Before we explore in depth what external hemorrhoids are, it is essential to understand what hemorrhoids are in general.

If the veins around the anus or the lower rectum get swollen or inflamed it leads to a condition called hemorrhoids (piles).  Hemorrhoids can be categorized into two different kinds.

In the most lucid language, it can be said that the hemorrhoid that originates at the rectal or top side of the anal canal is the internal hemorrhoid, while if it originates at the lower end of the anal canal near the anus, it is referred to as external hemorrhoids.

Technically speaking, when the hemorrhoidal vessels become enlarged into a sac like protrusion under the skin around the anus, they form external hemorrhoids. Similarly, the protrusion of the vessels inside the rectal canal causes internal hemorrhoids.

The reasons why hemorrhoids form are not always very clear yet. However, if the blood pools in the external hemorrhoid forming a thrombus (clot), the same external hemorrhoid is termed as a thrombosed hemorrhoid.

The most common risk factor for such swelling is undoubtedly chronic constipation.  Other than this, the list below can also be either contributing factors or add to or bring on the problem of hemorrhoids:

• Cirrhosis of liver
• Anal infection
• Anal intercourse
• Overweight
• sneezing
• Coughing
• Vomiting
• Prolonged sitting
• pregnancy

The most important cause of concern here is the fact that the skin around external hemorrhoids is very sensitive and this can make the them much more painful than the internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids generally occur along the 3cm anal canal where the skin changes to mucous membrane.

Symptoms of External Hemorrhoids

Some of the most prominent symptoms for this condition include:

• Swelling
• Severe pain
• A hard lump with blue or purple tint in the anal region.

Together with this, there can be burning sensations, irritation and rectal itching in the area concerned. A common problem with external hemorrhoids is that they do not show clear symptoms in everyone and therefore, at times diagnosis becomes difficult.

In such cases, doctors generally ask for a brief medical history, as well as carrying out a physical examination and certain tests. A thorough evaluation and diagnosis is very important to get rid of this painful condition.

The general treatment of external hemorrhoids includes thermotherapy with the use of ice packs or a sitz bath several times a day. This can provide immense relief in pain and swelling. Other than these, stool softeners and lots of fibers and water in your diet can also be extremely helpful. Apart from these, itching and inflammation can often be alleviated with over-the-counter medicines and ointments.

In the case of thrombosed hemorrhoids, some pain medicines may also be prescribed since these external hemorrhoids are extremely painful. In extreme cases, surgery becomes unavoidable.

Most of the time, external hemorrhoids take several days to heal. To avoid such painful situations, it is recommended to use some preventive measures like reducing constipation. The best way to do this is to include a lot of fruits and fiber in your diet along with water, as well as performing regular exercises and rigorous walking activities. Keeping your stools soft will decrease pressure and straining and also the chances of getting Hemorrhoids.

Before we explore in depth what external hemorrhoids are, it is essential to understand what hemorrhoids are in general.

If the veins around the anus or the lower rectum get swollen or inflamed it leads to a condition called hemorrhoids (piles).  Hemorrhoids can be categorized into two different kinds.

In the most lucid language, it can be said that the hemorrhoid that originates at the rectal or top side of the anal canal is the internal hemorrhoid, while if it originates at the lower end of the anal canal near the anus, it is referred to as external hemorrhoids.

Technically speaking, when the hemorrhoidal vessels become enlarged into a sac like protrusion under the skin around the anus, they form external hemorrhoids. Similarly, the protrusion of the vessels inside the rectal canal causes internal hemorrhoids.

The reasons why hemorrhoids form are not always very clear yet. However, if the blood pools in the external hemorrhoid forming a thrombus (clot), the same external hemorrhoid is termed as a thrombosed hemorrhoid.

The most common risk factor for such swelling is undoubtedly chronic constipation.  Other than this, the list below can also be either contributing factors or add to or bring on the problem of hemorrhoids:

• Cirrhosis of liver
• Anal infection
• Anal intercourse
• Overweight
• sneezing
• Coughing
• Vomiting
• Prolonged sitting
• pregnancy

The most important cause of concern here is the fact that the skin around external hemorrhoids is very sensitive and this can make the them much more painful than the internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids generally occur along the 3cm anal canal where the skin changes to mucous membrane.

Symptoms of External Hemorrhoids

Some of the most prominent symptoms for this condition include:

• Swelling
• Severe pain
• A hard lump with blue or purple tint in the anal region.

Together with this, there can be burning sensations, irritation and rectal itching in the area concerned. A common problem with external hemorrhoids is that they do not show clear symptoms in everyone and therefore, at times diagnosis becomes difficult.

In such cases, doctors generally ask for a brief medical history, as well as carrying out a physical examination and certain tests. A thorough evaluation and diagnosis is very important to get rid of this painful condition.

The general treatment of external hemorrhoids includes thermotherapy with the use of ice packs or a sitz bath several times a day. This can provide immense relief in pain and swelling. Other than these, stool softeners and lots of fibers and water in your diet can also be extremely helpful. Apart from these, itching and inflammation can often be alleviated with over-the-counter medicines and ointments.

In the case of thrombosed hemorrhoids, some pain medicines may also be prescribed since these external hemorrhoids are extremely painful. In extreme cases, surgery becomes unavoidable.

Most of the time, external hemorrhoids take several days to heal. To avoid such painful situations, it is recommended to use some preventive measures like reducing constipation. The best way to do this is to include a lot of fruits and fiber in your diet along with water, as well as performing regular exercises and rigorous walking activities. Keeping your stools soft will decrease pressure and straining and also the chances of getting Hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids can occur due to a variety of different factors, such as: obesity, aging, pregnancy, continual constipation or diarrhea and anal intercourse. Hemorrhoids surgery only usually becomes necessary in cases when hemorrhoid starts giving intolerable pain, itching and bleeding.

Hemorrhoids can occur in any area of the rectum i.e. inside or outside the anal canal. External hemorrhoids occur outside the anal canal and they can be seen or felt near the anus. The symptoms of external hemorrhoids include swelling and pain in the anus or a lump is formed outside the anus. The treatment for such hemorrhoids is not complicated and can be cured with hemorrhoid surgery.

On the other hand, internal hemorrhoids are of major concern. Internal hemorrhoid occurs inside the rectal area. The most common symptom of such hemorrhoid is bleeding. Initially it doesn’t pain, but with the passage of time the situation gets worse and you may experience pain and come across many sleepless nights, as the symptoms become worse in the evenings.

Medical treatment for hemorrhoids

Medical treatment for hemorrhoids begins with relieving the symptoms. Warm tub baths, fiber rich diets, intake of plenty of water or fluids and application of hemorrhoid ointments to the affected area are helpful. Following a regular diet and exercise regimen can help get rid of hemorrhoids and also prevent the recurrence of it. however in cases where the symptoms still persist then hemorrhoid surgery is sometimes recommended.

Hemorrhoids surgery is a surgical procedure to remove hemorrhoids. If there are any excess tissues around the hemorrhoid, they are also removed during the surgery. The surgery is performed to treat extensive and severe hemorrhoids that can be external as well as internal.

For this type of surgery, the patient would normally need to stay overnight in the hospital. The surgery is performed by a surgeon who has specialized in rectum and colon surgeries. The patient is placed on a special diet to prepare the bowels and given some laxatives and enema to clear the gastrointestinal tract before the surgery. Then he is given anesthesia and the hemorrhoid is viewed with the help of an anoscope, a short tube that is inserted into the anus.

The surgeon then examines the condition of the hemorrhoid and ties off the blood supply to the hemorrhoid with a few stitches. Then these hemorrhoids tissues, as well as few other bits of tissues, are removed without causing damage to the anal sphincter. Scalpel, scissors, cautery and sometimes laser are used to remove the tissue.

After hemorrhoid surgery, some pain and discomfort may persist as is the case with other surgeries. Medication is prescribed to overcome the post surgery effects. The patient remains under observation after the surgery.

Any bleeding from the anus is diagnosed and excessive bleeding is treated by inserting a balloon tipped catheter into the rectum to stop the bleeding. Prescribed ointments are applied to relieve the pain. Laxatives and stool softeners are administered to ease defecation. The patient is kept mainly on liquid diets for a day or two and then asked to follow a prescribed diet strictly. He is asked not to strain himself during bowel movement.

When all other avenues of natural cures for hemorrhoids and you have exhausted your options, then hemorrhoid surgery can be the most effective way of treating hemorrhoids, but it has its potential risks to go along with the benefits. It is painful too. To overcome the risks and pain associated with traditional hemorrhoid surgery, a new technique is evolved called Stapled Hemorrhoidopexy or PPH procedure. This has made the surgical procedure easier and nearly painless!