Overview

Bloody swellings encountered inside the rectum and around the anus

Types

External: A thrombosed external hemorrhoid is a hemorrhoid with multiple blood clots that can be seen and felt under the skin around your anus. It is usually moderately to severely painful.
Internal: forms a cushion of blood vessels in the lining of the anal canal.
There are several types:

  • Grade I: No prolapse, just prominent blood vessels
  • Grade II: Prolapse (protruding) upon bearing down, but spontaneous reduction
  • Grade III: Prolapse upon bearing down requiring manual reduction
  • Grade IV: Prolapse with inability to be manually reduced

Symptoms

  • Bleeding after passing stool
  • Mucous discharge
  • Redness, soreness/pain and swelling around the anus
  • Lump hanging down outside the anus
  • Pruritus ani

Causes

  • Constipation (difficulty emptying the bowel), long-term diarrhea, obesity, age,
  • familial history, pregnancy, lifting heavy objects, sitting for extended periods of time - not proven -

Statistics

  • 30-40% prevalence rate in the USA alone
  • 75% of people will suffer from hemorrhoids in their lives*
  • Extrapolated numbers on some European countries ** (see below)

* http://www.niddk.nih.gov/health-information/health-topics/digestive-diseases/hemorrhoids/Pages/facts.aspx
** http://www.rightdiagnosis.com/h/hemorrhoids/stats-country.htm