What does hemorrhoids look like

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, happen when clusters of veins in your rectum or anus get swollen (or dilated). When these veins swell, blood pools inside and causes the veins to expand outward into the membranes around your rectal and anal tissue.
This can become uncomfortable or painful.

Most hemorrhoids aren’t a serious medical condition. In fact, you may not even notice them. Less than 5 percent of people who get hemorrhoids have symptoms, and even fewer need treatment.

Many people suffer from hemorrhoids. National Institutes of Health estimates that 1 in 20 Americans are affected by this disease.

Even so, if your haemorrhoids are giving you discomfort or interfering with your daily activities or bowel movements, you should consult a doctor immediately once.
Talk to your doctor if they don't go away after a week of therapy at home or if you're suffering rectal bleeding.

What does hemorrhoids look like

Hemorrhoids aren’t always visible. But when they expand, they can look like red or blue bumps or lumps.

Here are descriptions of the appearance of the four main types of hemorrhoids:

Internal.
These can’t always be seen because they’re too deep in your anus to be visible. They are protrusions of the wall of your anal canal or rectum. Less-serious internal hemorrhoids are bumps inside, and more serious ones can form a long protrusion.

Prolapsed.
When an internal hemorrhoid swells and elongates to the point where it protrudes out of your anus. Less serious prolapsed hemorrhoids come out of the anus during straining but spontaneously retract when you relax, whereas more serious prolapsed hemorrhoids remain protruding from the anus.

External.
Appear as one or more bumps on and around the anus. You or a doctor can see these from the outside.

Thrombosed.
These are external or internal hemorrhoids in which the blood that’s pooled inside has clotted, which can be painful in external hemorrhoids.
You might have just one hemorrhoid or more than one at a time.

What causes hemorrhoids?

Anything that puts pressure or strain on your anus or rectum can cause the veins to dilate. Some common causes and risk factors include:

• having excess weight
• frequently straining during bowel movements
• having diarrhea or constipation
• not having regular bowel movements
• sitting for a long time
• being pregnant or giving birth
• not getting enough fiber in your diet
• using too many laxatives
• getting older, as tissues lose strength and elasticity as you age

Internal hemorrhoids can become prolapsed hemorrhoids if you continue to do any of the things that may have caused your hemorrhoid in the first place.

External hemorrhoids are more likely to become thrombosed, although no specific risk factor is known to cause this.

Conclusion

Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable or painful, although most people don't feel them, and consequences are rare.

Hemorrhoids that don't prolapse or thrombose tend to heal without symptoms or consequences. Hemorrhoids that have prolapsed or thrombosed are more likely to produce discomfort or problems.

Seek immediate medical assistance if your hemorrhoids cause pain, discomfort, bleeding, or prolapse. Quickly treated hemorrhoids have a greater chance of healing without problems.