Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsCausesSymptomsWhen to Seek CareMedical TreatmentHome RemediesPrevention
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Causes
Symptoms
When to Seek Care
Medical Treatment
Home Remedies
Prevention
Hemorrhoidsoccur when pressure from straining causes veins in the rectum and anus to swell and bulge.About 40% of people with hemorrhoids have no symptoms. For those with internal hemorrhoids, bleeding is the most common sign.
Most of the time, hemorrhoids can be treated at home. Serious cases may require in-office procedures likeelectrocauteryor surgeries like ahemorrhoidectomy.
This article describes the causes and symptoms of hemorrhoids. It also explains when it is time to see a healthcare provider along with the various treatment options.
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What Are the Causes of Bleeding Hemorrhoids?
The anal canal is lined with hemorrhoidal tissues that consist of muscles, connective tissues, and a network of blood vessels. Whenever pressure is exerted on these tissues, such as when you are passing a stool, the tissues will swell.
In most cases, the tissues will return to their normal size after the pressure eases. However, when excessive or prolonged pressure is placed, the vessels inside the tissues can bulge and cause an abnormal pile, known as a hemorrhoid.
Common causes of hemorrhoids include:
Bleeding can occur as a passing stool nicks a blood vessel in the swollen pile. The same can occur with straining, causing the thinned walls of a blood vessel to spontaneously burst and bleed.
What Are the Symptoms of Bleeding Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids can be internal (situated inside the anal canal or lower rectum) or external (situated outside of the anal canal). In some cases, an internal hemorrhoid can bulge outside of the anal canal, causing aprolapsed hemorrhoid.
Bleeding is common with internal hemorrhoids. The bleeding is generally painless and causes streaks of bright red blood:
Dark red blood is a sign of bleeding higher up in the digestive tract. These are far more concerning and require immediate medical attention.
Thrombosed Hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids are more likely to be painful but less likely to bleed. However, bleeding can occur if there is athrombosed hemorrhoid. This is a type of hemorrhoid caused when ablood clotobstructs a vein in or around the anal canal.
When these hemorrhoids bleed, the blood will usually be darker because the blood inside will have pooled and oxidized. You may also notice tiny clots on toilet paper or stools.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
While rectal bleeding is a common symptom of hemorrhoids, it can also be a symptom of other conditions, including ones that may be more serious.
As such, you should contact your healthcare provider if:
When Immediate Care Is NeededSeek immediate medical care if you experience the following signs or symptoms:Severe rectal bleedingSevere anal or rectal painFever with chillsHeart palpitationCold sweatsPallor (pale skin)Dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintingSevere abdominal painBloody or tarry stools
When Immediate Care Is Needed
Seek immediate medical care if you experience the following signs or symptoms:Severe rectal bleedingSevere anal or rectal painFever with chillsHeart palpitationCold sweatsPallor (pale skin)Dizziness, lightheadedness, or faintingSevere abdominal painBloody or tarry stools
Seek immediate medical care if you experience the following signs or symptoms:
Medical Treatments for Bleeding Hemorrhoids
If bleeding is the main concern, medications may be of little help other than to ease pain. In such cases, an in-office or surgical procedure may be needed.
In-Office Procedures
Surgery
Hemorrhoid surgery is generally performed on an outpatient basis with local or regional anesthesia. Options include:
Ways to Treat Bleeding Hemorrhoids at Home
Hemorrhoids often respond well to self-care treatments. This may involve diet and lifestyle changes, simple home remedies, and over-the-counter (OTC) medications.
Lifestyle and Diet
Increasing your fluid intake is also important asdehydrationis a leading cause of constipation. Most adults should aim to drink at least eight 8-ounce glasses of fluids per day. Plain water is best.
One of the most effective ways to ease hemorrhoidal pain is with asitz bath. A sitz bath is a shallow pan you sit in that usually fits over the seat of your toilet. Sitting in lukewarm water can promote circulation and aid with the healing of inflamed and damaged tissues.
Sitting in a bathtub filled with a few inches of lukewarm water can also work.
For severe pain and swelling, try applying acold compressto your anus for 10 to 15 minutes several times a day. This helps shrink blood vessels, reducing swelling and helping stem minor bleeding.
OTC Medications
Options include:
Reducing inflammation and shrinking blood vessels may also help stem minor bleeding.
Hemorrhoids Home Remedies and OTC Treatment
Ways to Prevent Bleeding Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can’t always be prevented, but practicing the following measures may help reduce the risk orstop them from getting worse.
Preventive measures include:
Summary
Bleeding is a common symptom ofinternal hemorrhoids. It is usually painless and causes bright red streaks of blood on stools or toilet paper. Hemorrhoids tend to respond well to home remedies, but severe cases may require medical treatments, including surgery.
5 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemorrhoids.Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: Presentation and management.Clinic Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):22-29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144American Academy of Family Physicians.Hemorrhoids.MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.
5 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemorrhoids.Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: Presentation and management.Clinic Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):22-29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144American Academy of Family Physicians.Hemorrhoids.MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemorrhoids.Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: Presentation and management.Clinic Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):22-29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144American Academy of Family Physicians.Hemorrhoids.MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.
Johns Hopkins Medicine.Hemorrhoids.
Sun Z, Migaly J.Review of hemorrhoid disease: Presentation and management.Clinic Colon Rectal Surg. 2016;29(1):22-29. doi:10.1055/s-0035-1568144
American Academy of Family Physicians.Hemorrhoids.
MedlinePlus.Hemorrhoids.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases.Treatment of hemorrhoids.
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