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Internal hemorrhoids
Can internal hemorrhoids that protrude outside the anus be cured by taking medicine?
Internal hemorrhoids that prolapse outside the anus cannot be cured by medication alone. This is because when internal hemorrhoids prolapse, it indicates a significant pathological enlargement and downward displacement of the anal cushions, which are structural changes. Merely taking medication will not result in significant improvement; surgery is the primary option at this point. For this condition, surgical options such as PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids) or TST (Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization) can be employed. Consistent postoperative care and dressing changes can facilitate recovery. Because prolapsed internal hemorrhoids are located at the anal opening, if not treated surgically, they can lead to impaired blood flow, which may cause incarceration leading to edema or thrombosis, and even potentially result in infected necrosis. Therefore, early surgical intervention is required for prolapsed internal hemorrhoids. Additionally, patients should regularly perform anal sphincter exercises, avoid straining excessively during bowel movements, and not spend too much time on the toilet.
Does bleeding after defecation followed by a feeling of discomfort in the anus indicate internal hemorrhoids?
Bleeding after bowel movements followed by discomfort in the anus may be due to internal hemorrhoids, but could also indicate ulcerative proctitis, rectal cancer, or infections around the anus. To confirm the diagnosis, it is necessary to conduct a thorough examination with a digital colonoscopy. Based on the results of the colonoscopy, appropriate treatment measures can be taken. If the symptoms are caused by internal hemorrhoids, surgical treatment may be considered. For diseases like ulcerative colitis, treatment with salicylate preparations may also be used.
Why is it difficult to cure internal hemorrhoids bleeding?
Internal hemorrhoids refer to the soft venous masses formed by the dilation and varicosity of the hemorrhoidal venous plexus located beneath the mucosa at the end of the rectum, above the dentate line of the anus. Once these masses have formed, they contain blood vessels which can rupture, leading to bleeding during bowel movements, evident as blood mixed with stool. Once these pathological masses have formed, it is very difficult to completely heal them with medication alone; surgical removal of these venous masses is required to prevent recurrent bleeding. Therefore, if conservative treatment is applied, it only slightly alleviates symptoms. If any triggering factors are present, bleeding may recur.
How long does it take for internal hemorrhoids to reposition after being pushed back in?
This situation mainly depends on how much the internal hemorrhoids have prolapsed and the severity of the prolapse. If the internal hemorrhoids can be pushed back in after prolapsing, it generally takes half an hour to an hour to reposition them. However, if the patient overexerts themselves or strains during coughing or defecation, the internal hemorrhoids may prolapse again. For patients whose internal hemorrhoids repeatedly prolapse, it is advisable to consider surgical treatment as soon as possible. Because repeated prolapse of internal hemorrhoids can lead to further pathological hypertrophy and descent of the anal cushion, in such cases of organic lesions, simple repositioning cannot solve the problem. It may even cause the prolapse to become larger over time and lead to complications like incarcerated edema, resulting in local thrombosis, swelling, and anal pain. Therefore, for patients with repeated prolapse, it is recommended to visit the hospital's colorectal surgery department for surgical treatment as soon as possible, such as internal hemorrhoid ligation, TST, and other surgical methods.
Will internal hemorrhoids be painful?
If internal hemorrhoids experience local mucosal rupture or repeated prolapse leading to friction of the mucosa, it is likely to cause pain and even bleeding. To avoid pain caused by internal hemorrhoids, it is recommended that patients use hemorrhoid suppositories for local administration in the rectum for early flare-ups to reduce swelling, relieve pain, and cool and stop bleeding. If internal hemorrhoids prolapse and cannot retract back into the anal canal on their own after each prolapse, it is suggested that patients consider surgery to ligate and excise the affected internal hemorrhoids, or inject sclerosants under the mucosa of the hemorrhoids to cause local mucosal consolidation and shedding. Patients with internal hemorrhoids are advised not to strain excessively during bowel movements to avoid worsening local congestion and edema.
What foods should be avoided if there is bleeding from internal hemorrhoids?
Internal hemorrhoids bleeding is the main clinical symptom of internal hemorrhoids; the amount of bleeding can vary greatly and is usually bright red. It can spray out or drip out. Patients with internal hemorrhoids bleeding are advised to avoid eating chili peppers and drinking alcohol. This is because chili peppers contain a component called capsaicin, which strongly irritates the gastrointestinal mucosa and can dilate blood vessels, exacerbating the bleeding. Alcohol can also dilate blood vessels and worsen the bleeding.
The harm of internal hemorrhoids prolapse
Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids are one of the main clinical manifestations of internal hemorrhoids, and their harm is mainly manifested in two aspects: Firstly, the prolapse of hemorrhoidal tissue outside the anus can lead to perianal skin eczema and itching, and anal eczema. Secondly, it can lead to incarcerated hemorrhoids, where the prolapsed internal hemorrhoid, held by the sphincter, forms congestion, and is accompanied by hardening of the hemorrhoidal tissue, pain, and even necrosis.
Precautions for Internal Hemorrhoids Bleeding
Rectal bleeding is the primary clinical manifestation of internal hemorrhoids. When rectal bleeding occurs, it's essential first to rule out whether the bleeding is definitely from internal hemorrhoids because rectal bleeding can be caused by many diseases, including malignant tumors. Once it's determined that the bleeding is from internal hemorrhoids, it is important to pay attention to whether the volume of blood is large, the duration of bleeding is long, and the frequency of bleeding is high, and whether there is frequent or daily bleeding. If so, it will exceed the body's ability to replenish blood through its hematopoietic function, leading to severe systemic anemia.
"Internal hemorrhoids prolapse" means internal hemorrhoids have slipped downwards, typically so they protrude outside the anus.
Prolapse of internal hemorrhoids refers to the condition where the hemorrhoidal mass of internal hemorrhoids protrudes outside the anus. This condition occurs only in internal hemorrhoids of grade II or higher. Grade II internal hemorrhoids can spontaneously retract back inside the anus after defecation without the need for manual reduction. Grade III internal hemorrhoids, however, do not retract spontaneously and should be manually reduced after cleaning and a period of bed rest. If the hemorrhoids remain prolapsed for a long time without timely reduction, it can lead to painful swelling around the anus. If a patient is unable to manually reduce the prolapsed hemorrhoids themselves, it can lead to incarcerated hemorrhoids, and medical assistance should be sought promptly.
Is bleeding from internal hemorrhoids serious?
Bleeding from internal hemorrhoids, also known as rectal bleeding, is a common primary symptom in patients with internal hemorrhoids. Although the bleeding from internal hemorrhoids is painless and not itchy, it occurs during bowel movements and can be either a trickle or a spray of blood. Although the amount of bleeding might not be large and may subside naturally, in clinical practice, we have seen a minority of patients with long-term chronic bleeding leading to severe anemia. For example, the normal hemoglobin level in adults should be 120g/L, but at the time of consultation, their hemoglobin has dropped to 30, 40, or 50g/L. Treatment then requires an initial blood transfusion followed by surgery, which can be quite complicated. Therefore, bleeding from internal hemorrhoids should be taken seriously.