Common Presenting Symptom of Hemorrhoidal Disease

Human has been blessed with an anus, it is fair to assume that he has also been doubly blessed with haemorrhoids. The word ‘‘haemorrhoid’’is derived from the Greek haema (blood)and rhoos (flowing), and it was probably Hippocrates(460 BC) who was the first to apply thename to the flow of blood from the veins of the anus.

Some estimate that up to 90% of patients may complain of hemorrhoidal symptoms at least once in their lifetime. The incidence of hemorrhoids increases with age, with males affected twice as often as females. Low residue diets seen typically in industrialized countries have been described as contributing to symptomatic hemorrhoids, presumably by causing smaller hard stools. This is clearly not the only etiology however, as those patients with diarrhea may also develop symptomatic hemorrhoids. Diets high in fiber may reduce the risk of hemorrhoid congestion. Although increased intra-abdominal pressure such as that seen in chronic pulmonary disease, prostatism, and pelvic tumors has been postulated to contribute to symptomatic hemorrhoids, the actual incidence is no greater in these patients than is found in the general population.

The most common presenting symptom is bleeding. It usually happens toward the end of defecation and is often bright red and painless. Prolapse and thrombosis may also occur. The patient may also complain of swelling and itching, but pain may also be present if there is thrombosis involving the external hemorrhoids