Hemorrhoids are generally enlarged or inflamed blood vessels in the posterior rectal region. The most usual symptoms of hemorrhoids are rectal bleeding, blistering, pain and itchiness.
Hemorrhoids can be internal (situated inside the posterior lower rectum) or external (beneath the skin around the anus). These two kinds of hemorrhoids may occur at the same time.
Some common symptoms of hemorrhoids are the following:
1. Rectal bleeding
2. Irritation
3. Bulging out of the skin (a hemorrhoid) from the rectum
4. Leakage of stool
Usually, rectal bleeding does not impose pain, all throughout the bowel movement. This is a very common symptom of hemorrhoids. After the bowel movement, you may observe that there are bright red blood smudges on the feces or in the toilet paper after cleaning the anus. The quantity of blood is fairly small. However, even a little amount of blood can cause the toilet water to look like vivid red and can be alarming to the person.
Less commonly, bleeding may be serious. In very rare cases, critical blood loss from rectal bleeding may result to anemia, causing weakness, exhaustion, or other related warning signs.
Without a clinical diagnosis, it is very unlikely to discover the real origin of the rectal bleeding. So, everyone with this symptom should undergo a medical exam performed by a doctor or at least a licensed medical practitioner.
Hemorrhoids can cause irritation and itching of the affected skin around the anal area. Itching can be a result of a mixture of various factors, such as the following:
1. Internal hemorrhoids can permit leakage of stool that can be itchy and irritating to the skin in the rectal area.
2. Over cleaning may irritate the skin in the rectal region.
3. Individuals with external hemorrhoids can develop minimal protrusion of the skin, commonly known as skin tags. These can often be not easy to keep clean, causing itchiness.
4. Inflammation of hemorrhoids can cause itchiness and inflammation.
On the other hand, pain may develop in persons who have thrombosis or coagulated blood within the hemorrhoid. This can happen within either external or internal hemorrhoids. Clotted external hemorrhoids are of color plum bulge. When the skin around the rectal area becomes swollen, severe pain can be experienced.
Coagulated internal hemorrhoids may also cause pain, even though commonly less extreme. Hardly ever, if the blood circulation to an internal hemorrhoid is reduced, the hemorrhoid can become asphyxiated. Asphyxiation can result to severe pain, and the lessened blood flow can cause gangrene, wherein the affected skin is dead. This can be a fatal complication and needs urgent surgical treatment.
Hemorrhoids are more likely to form in individuals who are:
1. Strain to pass bowel movements
2. Have critical constipation, diarrhea or stomach ache.
3. Have the habit or routine of prolonged sitting or standing
4. Older
5. Pregnant
6. Have a pelvic tumor
To determine the real cause of hemorrhoids, your doctor or clinician will test your rectum and anus, and may insert a gloved tube or finger into the anus.