Signs and Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Many anorectal problems are similar or have the same symptoms and are incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids. These include fistulae, fissures, abscesses or itching and irritation. Hemorrhoids are not really dangerous, to the extent of having your life being compromised. In most instances, hemorrhoid symptoms will go away after a few days.
Below are some of the key symptoms of hemorrhoids:
- Traces of blood during bowel movements — this can be painless
- Anal region can be itchy or irritated
- Swollen anus
- There can be a lump near your anus that is painful
- Uncontrollable discharge of feces.
Symptoms of hemorrhoid vary depending on the location. These symptoms can guide you to determine what kind of hemorrhoid you have. If internal hemorrhoid which develops inside the rectum, you will not feel anything, but once they prolapse it may cause irritation. The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is having red blood in one’s stool. Bleeding can take place during bowel movements when the hemorrhoid is irritated by the passing stool.
Sometimes an internal hemorrhoid is pushed near the anal opening because of straining; this is what they call protruding or prolapses. In a few cases the sphincter muscle can experience spasm and trap the hemorrhoid that is outside the anus. The circulation of blood is then cut into the strangulated hemorrhoids. These are severe conditions of hemorrhoid that require immediate medical attention and treatment.
Small external hemorrhoids usually do not show any severe symptoms. Larger ones, however, can be painful and interfere with cleaning the anal area after a bowel movement. Sometimes blood clot may be formed in the external hemorrhoid (which is termed as thrombosed hemorrhoid) because of which the skin around the anus becomes inflamed and a very painful lump develops. On rare occasions the clot will begin to bleed after a few days and leave blood on the underwear. A thrombosed hemorrhoid will not cause an embolism.
External hemorrhoid however, lies under the skin around the anus. Small external hemorrhoids commonly have no symptoms to show. But the large ones can be very painful and having a hard time cleaning the anus after using the toilet can be a side effect of it. External hemorrhoid can bleed or itch if irritated. Clotting is also common with this condition and resulting in swelling, severe pain and irritation, this is called thrombosed hemorrhoid. Sometimes the clot can begin to bleed a few days after and traces of blood can be seen on the underwear. This is normally painful because the tissue around the anus is covered by nerve endings which are very sensitive.
When to see a doctor?
The most common sign of hemorrhoid is bleeding during bowel movements. But sometimes this may be caused by other diseases as well. Don’t conclude that this bleeding came from hemorrhoid without consulting your doctor. Tests can be done to confirm that you really are suffering from hemorrhoids. If you notice any hemorrhoid symptoms, change in your bowel movement or any excessive bleeding then do consult a doctor to avoid further complications.