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what are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins that occur in and around the anus and the lower part of the rectum. Here are the key points about hemorrhoids:

Types of Hemorrhoids

Internal Hemorrhoids: These form in the lining of the anus and lower rectum. They are typically painless unless they prolapse (fall through the anal opening), which can cause pain and discomfort2 4 5.
External Hemorrhoids: These form under the skin around the anus. They can be painful, especially if a blood clot forms inside them, and may cause symptoms such as anal itching, hard tender lumps near the anus, and anal pain2 4 5.

Causes

Hemorrhoids are often caused by increased pressure on the veins in the anal and rectal area. Common causes include:

Straining during bowel movements
Chronic constipation or diarrhea
Sitting on the toilet for long periods
A low-fiber diet
Weakening of the supporting tissues in the anus and rectum, which can occur with aging or pregnancy
Frequently lifting heavy objects
Being overweight2 4 5.

Symptoms

Symptoms vary depending on the type of hemorrhoid:

Internal Hemorrhoids: May cause bleeding from the rectum, seen as bright red blood in the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl. Prolapsed internal hemorrhoids can cause pain and discomfort2 4 5.
External Hemorrhoids: Can cause anal itching, hard tender lumps near the anus, and anal pain, especially when sitting. If a blood clot forms, it can lead to severe pain and may leave behind a skin tag after the clot dissolves2 4 5.

Prevalence

Hemorrhoids are common, affecting about 1 in 20 Americans. By age 50, approximately half of adults have experienced hemorrhoids3 5.

Complications

Possible complications include blood clots in external hemorrhoids, skin tags, infections of external hemorrhoids, strangulated hemorrhoids (where the blood supply to an internal hemorrhoid is cut off), and anemia due to chronic bleeding3 5.