Hemorrhoids are inflammation of the mucus membranes and intestinal tissues that surround the veins of the anal walls. The lumps are also called piles. This medical condition may be associated with bleeding, itching, and changes in stool appearance.
Yearly, millions of Americans suffer from the pain and discomfort of this medical condition. About 5% of the population in the U.S. alone has sought treatment every year. However, a large majority does not seek treatment. One of the possible reasons why most sufferers do not seek medical attention is the absence of specific symptoms.
Causes
•Diet
•Excessive alcohol intake
•Pregnancy
•Straining during bowel movements
•Obesity
•Improper posture
•Anal sex without proper lubrication
•Rectal surgery
•Aging
•Hepatic disease
•Colon malignancy
Symptoms
There are different types of lump formation. External piles may not exhibit symptoms. If sufferers observe the symptoms, it can indicate that the lump has increased in growth. The lumps may become painful and itchy. These lumps are prone to thrombosis, wherein the veins rupture and result to blood clots. There will also be the presence of swelling and inflammation. However, they rarely ulcerate. It might be difficult to cleanse the anal area.
Internal piles are also painless but there can be a presence of blood when irritated. It can cause discomfort and mucus discharge.
Another classification of piles is referred to as prolapsed piles. These are actually internal piles that become distended and were pushed out to the anal canal.
On the other hand, strangulated piles develop when there is spasm in the anal sphincter muscle. It can also occur when there is protrusion and constriction, causing a disruption in blood circulation. This can cause extreme pain and usually followed by ulceration and necrosis.
Rectal Ulcers
The presence of blood in the stools may indicate the presence of piles. However, it can be an indication of more serious medical conditions, so a visit to the doctor is in order
There is another condition, called solitary rectal ulcer syndrome, which can also cause bleeding and alter stool appearance, researchers have yet to determine the correlation of the presence of piles to rectal ulcers.
Ulcers are basically sores and in the case of rectal ulcer, there is a sore in the rectum or rectal area. This is a disorder that is not very common and symptoms are often likened to those that indicate the presence of hemorrhoids.
Signs and symptoms include pain, a feeling of incomplete passing of stool, mucus discharge, bleeding, and straining during bowel movements. The last symptom is one of the identified causes of the development of piles.
But doctors say that often times, patients suffering from rectal ulcers do not manifest symptoms.
Stomach Ulcers and Intestinal Ulcers
Blood in the stool can also be indicative of stomach ulcers and intestinal ulcers. Bleeding occurs when the stomach enlarges and erodes through a blood vessel.
Ulcerative Colitis
Inflammation caused by tiny ulcerations can also cause bleeding in the rectal area.
While the occurrence of hemorrhoids might not manifest obvious symptoms, it is important that the moment there are irregularities observed in the stools like bleeding, immediate consultation has to be initiated for proper diagnosis.
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