Is bleeding from internal hemorrhoids serious?

Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
Updated on December 12, 2024
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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.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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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.

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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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.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can internal hemorrhoids lead to anemia?

Internal hemorrhoids bleeding easily leads to anemia in patients, especially when internal hemorrhoids bleed frequently and recurrently, or each bleeding episode is relatively severe, potentially causing a trend of decreased blood volume in patients. When blood volume reaches a certain threshold, symptoms of anemia can appear. If the anemia is assessed as mild or moderate, besides using local hemostatic hemorrhoid creams or suppositories, patients can also take oral traditional Chinese medicine that supplements qi and generates blood for symptomatic treatment, to enhance body immunity and physical constitution. If anemia primarily presents as severe, to avoid further exacerbation of anemia or impairment of overall organ functions, it is recommended that patients undergo surgical ligation for hemostasis and, if necessary, blood transfusion. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor.)

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Written by Deng Heng
Colorectal Surgery
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Will internal hemorrhoids affect menstruation?

Internal hemorrhoid bleeding can potentially affect menstruation. Although brief internal hemorrhoid bleeding does not affect menstruation, if the hemorrhoid bleeding is heavy, prolonged, frequent, and occurs daily or frequently, exceeding the body's ability to replace the lost blood, it can cause severe systemic anemia. In such cases, it might affect menstruation.

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Written by Chen Tian Jing
Colorectal Surgery
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Can I exercise more if I have internal hemorrhoids bleeding?

If the patient is in a period of internal hemorrhoids bleeding, it is not advised for the patient to engage in excessive exercise and physical training, as the local mucosa is ruptured and bleeding during this period. Excessive exercise can potentially increase the pressure inside the local blood vessels, thereby increasing the amount of bleeding or worsening the condition. During internal hemorrhoids bleeding, related hemostatic treatments are necessary to prevent anemia from long-term repeated bleeding. Treatment mainly involves oral or topical hemostatic drugs. In terms of exercise and training, it is recommended to primarily walk gently and avoid vigorous exercises. If conservative medication does not effectively treat the bleeding, surgical ligation can also be considered for hemostasis. (Please use medications under the guidance of a doctor.)