: Believe it or not, everyone has had a normal hemorrhoidal tissue in their rectum and anus. It helps us to control bowel function. It’s only when your hemorrhoidal veins enlarge and become varicose veins that they’re considered abnormal or diseased.
When hemorrhoids become inflamed, they can become painful, especially if they’re located externally. Other symptoms include anal itching, bleeding and prolapse. Unfortunately, over 10 million people suffer from inflamed hemorrhoids every year. How can something so small cause so much pain and discomfort?
There are three types of hemorrhoids – internal, external, and mixed hemorrhoids that consist of both internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids occur above dentate line of the rectum and anal area. In contrast, external hemorrhoids are located on the outside of the body where the skin has very sensitive nerve endings.
Internal hemorrhoids are graded from I to IV based on the degree of prolapse. Grade I hemorrhoids usually don’t have bulge with defecation; grade II lesions also bulge with defecation, but then recede spontaneously. Grade III hemorrhoids require digital replacement after prolapsing, while grade IV hemorrhoids cannot be replaced once prolapsed. There are many treatment options for internal hemorrhoids that vary based on the severity of each case.
External hemorrhoids are those that occur outside the anal verge and affect bowel cleansing after one’s bowel movement, causing skin irritation and itching. A thrombosed external hemorrhoid is usually very painful due to rupture of one’s varicose veins, which causes blood clots and is often accompanied with swelling and irritation. These external hemorrhoids are typically treated with either an incision or removal of the clot, or with an external hemorrhoidectomy performed under local anesthesia.
Procedure Clinic is the specialized clinic that focuses on office procedures in Minneapolis, Minnesota and Orlando, Florida. We provide complete care for all types of hemorrhoids and other common anorectal diseases with minimally invasive approaches. Dr. Shu has more than 20 years of experience in hemorrhoid care—regardless of how severe your hemorrhoids are, the kind of hemorrhoids you’re dealing with, or if you’re battling any anorectal diseases, we’ll help you find a solution.
