External Hemorrhoids
External Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels around the anus. They are extremely common as over half of the adult population will experience external hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. However, their prevalence does not make them any less annoying. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include pain, bleeding, irritation, burning, and discomfort. External Hemorrhoids are under the skni around the anus.)
What causes External hemorrhoids?
External Hemorrhoids are typically caused by an increase in pressure on the veins of the pelvic and rectal area. As pressure in this area increases, blood begins to pool in the veins causing them to stretch and swell. Eventually, the tissue in the anal area can no longer hold the swollen veins. Tiny sacs called external hemorrhoids form. Constipation and diarrhea are common causes of hemorrhoids as frequent straining to pass stools increases pressure in the rectal area. Pregnancy, heavy lifting, prolonged periods of sitting or standing, and obesity are all associated with the development of external hemorrhoids.
External Hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids occur in the veins around the anus. They can be itchy and painful and occasionally, an external hemorrhoid will crack or bleed. They are characterized by swelling or a hard lump around the rectum. This lump is the result of a blood clot in the hemorrhoid (called a thrombosed hemorrhoid.) This lump will look like an oversized blueberry and it can be quite irritating and painful.
External Hemorrhoid Treatment
External hemorrhoids do not usually bleed unless they burst and cause blood to pool under the skin. This occurs in thrombosed or clotted external hemorrhoids. A doctor may remove or open the lump of a clotted hemorrhoid to lessen the pain and speed recovery. Opening the clot also helps to remove the contents and alleviate pressure on the hemorrhoid. If the lump is not removed within a few days, it will usually lessen on its own. The skin covering the lump may burst open and cause bleeding. This bleeding will typically stop in about a week.
Occasionally, a skin tag will form when the skin covering a external hemorrhoid remains stretched and out of shape, even after the hemorrhoid goes away. If the skin tag becomes swollen and tender, it may become difficult to clean around them. In this instance, a doctor may remove the skin tag to avoid any skin irritation, itching, or burning that may arise.
Surgical and Natural Treatment of External Hemorrhoids
Depending upon the type of hemorrhoid that develops, there are different techniques that can be used to alleviate or remove hemorrhoids. Procedures include: Clot Removal, Rubber Band Ligation, Sclerotherapy, Laser Coagulation, Infrared Coagulation, Hemorrhoidectomy, or PPH (Procedure for Prolapse and Hemorrhoids.)
- Clot Removal: This is a minor procedure performed on external hemorrhoids that can usually be done right in the doctor’s office. The doctor will apply a local anesthetic and cut out the clot. Little recovery time is required for this procedure.
- Sclerotherapy: Also known as injection therapy, this procedure is used for curing small external hemorrhoids. It can be performed simultaneously on multiple hemorrhoids, however, it is not as effective on larger hemorrhoids. Sclerotherapy involves the injection of a hardening agent into the base of the hemorrhoid that cuts off circulation.
- Laser or Infrared Coagulation: These techniques use either a laser or an infrared light to burn off the troublesome hemorrhoid and destroy external hemorrhoid tissue.
- Hemorrhoidectomy: Hemorrhoid Surgery, also known as Hemorrhoidectomy, is typically utilized only for severe cases of external hemorrhoids. It is usually recommended for large internal or external hemorrhoids, or for hemorrhoids that present extreme symptoms of pain or itching. During this procedure, the hemorrhoid is surgically removed under either local or general anesthesia.
- PPH: Procedure For Prolapse And Hemorrhoids. This procedure is also known Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy, Stapled Hemorrhoidectomy, and Circumferential Mucosectomy. PPH is a technique that reduces the prolapse of hemorrhoidal tissue by excising a band of the prolapsed membrane with a stapling device. Basically, the excess tissue is removed and the remaining hemorrhoidal tissue is stapled, allowing the hemorrhoid to return to its original anatomical position.
- Natural External Hemorrhoid Treatment: The product Hematrex was developed to help shrink the swollen veins associated with External Hemorrhoids.