Signs and Symptoms of Hemorrhoids

The signs and symptoms of a hemorrhoid are simple. The most common symptom is bleeding. Although there are many hemorrhoidal symptoms, it is not necessary for you to experience all the symptoms.
There are various other diseases like intestinal diseases, liver ailments, colorectal cancers, etc. That have common symptoms of hemorrhoids. Often, various anorectal ailments like fissures, fistulas, and abscesses have symptoms that are very similar to hemorrhoids. Itching, irritation, discomfort, and bleeding are common examples.
Recent changes in bowel movements and rectal pain could indicate hemorrhoids. This is specifically so in people over the age of fifty. Often, it is not possible to distinguish the true ailment. It would then require a thorough medical analysis to arrive at the correct diagnosis.
Hemorrhoids are of two types,internal hemorrhoids,and external hemorrhoids. The symptoms of both hemorrhoids are a little overlapping while some symptoms are specific.




Common symptoms of internal and external hemorrhoids may include:

• Inflammation around the anal region. 
• Red blood with stool or on toilet paper. 
• Tenderness and a feeling of extreme discomfort soon after defecation. 
• Mucus discharge from anus with itching or could also be without itching. 
• Protrusion of soft tissue from the anus soon after defecation, which normally retracts after some time.

Internal Hemorrhoids. 

Internal hemorrhoids cause small swellings in the veins within the anal canal. Most of the time, internal hemorrhoids remain within the anal canal and therefore do not cause any pain. Sometimes these hemorrhoids could sag out and protrude out of the anus. Such bulging and protruding hemorrhoids could be painful.

Symptoms of Internal Hemorrhoids 

Internal hemorrhoid symptoms are more severe than external hemorrhoid symptoms.
The symptoms may include:

• Painless bleeding could cause bright red streaks of blood on the toilet paper or on the toilet bowl after normal bowel movements. Sometimes blood is visible on the surface of the stool. 
• Itching is common in internal hemorrhoids as these cause mucus to seep out. This leads to irritationin the anal region. 
• Sometimes internal hemorrhoids bulge out and can cause skin irritation due to mucus. 

Normally internal hemorrhoids are not painful. However, very large internal hemorrhoids could protrude out of the anal canal. Muscles around the anus could squeeze this. This is a strangulated hemorrhoid. This could cause unbearable pain. This is because squeezing causes blood supply to be cut off to the hemorrhoid. Sometimes the condition could become so serious that immediate medical treatment is necessary.
Such hemorrhoids cause immense discomfort. You feel a constant urge to defecate even immediately after a thorough bowel movement. This is due to protrusion of the hemorrhoid outside the anus.

External Hemorrhoids 

Hemorrhoids outside the anal canal are external hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoidal veins pop out and could swell around the anus causing pain and discomfort. Sometimes these lumps could turn hard due to clotting of blood. These are thrombosed hemorrhoids.Sometimes, the clot could dissolve by itself or break out of the hemorrhoid. It would then mingle with the normal circulation.

Symptoms of External Hemorrhoids 

An external hemorrhoid is a hemorrhoid occurring outside the anal canal.
The symptoms include:

• Severe pain around the anal region that often becomes unbearable. This pain could even cause extreme discomfort in cleaning the anal region. The anus has many nerve endings and therefore it could cause itchiness and pain due to external hemorrhoids. 
• Swelling around the anal region could cause a lump around the anus. This lump could have a purple or bluish tint. 
• A burning sensation around the anus specifically just before and 
• after bowel movements is a common symptom. 
• An itching sensation around the anus is predominant due to leakage of mucus. This additionally also causes severe irritation. 
• These hemorrhoids could bleed and cause a painful lump. This is a clotted or thrombosed hemorrhoid.
• These hemorrhoids cause difficulty with sitting. The problem aggravates with swelling of the hemorrhoids. Further,the pain intensifies soon after bowel movements.

(The Complete Guide To Hemorrhoids)