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Complications

By Mayo Clinic staff

Complications of hemorrhoids are rare but include:

  • Anemia. Chronic blood loss from hemorrhoids may cause anemia, in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your cells, resulting in fatigue and weakness.
  • Strangulated hemorrhoid. If blood supply to an internal hemorrhoid is cut off, the hemorrhoid may be "strangulated," which can cause extreme pain and lead to tissue death (gangrene).
Preparing for your appointment Causes
References
  1. Rectal problems. The American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/women/rectal.asp. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
  2. Bleday R, et al. Clinical features of hemorrhoids. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
  3. Bleday R, et al. Treatment of hemorrhoids. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
  4. Corigliano MA. Hemorrhoids. In: Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2011. St. Louis, Mo.: Mosby; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00017-2--sc0075&isbn=978-0-323-05610-6&sid=1071600329&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00017-2--sc0075&uniqId=223412356-4#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05610-6..00017-2--sc0075. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
  5. Sneider EB, et al. Diagnosis and management of symptomatic hemorrhoids. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2010;90:17.
  6. Christoforidis D, et al. Hemorrhoids, anal fissure, and anorectal abscess and fistula. In: Bope ET, et al. Conn's Current Therapy 2010. 61st ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00007-7--sc0045&isbn=978-1-4160-6642-2&sid=1071600329&type=bookPage&sectionEid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00007-7--s0835&uniqId=223412356-4#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-6642-2..00007-7--s0835. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
  7. Cataldo P, et al. Practice parameters for the management of hemorrhoids (revised). Arlington Heights, Ill.: American Society of Colon and Rectal Surgeons. http://www.guideline.gov/content.aspx?id=7284. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
  8. Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 3, 2010.
DS00096 Dec. 23, 2010

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