Hemorrhoids
Overview
Hemorrhoids are soft cushions formed by dilation and engorgement of venous plexuses under the distal rectal and anal-canal lining, causing bleeding, prolapse, pain/swelling, and itching; they are internal, external, or mixed. Chinese medicine attributes them to organ weakness, prolonged standing/sitting, straining from constipation, spicy food, or damp-heat pouring downward causing qi–blood stasis, with patterns of wind injuring the intestinal collaterals, damp-heat, and spleen deficiency with qi collapse. Blood in stool must first rule out colorectal cancer and other serious disease.
Pattern differentiation (clinical patterns)
Wind Injuring the Intestinal Collaterals
Blood on stool, dripping or spurting bright-red blood, possibly anal itch, red tongue thin yellow coating, floating rapid pulse.
Clear heat and cool blood; dispel wind and stop bleeding.
Damp-Heat Pouring Downward
Prolapsed hot painful swelling, dark bleeding, sticky stools with tenesmus, bitter sticky mouth, red tongue yellow greasy coating, rolling rapid pulse.
Clear heat and drain dampness; resolve stasis and stop bleeding.
Spleen Deficiency with Qi Collapse
Repeated prolapse that does not reduce spontaneously, anal heaviness, pale bleeding, dull complexion, shortness of breath, fatigue, poor appetite, pale tongue, weak pulse.
Tonify the middle and boost qi; upbear yang and lift the fallen.
Connections
Daily care & prevention
Increase fiber (vegetables, whole grains, legumes) and fluids; avoid prolonged squatting and straining, keep regular bowel habits, use warm sitz baths, keep the area clean, avoid long sitting/standing, and exercise moderately. Massage Chengshan (BL57), Changqiang (GV1), Shangjuxu (ST37), Baihui (GV20), and Zusanli (ST36). Persistent or dark blood mixed in stool, changed bowel habits, unexplained weight loss, or anemia warrants colonoscopy.
When to seek medical care
Heavy ongoing bleeding with dizziness, palpitations, or pallor (risk of hemorrhagic shock) is an emergency; severe pain or a strangulated dark prolapsed mass with fever needs urgent treatment; any rectal bleeding—especially over 45 or with weight loss or changed bowel habits—should rule out colorectal cancer.