Signs and Symptoms of Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal Hemorrhoids Symptoms
As many as fifty percent of Americans will suffer from hemorrhoid symptoms in their lifetime. This is a very frustrating, embarrassing, and often time painful situation. This will disrupt the lives of people both personally and professionally. Because the onset is usually unexpected, people have little choice but to be reactionary in their response. These flare-up situations can ruin vacations and cause loss of work. We strongly suggest, that when faced with hemorrhoid symptoms, you take swift action to address the problem and take proactive steps to fix your problem immediately.
Because hemorrhoids can present both internally and externally, we suggest you watch for the many symptoms. Once you have symptoms or concerns of hemorrhoids, we recommend that you seek care as soon as possible. Symptoms of hemorrhoids in order of greatest concern include:
1. Bleeding: this is potentially the most worrisome sign of hemorrhoids. It is not normal to bleed when passing a stool or when wiping after a bowel movement. This is a concern that can be seen with all types and grades of hemorrhoids, internal and external.
2. Pain: this is a common problem due to pressure building within internal or external hemorrhoid vessels. The larger the hemorrhoid the more discomfort. The anal sphincter’s closure may pull or impinge on prolapsing internal hemorrhoids retraction back into place. This causes pain and pressure to increase after passing bowel movements. It can also be related to a “new bump” or “blood clot,” known as a thrombosis, found on the outside or within the anal opening.
3. Bumps and Lumps: when new firm and quickly appearing structures appear. They are filled with clotted or thickened blood. This occurs after increases in physical or mental stress, like a new work out routine, constipation, death of someone close, divorce, coughing, or simply moving a child off to college. Compromised hemorrhoids under stress and strain stretch and fill with blood. This increase in blood flow into the external hemorrhoid is not able to quickly drain and becomes trapped and clots up.
4. Itching: often times a very difficult symptom to deal with due to its many potential causes from diet to leakage to over cleaning, etc. Many times the heat increase in hemorrhoid flare-ups causes the tissues to dry out and itch. Other times, prolapsing hemorrhoids leak mucus or soil onto the skin of the anus and the external tissues become chapped or broken down leading to itching and dermatitis.
We suggest that if you suspect or have any of these symptoms, your next step is to schedule an appointment for an evaluation of your concerns. By acting swiftly, you can get both relief of the problem and have all of your concerns addressed.
