Hemorrhoids: Causes, Symptoms and Treatment Options

What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are vascular cushions inside (internal) or around (external) the anal canal that have become enlarged or symptomatic. They are very common and not contagious.

Typical symptoms

• Painless bright-red bleeding after a bowel movement
• A feeling of a lump or prolapse around the anus
• Itching or irritation of perianal skin
• Sudden pain when an external clot (thrombosis) develops

Grading of internal hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids are classified from grade I (no prolapse) to grade IV (permanent prolapse). The grade helps guide treatment but does not define severity alone — symptoms matter too.

Treatment options

• Diet, fibre and stool habit changes for most early cases
• Topical creams and warm baths to relieve symptoms
• Office procedures such as rubber band ligation for selected grades
• Surgical or laser-assisted techniques for advanced or persistent disease

When to seek evaluation

Any new or persistent rectal bleeding should be evaluated by a clinician. Bleeding alone is not enough to confirm hemorrhoids — other causes must be excluded.