Thrombosed Hemorrhoids - Symptoms & Diagnosis
What is a thrombosed hemorrhoid?
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the rectal column or anus. Increased strain or pressure can lead to a blood clot, causing a thrombosed hemorrhoid. These can be painful if the clot isn’t reabsorbed.
Thrombosed external hemorrhoids cause painful swelling and a small lump in the anal tissues. Thrombosed internal hemorrhoids from a blood clot in the rectal column tissues, often without pain. If the clot bursts, it can lead to prolapsed bleeding.
Symptoms of thrombosed hemorrhoid
The primary and easily identifiable symptom is pain. When you walk, stand, or sit, there will be intense pain in and around your anus area.
The common symptoms of thrombosed hemorrhoid symptoms are:
1. Discomfort while walking, sitting, or even standing. Physical movements lead to high discomfort as the laborious work increases.
2. Blood stool accompanied by pain
3. Itchy skin in and around the anus
4. tender Lumps or bumps as a result of swelling in the anus area
What causes thrombosed hemorrhoid
The following are the common causes of thrombosed hemorrhoids:
1. Diarrhea
2. Irregular bowel movements
3. Straining during bowel movements, especially during the days of constipation
4. Pregnancy(force from baby pressing on your veins or from pushing during delivery)
5. Prolonged sitting – driving the car for long hours, sedentary working style, long plane trips
Usually, hemorrhoids occur because of high pressure in your veins. An ordinary external & internal Hemorrhoid is a result of pressure in the veins causing them to swell, and when swollen hemorrhoid tissue encounters more pressure, it leads to a blood clot, arresting blood flow to the veins.
Can thrombosed hemorrhoids burst?
Yes, a thrombosed hemorrhoid can burst. If the blood clot inside a rectal tissue, the chances of bursting are high. Although you won’t feel any pain from the hemorrhoid inside, you can see blood as clots or liquid while wiping after a bowel movement.
Can thrombosed hemorrhoids burst?
Yes, a thrombosed hemorrhoid can burst. If the blood clot inside a rectal tissue, the chances of bursting are high. Although you won’t feel any pain from the hemorrhoid inside, you can see blood as clots or liquid while wiping after a bowel movement.
What are the risks of thrombosed hemorrhoids?
Thrombosed hemorrhoids are usually aren’t risky but in very rare cases they can lead to developing infection. OTC drugs like creams or pills can ease the discomfort of anal skin, but medical advice should be sought if these do not work. Blood clots are reabsorbed by the body in 2 days, unless they experience additional pressure. A fever or infection can lead to a perianal abscess, which should be drained within 72 hours. Contact the ProctoCan patient care line.
How to diagnose a thrombosed hemorrhoid?
The following are the ways to diagnose the thrombosed hemorrhoid:
1. You can self-diagnose them using wet or dry tissue by wiping gently on your anus after your bowel movement. If you feel any lumps, bumps, or tiny balls, then you may have a thrombosed hemorrhoid
2. Digital Examination: Your physician inserts a lubricated gloved finger into your rectum to feel any lumps or external growths
3. Using a colonoscope, anoscope, proctoscope, or sigmoidoscope, the physician will have a thorough visual inspection of the digestive tract, anus, rectum, and the lower portions of the colon. The instrument consists of a long tube with a camera at one end to allow your physician to view the polyps or external growths.
The need to use colonoscopy or an anoscope is to find if you have any other additional digestive tract problems or traces of risk factors of colorectal cancer.
How to treat a thrombosed hemorrhoid?
External thrombectomy is the primary treatment for a thromosed hemorrhoid. The procedure is performed under local anesthesia or sedation. Treatment for hemorrhoids depends on their severity and
may involve a combination of the options below:
1. Over-the-counter medications: Your doctor will prescribe you drugs, pills, ointments, or topical creams that contain witch hazel, or hydrocortisone, and lidocaine.
2. Surgical treatments: Hemorrhoidectomy
When to see a doctor?
- When to see a doctor? If a hemorrhoid clot isn’t gradually reabsorbed by your body on its own and cause excessive discomfort that hinders the routine activities.
- Increased blood in your bowel movements
- Excess pain in your anus skin with fever
- The bulge of the lump becomes too big, inflamed and red
- If the blood clot bursts and results in prolapsed hemorrhoid
- If your hemorrhoids are lasting more than 3 days, and the bleeding doesn’t stop even after all of your home remedies, contact ProctoCan.