With the chances of having hemorrhoid problems at some point in life being over 50 percent, it’s a good idea to know what the symptoms of hemorrhoids are, when to treat them, and when you might need to seek medical advice.
5 Common Symptoms You Can’t Ignore
1. Pain while having a bowel movement is one of the most prominent symptoms of hemorrhoids. Most often, hemorrhoids occur because of straining and constipation. Developing a hemorrhoid from a difficult-to-pass bowel movement is quite common. Sometimes, the hemorrhoid will go away within a few days if you make sure that you have softer stools. You can use a fiber laxative or a stool softener of some kind to help with this.
2. Pain from sitting for a while might signal a hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoids are veins that have become inflamed and irritated, similar to varicose veins. Sitting down for extended periods of time is irritating to them and may be uncomfortable.
3. Itching at the rectum may mean you have a hemorrhoid. Itching and a tingling sensation could be symptoms of a hemorrhoid beginning.
4. Bleeding from the anal canal during or after a bowel movement may be an indication that you have a hemorrhoid. A doctor should be consulted whenever there is a sign of bleeding with your bowel movements. Bleeding is one symptom of hemorrhoids, but it’s also a symptom of colon cancer and should be checked out thoroughly. Hemorrhoid bleeding is usually bright red and comes from ruptured blood vessels.
5. Having veins protruding from your anal canal is a symptom of hemorrhoids. If an internal hemorrhoid protrudes from the anal canal, it is considered a prolapsed hemorrhoid and may require surgery to fix.
6. If you have a hemorrhoid that has ruptured, and a clot has developed, you may have a thrombosed hemorrhoid. This might require a surgical treatment to get rid of and can be very painful.
When to Treat Hemorrhoids
If you’ve experienced these symptoms, treatment is necessary. The best possible course of action to end a problem with hemorrhoids is to begin dealing with it as soon as you notice any symptoms. When you first feel the pain or the itching beginning, try to treat yourself with home remedies.
Keep in mind, though, that you may have to see your doctor at some point. If the problem becomes more severe, if you suspect that you have a prolapsed or thrombosed hemorrhoid, if you have a lot of pain or can’t sit for long, or if you have any sign of bleeding, you should see your doctor immediately.
Taking care of your health means taking care of every part of you. Being healthy, doing what you can to maintain your health, and making it easier to recognize problems before they get out of hand are all things you can do to make life easier. Taking control of hemorrhoids is a part of taking control of your health. Making sure you are having regular bowel movements which are easy to pass and require little or no straining may be the beginning of being healthy all the way around.