Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids include most commonly discomfort around the anus area. You might feel a burning or itching sensation, particularly after a bowl movement. Oftentimes you might think it is a regular little tear or fissure until the pain increases.
Medically you can have external hemorrhoids or internal hemorrhoids. In both cases the veins in the anus are swollen and inflamed, you can have both forms at the same time. If you have to strain to much during a bowl movement it might happen that veins are pushed outside of the anus, if this is the case we are talking about external hemorrhoids. These are very easy to diagnose, as they build up as small to midsize lumps, which are colored lila to blueish, indicating a thrombosed or clotted vein. There are often painful while touching, sitting or exercising. You can carefully exam the anus with a finger and see if lumps are present. You may also see light colored blood on the toilet paper after straining to pass stool.
Additional symptoms of hemorrhoids at the external area of the anus may be increaseng rectal pain, extreme discomfort while sitting, walking or during any other physical activity.
Internal hemorrhoids are more difficult to detect and are oftentimes unnoticed and painless. A very typical symptom is rectal bleeding, you might see bright red blood streaks on the sides of your stool or toilet paper, indicating an open internal hemorrhoid. Blood may also be seen mixed with the water in the toilet bowl.
Itching and burning is a more frequent complaint as internal hemorrhoids may secret mucus towards the rectal area, this causes skin irritation. You may feel the need of wanting to touch and wipe your anus, which will increase the irritation and inflammation further.
An unusual discomfort may occur during and after a bowl movement, causing a desire of having to go more even though the rectum is emptied out. This is caused by the bulging vein pushing towards the end of the large intestine into the anal canal.
Most internal hemorrhoids remain painless, however; occasionally the veins may swell to the extend that the blood flow is interrupted which causes extreme and sharp occurring pain due to the strangulated hemorrhoid. In severe cases an emergency operation may be needed. Internal hemorrhoids can also prolapse and build up saggy skin tissue at the outside of your anus.
If you feel any of the above symptoms of hemorrhoids don't wait before implementing treatment as prolonged aggravation of the inflamed veins may cause that the hemorrhoids become chronic.
In general hemorrhoids are not dangerous and in most cases go away after days. The majority of people having to deal with hemorrhoids are between 45 and 65. Due to a society with unhealthy eating habits also younger people are more frequently diagnosed. Pregnant woman are another sensitive group.
Causes for hemorrhoids are not completely clear, straining due to hard stool, lack of exercise and weak connective tissue are all playing a role for any symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids can be passed on genetically from parent to child, so if your parents had hemorrhoids, you’re more likely to get them.