The difference between rectal polyps and internal hemorrhoids

Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on September 28, 2024
00:00
00:00

Rectal polyps are skin-like mucosal protrusions that grow on the rectal mucosa, whereas internal hemorrhoids are confined to congestion and protrusion of the mucosa around the dentate line. The formation of rectal polyps is mainly due to long-term stimulation by feces, or certain constitutional and genetic factors, while the most likely cause of internal hemorrhoids is chronic congestion and edema around the anal area or the formation of venous thrombosis, leading to local varicose clusters. After the discovery of rectal polyps, it is necessary to perform surgery as soon as possible; however, the treatment for internal hemorrhoids in the early stages is primarily conservative, aimed at delaying the frequency of disease attacks and improving the quality of life for the patient. If the internal hemorrhoids reach a later stage or become severe, manifested by recurrent prolapse and rectal bleeding, surgical removal is recommended.

Other Voices

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
37sec home-news-image

How should internal hemorrhoids be effectively treated?

The treatment methods for internal hemorrhoids are mainly divided into conservative treatment and surgical treatment. Conservative treatments include oral medications or topical medications, mainly aimed at relieving symptoms such as bleeding or prolapse during the remission phase, without addressing the pathological site. Surgical options include hemorrhoidal ligation, hemorrhoidectomy, PPH (stapled hemorrhoidopexy), and injection therapy, all of which are surgeries targeting the hemorrhoids themselves, and their effectiveness is generally quite definitive.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
1min 10sec home-news-image

Does pressing on an internal hemorrhoid cause pain?

If internal hemorrhoids prolapse and become incarcerated or a thrombus forms locally, pressing on the area will cause pain, especially when the patient is walking or sitting, making the pain more apparent. For such cases, which are considered a severe stage of internal hemorrhoids, it's advisable to undertake surgical treatment as soon as possible. Clinically, treatment options for internal hemorrhoids include procedures like rubber band ligation, PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids), or TST (Transanal Hemorrhoidal Dearterialization), with continued dressing changes required post-surgery. However, if the prolapsed internal hemorrhoids can retract spontaneously or can be manually reduced, pressing on them generally does not cause pain because internal hemorrhoids are located above the dentate line in the anal canal, an area innervated by autonomic nerves, which are less sensitive to pain. In the absence of inflammation or thrombosis, pressing on the area will not typically cause pain. In such cases, patients should develop good bowel habits to prevent the further worsening of internal hemorrhoids.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
38sec home-news-image

How to reposition a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid?

Some internal hemorrhoids that prolapse can retract on their own, corresponding to second-degree internal hemorrhoids. If manual repositioning is required, these are typically third-degree or fourth-degree internal hemorrhoids. Third-degree internal hemorrhoids need to be manually repositioned because the external anal sphincter obstructs the retraction of the hemorrhoids. Generally, the method of taking a warm water sitz bath is used to relax the external anal sphincter, after which the hemorrhoids can be manually repositioned. During repositioning, applying some paraffin oil can facilitate the process, making it easier to accomplish.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
36sec home-news-image

Is a severe internal hemorrhoid prolapse?

Internal hemorrhoids mainly refer to soft venous masses that occur above the dentate line, formed by congestion, dilation, and varicosity of the superior rectal venous plexus. The primary symptoms are rectal bleeding and prolapse of the lump outside the anus. Prolapse of internal hemorrhoids is one of the indications for surgery, meaning that if there is rectal bleeding or prolapse outside the anus at the dentate line, surgical treatment is required. Thus, internal hemorrhoids are considered severe if there is a prolapse, necessitating surgical treatment.

doctor image
home-news-image
Written by Yu Xu Chao
Colorectal Surgery
1min 9sec home-news-image

How to relieve pain and swelling from internal hemorrhoids prolapse?

Internal hemorrhoids prolapse with pain and swelling. This is often due to inflammatory edema or thrombosis caused by the prolapse, which leads to pain and swelling. At this time, you can choose to apply lidocaine gel externally or apply golden ointment externally for anti-swelling and analgesic effects. You can also choose to insert sodium diclofenac suppositories into the anus, which has anti-inflammatory and analgesic effects, and take diosmin tablets orally to relieve anal swelling, as well as use anal cleansers or potassium permanganate solution for sitz baths to eliminate local bacteria and secretions, and reduce local infectious inflammation. After using the medication, it is still recommended to go to the hospital's proctology department as soon as possible for treatments like internal hemorrhoid banding, PPH, or TST, because the swelling of prolapsed internal hemorrhoids indicates a severe condition, and mere medication alone cannot achieve effective treatment outcomes.