If you have never had hemorrhoids before, you might not recognize those first symptoms. Maybe they will seem mild, and you might pass them off as not being much to worry about. If you ignore them, though, they could get worse and end up being very painful and not so easy to get control of.
Hemorrhoid problems happen to more than half of all adults at sometime in their lives. Most people will have had some problem with them before they hit age 65. Some hemorrhoid problems are mild, and some are more severe. Some go away within a few days, and others may hang on until you make some major lifestyle changes or use a hemorrhoid treatment that takes care of them.
Hemorrhoids are veins that become enlarged, irritated, and swollen. Internal hemorrhoids are those on the inside of the anal canal. They can be very painful, and they can itch. With the uncomfortable feeling they give you when you sit, they can make it difficult to do very much.
Here’s a checklist that may help you decide if you have internal hemorrhoids.
Do you have pain when having a bowel movement? If you experience pain when going to the bathroom, you might have a hemorrhoid. If you have been constipated, that could be the cause of the internal hemorrhoid. You will want to make sure your bowel movements are easier, and your stools are softer for easier passage. This will help heal the tissue that is affected, and shrink the hemorrhoid.
Have you noticed any bleeding recently? Bleeding can also be a symptom of cancer, so if you see blood, see your doctor. Bleeding from an internal hemorrhoid will usually be bright red. It can be in the toilet water, on your stool, on the toilet paper, or even on your underwear. Bleeding is common with internal hemorrhoids, and can be scary when you first see it. Make sure you are only dealing with a hemorrhoid if you see blood.
Do you experience frequent itching? Itching at the rectum can be from an internal hemorrhoid. Itching can also be caused by parasites, which need to be medically treated. If you have itching, and no other symptoms, see your doctor.
Have you noticed swelling on the exterior of your anus? Swelling may be evident on the outside, even with an internal hemorrhoid.
Do you have difficulty moving your bowels? Constipation may be caused by hemorrhoids, but also is a cause of hemorrhoids. Being regular and having softer bowel movements will help heal the tissue and veins, and may be the answer to ending the hemorrhoid problem.
Do you experience a feeling of fullness or a lump when you sit? Do you have pain when sitting for extended periods of time? Both can be a symptom of internal hemorrhoids. As the swelling goes down, and inflammation becomes less of a problem, the full feeling should leave.
Internal hemorrhoids may more difficult to identify than external hemorrhoids because they are inside. If you think you have internal hemorrhoids, you might want to have your doctor check it out. Knowing what the problem is should be the first step to looking for an internal hemorrhoid treatment.