Complications
By Mayo Clinic staffComplications 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).
References
- Rectal problems. The American College of Gastroenterology. http://www.acg.gi.org/patients/women/rectal.asp. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
- Bleday R, et al. Clinical features of hemorrhoids. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
- Bleday R, et al. Treatment of hemorrhoids. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 21, 2010.
- 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§ionEid=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.
- Sneider EB, et al. Diagnosis and management of symptomatic hemorrhoids. Surgical Clinics of North America. 2010;90:17.
- 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§ionEid=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.
- 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.
- Picco MF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Nov. 3, 2010.


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