There are several common symptoms of hemorrhoids that can give you an idea that you have hemorrhoids. You have probably heard of itching, pain and swelling, but are there others? Before we get into what the symptoms are, first we need to talk about what hemorrhoids are and the difference between the two different kinds.
What Are Hemorrhoids?
A simple definition of hemorrhoids, also known as piles, is a swollen or inflamed vein within the anal canal. These veins are always present, and are important as they help with stool control. But they can be particularly troublesome as they swell or become inflamed. This is where we need to know the common symptoms of hemorrhoids in order to know if you are suffering from hemorrhoids.
The Two Types of Hemorrhoids
There are two types of hemorrhoids, and the symptoms of hemorrhoids vary a bit between the two. The first type of hemorrhoid is the internal hemorrhoid. An internal hemorrhoid is a swollen vein that happens inside the rectum. They are generally not painful, as there are no pain receptors inside the rectum. External hemorrhoids are often very painful. They are hemorrhoids that can be felt as they develop outside the rectum.
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids – Internal Hemorrhoids
As hemorrhoids go, the internal hemorrhoid is rather painless. Many people have internal hemorrhoids and don’t even know it. There are two common symptoms of hemorrhoids that are associated with internal hemorrhoids however, and they are listed below.
- Blood – The most common of the symptoms of hemorrhoids is blood during a bowel movement. The blood can be found on the stool itself, on the toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl, and it is usually very bright red. This is often a little bit unsettling for the internal hemorrhoid sufferer as they don’t have any other symptoms.
- Skin irritation – Another of the symptoms of hemorrhoids that can present itself with internal hemorrhoids is skin irritation. The swollen vein can secrete mucus which can lead to irritated skin around the anus. This often leads to pain and discomfort.
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids – External Hemorrhoids
Because of the sensitive area where external hemorrhoids develop, they are often very painful. There are obviously more external hemorrhoid symptoms, and they are listed below.
- Pain – External hemorrhoids are often very painful, as there are many pain receptors in this area. The inflammation and swelling can cause minor discomfort or excruciating pain, depending on the severity of the hemorrhoid.
- Blood – Like with internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids are often accompanied with blood during bowel movements. And again, it can show up on the toilet paper, the stool, or within the toilet.
- Itching – This can be a bit embarrassing, but external hemorrhoids are often very itchy. This is due to a combination of the strain, wiping, and skin irritation.
- False alarms – It is common to feel like you need to have a bowel movement even when you don’t. It occurs most often at the end of a bowel movement, with the feeling that there is still more to come.
- Swelling – One of the more painful external hemorrhoid symptoms is the swelling that can occur. The area around the anus swells making it uncomfortable to sit down or do much of anything.
- Painful lump or lumps – If a hemorrhoid develops a clot, it can become thrombosed. This leads to a purple or blue colored lump under the skin, and the pain accompanying a thrombosed hemorrhoid can be excruciating.
Symptoms of Hemorrhoids – When To Go To The Doctor
Hemorrhoids usually subside on their own within a couple of days, but they can be very painful in the meantime. There are many hemorrhoids home remedies that can help manage the symptoms of hemorrhoids and some can even help to get rid of them. It is very important to note that if what you think are symptoms of hemorrhoids last for an extended period of time that you go to the doctor as they can often be a sign of something more serious.