Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Hemorrhoids can be one of the most irritating health issues that a person can experience. While they are not generally dangerous and do not pose serious health risks to the sufferer, they are supremely uncomfortable - and can even be downright painful. If you are uncertain whether or not you have hemorrhoids, scan through the following list of common symptoms to make the determination for yourself.
Bleeding
One of the most common symptoms of hemorrhoids is bleeding. The bleeding that is associated with hemorrhoids is generally painless. Most people discover this bleeding after they have a bowel movement. Blood will appear on the toilet tissue or may be present on the toilet seat. Sometimes, it will be on the bowel movements themselves, or floating in the water in the toilet bowl. It is usually found in small quantities and is generally bright red in color. People who discover blood after having a bowel movement may panic; however, the usual culprit is hemorrhoids. Itching and Irritation
With hemorrhoids, people often experience itching and/or irritation in the region of their anus. This usually occurs due to the seepage of fluids related to the hemorrhoids. Over time, it can irritate the fragile tissues in this area and cause a great deal of discomfort.
Protrusions
Hemorrhoids may protrude from the anus in more advanced cases. A person may notice this when they have a bowel movement; it can make the sufferer feel as if they "need to go" again right away, or that they need to pass another bowel movement. They are sometimes discovered when wiping the area with toilet paper. They are usually very hard lumps and can hurt when pressed down on.
Anal Leakage
If a person's hemorrhoids are large enough and protrude from the anus a great deal, they may cause leakage to occur. Feces may leak from the anus without any prompting, since the rectum is essentially kept open due to large, immovable protruding hemorrhoids. This is usually discovered when the person removes their underclothes and sees various stains. Type-Specific Symptoms of Hemorrhoids
Internal hemroids - that is, those that remain within the anal cavity - are usually indicated primarily by the presence of blood when passing a bowel movement. Because these hemorrhoids are internal, there are usually no telltale lumps in the anal region with this variety. These hemorrhoids usually bleed after a person has strained a great deal during a bowel movement; the pressure squeezes these hemorrhoids, causing the bleeding to occur.External hemroids are the kind that can be found under the skin around a person's anus. These can become very irritated and can result in itching and bleeding in the sufferer. They are noticeable because they can usually be physically felt. They can be quite small - almost rash like - or as large as a pea; they are sometimes even larger than that. In some cases, a great deal of blood may pool within an external hemorrhoid, causing a great deal of pain. Swelling and a lot of inflammation are also common with external hemorrhoids
If you are experiencing some or all of these symptoms, then you likely have hemorrhoids. Research the proper methods of treatment, and consult your physician if necessary.
