Types of Hemorrhoids

Conditions & Diseases: Digestive System

Hemorrhoids

See Also:
Hemorrhoids: Introduction
Hemorrhoids: Types
Hemorrhoids: Causes & Risk Factors
Hemorrhoids: Signs & Symptoms
Hemorrhoids: Medical Tests & Diagnosis Methods
Hemorrhoids: Treatment & Prevention Options

There are two types of Hemorrhoids based on their location:

External Hemorrhoids:
External hemorrhoids develop near the anal opening which is covered by sensitive skin. A patient suffering from external hemorrhoids experiences a hard, sensitive lump that bleeds on rupture.

Internal Hemorrhoids:
Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the anal canal. One of the common symptoms of this type of hemorrhoid is painless bleeding and protrusion of hemorrhoids from the anal canal during bowel movement. Internal hemorrhoids are painful if it is “prolapsed”- if the hemorrhoid protrudes from the anal opening and cannot be pushed back (1) & (4).

The severity of internal hemorrhoids can be described through a grading system as follows:

First-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids that bleed but do not protrude from the anus (i.e., do not prolapse).

Second-degree hemorrhoids: In this subtype, the hemorrhoid protrudes from the anus during bowel movement and retracts on its own into the anal canal later.

Third-degree hemorrhoids: In this subtype, a hemorrhoid protrudes from the anus during the bowel movement, but does not retract on its own and is required to be pushed in with a finger.

Fourth-degree hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids protrude or prolapse from the anus and cannot be pushed back into the anal canal (2).

Article by Kona Vishnu, MS
Medical Writer,
OmniMedicalSearch.com

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Page Last Modified:
09/10/2010