, which is extremely serious.
External hemorrhoids occur outside of the anal verge. These can be painful, and often have irritation and swelling or with them. They may also itch, although this is not really a symptom of hemorrhoids but instead is because the skin has become irritated. If the dilated veins rupture or if a blood clot develops, this becomes a thrombosed hemorrhoid, a condition that occurs most often with external hemorrhage.
Hemorrhoids are classified by history and not as a result of physical exam. They are graded I through IV, mostly. Grade I may bleed but are not prolapsed, Grade II hemorrhoids are prolapsed and have spontaneous reduction, Grade III are prolapsed but can undergo manual reduction, and Grade IV has irreducible prolapse. These classifications have been around for many years and associate well with the treatment prescribed for each group. Usually, Grade I or II hemorrhoids can be treated effectively without surgery, while Grades III and IV usually will need surgery for intervention.
Many women experience hemorrhoids during the last trimester of the first pregnancy. Potential causes include impediment of venous return because of the enlarged uterus, hormonal changes because of pregnancy, and chronic straining. It’s not quite known what really causes them, but the majority of these types of hemorrhoid symptoms go away once women have given birth. If symptoms are particularly severe, surgery called a hemorrhoidectomy may be required; this is usually not dangerous to the mother and also poses little risk to the fetus.