Can Kidney Problems Cause Hemorrhoids?

What Are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids, also known as piles are dilated veins in the lower rectum and anal region. Sometimes, due to excess pressure on the rectal tissue, the wall of the blood vessel in that region gets thin causing the vein to bulge out.

Hemorrhoids are of two types, external and internal and also may vary in size. External piles form outside, in the surrounding region of the anus while internal piles are present with in the anal canal and are covered with a very thin layer of tissue called anal mucosa.

Hemorrhoids are categorized into four grades:

  1. Grade-I hemorrhoids
    They are not visible to the eye. They are small in size and are formed inside the lining of the anus.

  2. Grade-II hemorrhoids
    Like grade-I piles, they also remain inside the anus but they are slightly bigger in size. They may prolapse outside, but reduce spontaneously.

  3. Grade-III hemorrhoids
    They are very big in size and constantly protrude outside the anal canal. Grade-III piles may require manual reduction.

  4. Grade-IV hemorrhoids
    They are also known as prolapsed internal hemorrhoids. They can’t be reduced manually. They require proper medical attention and sometimes surgical means may also be required in their treatment.

Signs and Symptoms
In most cases, symptoms associated with hemorrhoids are not very serious and go away on their own. Some of the symptoms that a person with hemorrhoids may experience are:

  • Itching around the anus.
  • Irritation and pain around the anus.
  • Itchy or painful lump or swelling near your anus.
  • Fecal leakage.
  • Painful bowel movements.
  • Blood on the tissue after having a bowel movement.

What Causes Hemorrhoids?
Certain conditions and activities that may cause piles are:

  • Chronic constipation.
  • Chronic diarrhea.
  • Pregnancy.
  • Straining when moving bowels.
  • Lifting weights.
  • Obesity.

Can Kidney Problems Cause Hemorrhoids?
Yes, hemorrhoids may be an associated symptom of a kidney problem. For example, Polycystic Kidney Disease or PKD is a genetic disorder in which cysts develop primarily in your kidney. Hemorrhoids is one of the many symptoms that are experienced by a person with PKD.

Other kidney related conditions like passing kidney stones can also cause piles in some people.

Treatment
In most cases hemorrhoids don’t really require any sort of treatment and resolve spontaneously. But in severe cases treatment is required. Several medications are available in the market that help ease the associated symptoms.

Mostly OTC medications are used for treating piles but it is better to consult with a doctor. Here are a few effective medications for hemorrhoids:

  1. Proctosedyl Ointment
    It is a prescription medication that contains hydrocortisone and cinchocaine as its active ingredients. It is indicated for both external and internal hemorrhoids and provides short-term relief from anal itching.

  2. Xyloproct Ointment And Suppository
    Xyloproct is indicated for both children and adults. It is also a prescription medication that treats pain and inflammation in anal region due to hemorrhoids or any other condition.

Both Proctosedyl and Xyloproct ointments and suppositories are available in UK’s local pharmacies and online.