Signs and Symptoms of hemorrhoids

Many ano-rectal problems mimic the similar symptoms as hemorrhoids and misinterpreted as hemorrhoids. Usually, hemorrhoids are not serious or life threatening by themselves. The most familiar symptom of hemorrhoids is bright red blood on stools or on toilet paper. However, hardly ever do the patients bleed to an extent that may cause severe anemia or any dangerous disorder.

Hemorrhoids may be internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids sometimes extend out of the anus causing irritation and pain. Because internal anal membranes do not have pain-sensitive nerve strands, these hemorrhoids usually don't cause discomfort.

When the hemorrhoids are external, they do not provide any symptom if they are small. In case of larger external hemorrhoids, you may feel a painful swelling or a hard inflammation around the anus.

Now you might be wondering what are internal and external hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoids located just above the visceral nerve are internal, usually not painful.

It may even tear down a part of the inside layer of the rectum above and protrude from the anus. This form is referred to as a prolapsing internal hemorrhoid. In the anal canal, the hemorrhoid is exposed to the disturbance of passing stool, particularly hard stools. The disturbance can lead to bleeding and sometimes pain when stool passes. The rectal lining that has been torn down produces mucus and makes the anus and the surrounding skin wet and dampened. Stool also can trickle onto the anal skin. The presence of stool and constant moisture can lead to anal itchiness, but itching is not a common symptom of hemorrhoids. The prolapsing hemorrhoids usually return into the anal canal or rectum on its own or can be pushed back inside with a finger, but it prolapses again with the next bowel movement. Less commonly, the hemorrhoid protrudes from the anus and cannot be pushed back inside, a condition referred to as incarceration of the hemorrhoid.

Common signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids are as follows:

* Spotting of blood in the stool or on the toilet paper.

* Incomplete bowel movements

* Itching around the rectum

* Soft lump felt at the opening of anus.

Too much straining, rubbing or cleaning the anus may worsen symptoms.

Normally, the symptoms of external hemorrhoids differ from those of internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids can be sensed as lumps at the anus, but they usually cause few of the symptoms that are characteristics of internal hemorrhoids.