Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids include internal, external, and mixed hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are soft masses formed by displacement and pathological enlargement of the anal cushions due to dilation of the venous plexus and laxity or disruption of the fibrous supporting structures. External hemorrhoids are raised soft masses caused by dilation of the subcutaneous blood vessels around the anus and inflammatory swelling. Mixed hemorrhoids are formed when internal and external hemorrhoids merge at corresponding sites. Hemorrhoid formation is primarily associated with factors such as difficulty passing stool, diarrhea, a low-fiber diet, pregnancy, dysfunction of the internal anal sphincter, heredity, age, and anatomy. In traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), this condition falls within the categories of “internal hemorrhoids,” “external hemorrhoids,” “internal and external hemorrhoids,” and “male and female hemorrhoids.”
TCM Pattern Differentiation and Medication Reference
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Blood drips or spurts during bowel movements, or is mixed with the stool; the blood is bright red, and the anus is itchy. The tongue is red with a yellow coating; the pulse is floating and rapid.
In plain language:
- Blood may drip or spurt during a bowel movement, or be present in the stool. It is bright red and accompanied by anal itching.
- The tongue appears red or bright red.
- The tongue coating is yellow.
- The pulse feels superficial and fast, with a noticeable beat.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Cool the blood and dispel wind
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach is intended to cool the blood and help it flow more steadily, while dispelling wind, which is associated with shifting or wandering discomfort.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and package insert, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
Bright red rectal bleeding, often in a larger amount; burning pain around the anus or weeping discharge; scant, dark-yellow urine. The tongue body is red with a yellow, greasy coating; the pulse is floating and rapid.
In plain language:
- There may be a larger amount of bright red blood in the stool, with burning pain or weeping around the anus.
- Urine may be scant and yellow.
- The tongue appears red.
- The tongue coating is yellow and greasy.
- The pulse feels superficial and relatively fast.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Clear heat and dry dampness
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to clear internal heat and reduce dampness, which is associated with a heavy, sticky feeling.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and package insert, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
A mass protrudes from the anus, with a blood clot inside or possible strangulation; the surface is dark purple, eroded, and weeping, with severe pain. The tongue body is dark purple or has stasis spots; the pulse is wiry or choppy.
In plain language:
- A mass protrudes from the anus.
- A blood clot may form inside, or the mass may become trapped and unable to return inside.
- The surface appears dark purple, with erosion and weeping.
- The pain is very severe.
- The tongue appears dark purple or has visible stasis spots.
- The pulse feels tense or choppy.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Invigorate blood and reduce swelling
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to promote the movement of stagnant blood, improve circulation, and help swelling subside and pain ease.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and package insert, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
| Common Symptoms
Clinical description:
A mass protrudes from the anus and is difficult to reduce; rectal bleeding is pale in color. The complexion is pale and dull; dizziness, fatigue, poor appetite, weakness, shortness of breath, and reluctance to speak may occur. The tongue is pale and swollen with a thin white coating; the pulse is thready and weak.
In plain language:
- A mass protrudes from the anus and is difficult to push back in.
- There may be blood in the stool, and it may appear pale.
- The face may look pale and dull.
- You may feel dizzy, weak, and very tired.
- You may eat less and feel weak, with a poor appetite.
- You may become short of breath when speaking and feel disinclined to talk.
- The tongue appears pale and somewhat swollen.
- The tongue coating is thin and white.
- The pulse feels thready and weak.
| Treatment Approach
Clinical description:
Tonify qi and raise what has sunken
In plain language:
- In TCM terms, this approach aims to replenish qi and vitality to help support energy.
- It aims to address a feeling of downward sagging and weakness and to support energy and the body’s ability to hold the internal organs in place.
| Related Products
The products below are provided for informational reference only and do not constitute medical advice or a prescription. Follow the product packaging and package insert, and use under the guidance of a doctor or pharmacist.
References
- Zhang Dongming. Hemorrhoidal Disease [M]. Beijing: People’s Medical Publishing House, 2004.
- Yu Guoan. Report on a survey of anorectal diseases in 4,174 people [J]. Journal of Anhui College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1983, (1): 34–36.
- Huang Shaoming, Wu Yin’ai. A survey of anorectal diseases among 4,935 people in a military unit in southern China [J]. Journal of the First Military Medical University, 1995, 15(3): 220–221.
- Gu Qiang. Analysis of 3,002 cases of anorectal diseases [J]. Gansu Journal of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2000, 13(5): 41–42.
- Chen Ping, Tian Zhenguo, Zhou Lu, et al. An epidemiological survey of anorectal diseases among urban residents in Hubei Province [J]. China Medicine and Pharmacy, 2015, 5(5): 188–191.
- Lu Jingen, Ding Yijiang, Li Guodong. Anorectal Diseases: Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 2009.
- Wang Jian, Li Ding. Advances in the pathophysiological study of hemorrhoids [J]. Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology, 2010, 26(1): 193–196.
- Li Guodong, Kou Yuming. Clinical Anorectal Diseases: Integrating Chinese and Western Medicine [M]. Beijing: China Press of Traditional Chinese Medicine, 1996.