| credits: google photos
Haemorrhoids
are swollen blood vessels in or around the anus and rectum. The
haemorrhoidal veins are located in the lowest part of the rectum and the
anus. Sometimes, they swell so that the vein walls become stretched,
thin, and irritated by passing bowel movements. Haemorrhoids are
classified into two general categories: internal and external.
Internal haemorrhoids lie far enough
inside the rectum that you can’t see or feel them. They don’t usually
hurt because there are few pain-sensing nerves in the rectum. Bleeding
may be the only sign that they are there. Sometimes internal
haemorrhoids prolapse, or enlarge and protrude outside the anal
sphincter. If so, you may be able to see or feel them as moist, pink
pads of skin that are pinker than the surrounding area. Prolapsed
haemorrhoids may hurt because they become irritated by rubbing from
clothing and sitting. They usually recede into the rectum on their own;
if they don’t, they can be gently pushed back into place.
External haemorrhoids lie within the
anus and are often uncomfortable. If an external haemorrhoid prolapses
to the outside (usually in the course of passing a stool), you can see
and feel it. Blood clots sometimes form within prolapsed external
haemorrhoids, causing an extremely painful condition called a
thrombosis. If an external haemorrhoid becomes thrombosed, it can look
rather frightening, turning purple or blue, and could possibly bleed.
Despite their appearance, thrombosed haemorrhoids are usually not
serious and will resolve themselves in about a week. If the pain is
unbearable, the thrombosed haemorrhoid can be removed with surgery,
which stops the pain.
