What are the Symptoms of Hemorrhoids?

 

Hemorrhoid refers to swelling or ballooning of the blood vessels of the rectum, anal-rectal pathway and anal canal along with inflammation in the surrounding connective tissues. Hemorrhoids are a painful condition and are commonly referred to as Piles. Hemorrhoids present some common and some characteristic symptoms explained below:

A. Common Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

The most common of initial hemorrhoids symptoms is discomfort when passing stools. The individual is most likely to feel slight pain upon passing stools or after having relieved himself. The discomfort usually combines a bit of burning sensation and a feeling of the anus being slightly blocked. This is soon followed by itching in the anal area.

Gradually, the discomfort becomes more generalized, i.e. it is not limited to the period surrounding passing of stools. The pain and burning sensation resurface repeatedly throughout the day, in short bouts. Some people might suffer episodes of a needling or pricking sensation in the anal area. The pain is usually at its worst when passing stools, particularly if the stools are hard or the individual is heavily constipated.

B. Specific Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

During advanced stages of hemorrhoids, the pain shoots-up when taking upon the most minimal of physical exertion, like sitting down or getting up and climbing the stairs. The pain can get aggravated by wearing tight-fitting underwear or upon sweating profusely. Hemorrhoids are categorized into External and Internal Hemorrhoids and each of these conditions presents a slightly different set of symptoms, i.e. when hemorrhoids progress beyond the initial stage.

Bleeding Hemorrhoids

Bleeding Hemorrhoids can be caused by both, External and Internal Hemorrhoids. Bleeding usually happens during or after a bowel movement. The blood might be seen as small dots on the stools, around the anus or as traces on the toilet paper. Bleeding Hemorrhoids where blood leaves smaller smudges regularly, and there isn’t much blood around the anus, indicates Internal Hemorrhoids. When the bleeding is more pronounced, sudden and painful, it is more likely to be a case of External Hemorrhoids.

Palpable Hemorrhoids

Among cases of External Hemorrhoids and Prolapsed Internal Hemorrhoids, the individual might feel a part of the stools stuck after having a bowel movement. This feeling is caused by the presence of a big lumpy hemorrhoid within the anus. Such hemorrhoids can be often felt manually, i.e. they are palpable. If the hemorrhoid feels like a hardened lump in or around the circumference of the anus, it indicates an External Hemorrhoid. Internal hemorrhoids are usually not palpable. In rare cases, a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid might fall through the anal sphincter but it feels like a softer lump and can be pushed back through the anus in most cases.

Don’t ignore symptoms of Hemorrhoids

Apart from the progressive worsening of symptoms, untreated hemorrhoids can lead to complications in the form of anal fistulas or fissures, pilonidal cysts, polyps, rectal abscess, inflammatory bowel disease or rectal prolapse. Thus, early detection and treatment of hemorrhoids with effective herbal over the counter hemorrhoid remedies is seriously recommended.