Anal swelling after cesarean section

Cesarean section is a delivery method chosen by many pregnant women with malpositioned fetuses or other abnormal conditions. After a caesarean section, many women will experience some problems, such as postpartum anal swelling. This symptom is generally caused by hemorrhoids, which is also a disease that can cause pain to patients. Next, I will introduce you to some relevant knowledge about hemorrhoids!

1. Overview

Hemorrhoids (commonly known as hemorrhoids) are a common disease located in the anal area. They can occur at any age, but the incidence rate gradually increases with age. In my country, hemorrhoids are the most common anorectal disease, and there is a saying that "nine out of ten men have hemorrhoids" and "ten out of ten women have hemorrhoids". In the United States, the incidence of hemorrhoids is about 5%, and this difference may be related to the judgment criteria.

2. Causes

There are two main theories about the cause of hemorrhoids. The first is the varicose vein theory, which holds that hemorrhoids are venous masses formed by congestion, dilation, and tortuosity of the venous plexus under the mucosa of the lower rectum and under the skin of the anal canal. However, the widely accepted theory at present is Thomson's anal cushion migration theory, which holds that hemorrhoids were originally normal anatomical structures in the anal canal, namely the vascular cushion, which is a ring-shaped spongy tissue band 1.5 cm above the dentate line. Only when the anal cushion tissue becomes thickened, displaced and accompanied by symptoms can it be called hemorrhoids and require treatment. The purpose of treatment is to relieve symptoms rather than eliminate hemorrhoids. There are many factors that cause hemorrhoids, among which constipation, long-term drinking, eating large amounts of irritating foods and sitting or standing for long periods of time are the main causes.

3. Classification

Hemorrhoids are divided into internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids and mixed hemorrhoids according to the location of occurrence. There is a jagged visible line at the junction of the anal canal skin and the rectal mucosa called the anal dentate line. Hemorrhoids above the dentate line are internal hemorrhoids. They are caused by pathological changes or displacement of the supporting structure of the anal cushions, venous plexus and arteriovenous anastomoses, and are covered with the rectal mucosa. Due to the contraction of the internal sphincter, the anal cushions are divided into three parts by the Y-shaped groove: the left side, right front side, and right back side. Therefore, internal hemorrhoids are commonly found on the left side, right front side and right back side. Below the dentate line are external hemorrhoids, which cover the skin of the anal canal and can be divided into connective tissue external hemorrhoids, varicose external hemorrhoids, thrombosed external hemorrhoids and inflammatory external hemorrhoids. Mixed hemorrhoids are those that have both internal and external hemorrhoids. They are formed by the fusion of internal hemorrhoids with the corresponding external hemorrhoids through the venous plexus, that is, the anastomosis of the upper and lower venous plexuses. When mixed hemorrhoids protrude from the anus and take on a plum blossom shape, they are called annular hemorrhoids. If the hemorrhoids prolapse and are caught by the sphincter, they will form incarcerated hemorrhoids.