External hemorrhoids are those occur outside the anal verge. External hemorrhoids usually affect the cleansing after the bowel movement and cause the skin irritation and itching. The thrombosed external hemorrhoids occur if the varicose veins rupture and the blood clots develop, it is often accompanied by swelling and irritation.
Internal hemorrhoids are graded from I to IV based on the degree of prolapse.
Although anal pain is a common sign of anorectal disease, internal hemorrhoids are usually not painful due to being located above the dentate line of the rectum. Hemorrhoid patients may have mild aching pain and discomfort when hemorrhoids flare up. The pain could be more severe when complications develop, such as thrombosis, infection and sphincter spasm (Proctalgia Fugax).
Hemorrhoids are probably the most common reason for having a rectal lump. It can be caused by internal hemorrhoids, but more commonly by external hemorrhoids. If a rectal lump is related to internal hemorrhoids, it usually gets bigger and more prolapsed right after the bowel movement; it could be spontaneously reduced in the early stage of internal hemorrhoids. But it could be non-reducible in the late stage of hemorrhoids. It may be associated with other symptoms such as bleeding, itch or pain. The thrombosed external hemorrhoids usually have very painful lump.
Rectal bleeding is the most common symptom of hemorrhoids. The severity of rectal bleeding varies widely. Besides hemorrhoids, many other conditions also cause rectal bleeding, including ruptured thrombosed external hemorrhoids, fissures, diverticulosis, colon cancer, colitis, polyps and angiodysplasias, however even the slightest amount of bleeding should be taken seriously.
Anal itching, or pruritis, is one of the most common symptoms related to hemorrhoid disease in Minnesota. Anal itching is instigated by the anal skin inflammation triggered by the hemorrhoids. Excessive wiping and scratching further damage the perianal skin and causes chronic dermatitis. Over use of OTC hemorrhoid cream containing steroid can cause the damage in the perianal skin. The patients may develop the true complication called Pruritic Ani with persistent cyclic anal itching.
Thrombosed External hemorrhoid
Thrombosed external hemorrhoid occurs when the enlarged hemorrhoidal venous complex ruptures, a blood clot can then form in the hemorrhoid. Thrombosed hemorrhoids are usually quite painful, and it requires immediate surgical intervention to remove the blood clot.
Anemia
Chronic blood loss from hemorrhoids may cause anemia, resulting in fatigue and weakness. We had a few cases in Minnesota in the past few years that developed severe iron deficiency anemia due to hemorrhoidal bleeding, and their Hemoglobin dropped to as low as 5 or 6.
Strangulated hemorrhoid
When the hemorrhoids are so severe that they prolapse, it leads to the anal sphincter spasm due to pain and irritation. Persistent sphincter spasm can cut off blood supply to an internal hemorrhoid which causes more swelling of hemorrhoid tissue, it turns into a vicious cycle. Eventually, the hemorrhoid may be “strangulated,” which can cause extreme pain and lead to tissue death.
Infection
The local inflammation triggered by the bulging hemorrhoids causes the swelling and erosion of anorectal mucosa, which may increase the chance of infection. Opportunistic bacteria and microorganisms established on feces and the surrounding might attack and flourish in the damaged tissue.
External hemorrhoids usually affect the cleansing after the bowel movement and cause the skin irritation and itching. The patients may feel the lumps near or around the anus.
Anal skin tags are flaps of skin or flesh found around the anus. The tags are usually flesh colored and hang in the opening of the anus by a stalk or stem that supplies the blood to the tag. Anal skin tags are usually associated with hemorrhoids or other anorectal problems.
Causes of anal tags include:
External hemorrhoids develop below the dentate line and outside the anal verge. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids occur if varicose veins rupture and blood clots develop. It is often accompanied by swelling with a bluish-purplish discoloration and severe pain.