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External hemorrhoids
Can external hemorrhoids be cured completely?
External hemorrhoids are a common clinical type of hemorrhoids, and the main method for radical treatment is primarily surgical removal. The sole use of topical medications or oral medications can only alleviate the congestion, swelling, and pain caused by external hemorrhoids, but cannot completely remove them. The surgical methods for external hemorrhoids primarily include external hemorrhoidectomy or the combined internal ligation and external excision surgery. If internal hemorrhoids are also removed during the surgery, there will be sutures present, and it is recommended that patients be hospitalized and observed until the sutures fall out before being discharged. This is to avoid complications such as major bleeding from premature suture loss due to early discharge or exertion.
Clinical Characteristics of External Hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids refer to hemorrhoids located below the dentate line, which are classified into four main types, each with distinct clinical manifestations. Connective tissue external hemorrhoids and varicose vein-type external hemorrhoids primarily present with a mild sensation of a foreign body in the anus. Inflammatory external hemorrhoids are characterized by redness, swelling, protrusion, burning, or itching of the anal skin or skin tags. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids often occur after intense exercise or straining during bowel movements, suddenly presenting as a round or oval lump under the skin at the edge of the anus. This lump contains a venous thrombus and is accompanied by anal pain.
Can external hemorrhoids use hemorrhoid suppositories?
In clinical practice, hemorrhoidal suppositories can also be used for external hemorrhoids. Since hemorrhoidal suppositories are mainly administered through the rectum to act locally, they have a certain therapeutic effect on external hemorrhoids, especially for varicose external hemorrhoids and inflammatory external hemorrhoids, helping to alleviate local swelling and pain. Additionally, for external hemorrhoids, it is often recommended to use anal cleansers, or to sit in baths with potassium permanganate or other medicated solutions, combined with the external application of hemorrhoidal cream or golden ointment. If symptoms do not show significant improvement after four to five days of medication treatment, it is advisable to visit a hospital's proctology department for external hemorrhoid surgery as soon as possible, to prevent potential thrombosis or necrosis of the external hemorrhoids. Moreover, patients should develop good bowel habits, avoiding prolonged sitting or excessive straining during bowel movements to prevent worsening of external hemorrhoids. (Medication should be used under the guidance of a doctor)
Do external hemorrhoids always require surgery?
Simple external hemorrhoids do not necessarily require surgery. External hemorrhoids are mainly those that grow below the dentate line, and their main clinical manifestation is a foreign body sensation in the anus, which does not pose a significant risk to the body. Only thrombosed external hemorrhoids with obvious anal pain may not require surgery if the lump is small, as the thrombus can be absorbed on its own. Only those with large lumps need to have the thrombus removed to alleviate pain.
Can external hemorrhoids heal by themselves?
External hemorrhoids can be classified into cutaneous flap hemorrhoids, varicose vein hemorrhoids, thrombotic hemorrhoids, and inflammatory hemorrhoids. These are mostly caused by poor defecation habits of the patient, such as prolonged defecation time or excessive straining during bowel movements, which then lead to the growth of excess skin flaps, varicose veins, or rupture of venous blood vessels, resulting in various types of external hemorrhoids. Therefore, these types of hemorrhoids cannot heal on their own and require treatment with medication or surgery. For cutaneous flap hemorrhoids, if the patient does not experience significant discomfort, specific treatment is generally not necessary, just attention to hygiene around the anal area is needed. However, for inflammatory or thrombotic hemorrhoids, since they can cause anal pain and a feeling of prolapse, it is advisable to opt for surgical stripping of the hemorrhoids as soon as possible. Post-surgery, treatments such as anal washes, red oil gauze strips, and golden ointment should be used for dressing changes, while also maintaining cleanliness of the anal region.
What foods to eat for thrombotic external hemorrhoids?
Thrombotic external hemorrhoids are primarily caused by inflammation of the anal veins, or by the rupture and thrombus formation of the anal venous plexus due to excessive straining. The main symptoms are a sudden bluish-purple swelling at the edge of the anus or severe pain. The primary cause is usually due to constipation. Therefore, it's important to maintain smooth bowel movements when eating. Increasing the intake of vegetables and fruits and reducing the consumption of meat, while ensuring regular bowel movements, is most crucial.
How to eliminate the flesh lump of external hemorrhoids
External hemorrhoids mainly consist of varicose external hemorrhoids, inflammatory external hemorrhoids, and thrombotic external hemorrhoids. If the patient wants to completely remove them, in such cases, only external hemorrhoidectomy or external hemorrhoid stripping surgery can be performed. After the surgery, anal cleansers, red oil gauze strips, and golden ointment are used for dressing changes to promote wound healing. If the patient is unwilling to undergo surgery and opts for conservative treatment with medications alone, the external hemorrhoidal mass will not be completely eliminated but will only shrink slightly and improve clinical symptoms. To completely eliminate the external hemorrhoidal mass, surgical treatment is necessary. Moreover, after surgery, patients should develop good defecation habits, such as not spending too much time on defecation, not straining excessively, and performing more pelvic floor exercises after defecation to strengthen the anal sphincter muscles to help prevent recurrence of external hemorrhoids.
Will external hemorrhoids affect sexual life?
External hemorrhoids generally do not affect sexual life. External hemorrhoids mainly refer to hemorrhoids that grow below the dentate line, primarily divided into connective tissue external hemorrhoids, varicose external hemorrhoids, inflammatory external hemorrhoids, and thrombosed external hemorrhoids. The main clinical manifestations of the first three types of external hemorrhoids are a foreign body sensation in the anus and moisture at the anus, so they do not affect sexual life. Only thrombosed external hemorrhoids can cause anal pain, which might affect sexual life if the pain is very severe.
The difference between internal and external hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are located above the dentate line in the anal canal, at the end of the rectum, and are innervated by the autonomic nervous system. Clinically, they are mainly characterized by intermittent, painless rectal bleeding. The blood is bright red, often dripping or spraying after defecation. If internal hemorrhoids worsen, they can prolapse and even become strangulated and edematous, causing anal swelling and pain. External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, are located below the dentate line in the anal canal, and are innervated by the spinal nerves, making them more sensitive to pain. Clinically, they are categorized into skin tag-type external hemorrhoids, varicose vein-type external hemorrhoids, inflammatory external hemorrhoids, and thrombotic external hemorrhoids. Skin tag-type and varicose vein-type external hemorrhoids primarily cause a sensation of a foreign body and itching in the anus, while inflammatory or thrombotic external hemorrhoids can lead to an increase in perianal secretions and anal swelling and pain, necessitating prompt surgical removal of the external hemorrhoids.
How long does it take for a thrombosed external hemorrhoid to subside?
Thrombotic external hemorrhoids are a type of external hemorrhoids. Generally, after 2-3 days, the thrombus begins to be absorbed and the pain significantly reduces and can be healed. However, in cases with a large thrombotic lump, significant pain can occur and in severe cases, it can hinder walking. The patient may be restless whether sitting or lying down, the surface may re-ulcerate, causing bleeding, and the thrombus can naturally expel itself. At this time, the lump will be eliminated.