Internal Hemorrhoids, Where Do They Come From?

Hemorrhoids are dilated internal or external veins in the anus and rectum. Internal hemorrhoids are caused by increased pressure on these internal veins when straining to have a bowel movement, with constipation being one of the most common causes of internal hemorrhoids.       

Many people don’t even know they have internal hemorrhoids since there are no apparent symptoms that show up. If you do notice signs, it is usually blood on the toilet tissue after using the bathroom or feeling like something is hanging out of your butt. Still, it might be too late to treat them since internal hemorrhoids tend to get larger over time if not treated right away.

What are internal hemorrhoids?

Internal piles are swollen internal veins in the lower rectum and upper sigmoid colon lining. They are also known as internal hemorrhoids, internal piles, and internal hemorrhoidal veins. An internal hemorrhoid is a condition that arises internally within the Hemorrhoid tissue. In normal circumstances, they only develop in the lower rectum and anus area. Internal hemorrhoids often go overlooked because they are located inside the rectum and anus area, which covers them up.

What are external hemorrhoids?

External piles (also known as perianal piles) come out of the anus and form a lump outside it. If you were to poke at them, then they would hurt, and you might be able to see that there was a small blood clot inside each one. There is no muscle between internal and external hemorrhoids, so the pain from external hemorrhoids may be similar to internal ones until they start to go away, which usually takes about two weeks or so.

What is the difference between internal and external hemorrhoids?

Internal hemorrhoids are internal veins that show up inside the anus, whereas external piles are swollen internal veins that come out of the anus. They can cause pain, discomfort, and bleeding, whereas external piles do not usually cause these symptoms unless they become infected or thrombosed.

How do you treat internal hemorrhoids?

Internal hemorrhoid treatment aims primarily to reduce internal pile swelling, resolve pain, and stop internal piles from bleeding. The first line of treatment for internal piles is to try non-surgical treatments such as rubber band ligation or infrared coagulation. Other procedures are also available (cryosurgery, electrothermy, and surgery) that may be used if simple measures do not resolve your problem.

Internal hemorrhoids are one of the most common internal conditions, especially among people with constipation. Although internal hemorrhoids can occur at any age, once internal hemorrhoid symptoms appear, they won’t go away until appropriately treated, so be sure to get help for internal hemorrhoids right away. Internal and external hemorrhoids don’t always need medical treatment unless they cause severe pain, bleeding, or other problems.

If you were to visit a doctor to treat internal hemorrhoids, they would examine your anus and perform an internal examination. They would put their finger into your rectum to feel the inside surface of the rectum and lower part of your large intestine (sigmoid colon), looking for swollen veins (which indicate internal piles). The doctor might also look at the outside surface of your anus. This can be done through visual inspection or with a proctoscope, where they use infra-red light to see internal hemorrhoids on the outside. They might even use a sigmoidoscope, where they look from inside of your rectum into your bowel.

In most cases, internal piles respond very well to non-surgical treatments such as rubber band ligation and infrared coagulation. In some cases, these treatments do not work, but internal hemorrhoids may disappear without any treatment at all. Cryosurgery (freezing), electrotherm (burning), and surgery can also treat internal piles. These procedures can cause small amounts of bleeding and pain, usually stopping within a few days.

Ask your doctor about HemWell, an FDA-approved, pain-free treatment that’s permanent. If your provider doesn’t offer HemWell, we can assist you in finding one that does. Please visit our website to learn more about this life-changing treatment. Learn more about hemorrhoids.