What are prolapsed hemorrhoids, exactly? What’s more disturbing than having blood in the stool due to hemorrhoids is the presence of a protrusion of an external mass on the anus. Although it is highly irritating, it is inevitable on the part of a person with prolapsed hemorrhoid. A prolapsed hemorrhoid or prolapsed anal vein is a type of internal hemorrhoid wherein the vein within the anus being filled with blood becomes inflamed and goes out of the anal sphincter or the opening of the anus. These anal veins become inflamed or swollen due to several reasons.
The most common reason is chronic or long-term constipation which puts much pressure on the anal veins, making them swell. Another, which is the complete opposite of constipation, is diarrhea, which also adds too much pressure on the anal veins. Other conditions such as pregnancy and obesity which results to increased abdominal girth also increases pressure on the anal veins because the veins above the anus becomes constricted, leading to pooling of blood in the anal veins and eventually swelling and inflammation.
What Are Prolapsed Hemorrhoids Stages?
There are several stages or grades of prolapsed anal veins. Grade 1 is the type which is still within the anus. Grade 2 is the type which goes out of the anal sphincter some time and goes in on its own without any action of inserting it by the person. It is usually still considered mild. Grade 3, which is somewhat the moderate type, needs intervention by the person. It usually goes out of the anal sphincter and the person needs to insert it on his or her anus by using his or her finger in order for it to go in. Grade 4, or the severe type, is the one which is already hard to handle as it does not go in anymore no matter what the person do to re insert it. The grade or stage progresses when the person does not modify his lifestyle and still experiences constipation or diarrhea often times.
Anal protrusion usually occurs during bowel movement, when the person exerts effort on towards the anal area. The prolapsed anal vein is usually accompanied by bleeding and itching, and sometimes mild to severe pain, depending on the severity of the person’s condition. Dark-colored stool is not usually associated with a prolapsed anal vein as it may be indicative of other gastrointestinal disorder such as peptic ulcer.
What Are Prolapsed Hemorrhoids Treatment Options?
Management of the condition is mainly focused on the prevention of the number one causative factor which is constipation. Diet modifications such as increase in fiber intake and increase in oral fluid intake are necessary for easy digestion and normal peristaltic movement. Lifestyle changes such as avoiding cigarette smoking and drinking alcohol are also necessary.
In order to address the protruded anal vein, hot-sitz bath is usually done. This is performed by applying alternate hot and cold compress, ten to fifteen minutes each. In some severe cases, surgery is usually done especially when the bleeding is extensive.
The presence of protruding hemorrhoids may be embarrassing but early medical consultation is necessary in order for the condition to addressed before it leads to further complications.
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