Internal hemorrhoids may have something that external hemorrhoids don’t have – the ability to hide. Since they are located inside the anal canal, and there is nothing visible or within reach when you wipe yourself, you may not even notice them until you see blood, which can be very scary.
Red streaks on the toilet paper, blood in the water, or bleeding noticed on your underwear all point to a problem, and hopefully the problem is a hemorrhoid and not something more serious. Bleeding is one of the obvious symptoms of hemorrhoids, as well as an obvious symptom of other problems.
Recognizing internal hemorrhoids may take some investigation as well as some understanding of what you are looking for. There are some symptoms that may not be extremely obvious to everyone, but some people may experience them with internal hemorrhoids:
- Itching: With hemorrhoids that are internal, itching may be a problem. Mucus sometimes seeps out of the hemorrhoid and may irritate to the anal skin, making it itch.
- Irritated skin: skin might become irritated, especially if the hemorrhoids are large. They might even bulge through the anal opening and have a mucus come out of them, which would irritate any skin or tissue it comes into contact with.
- Uncomfortable feeling: With this type of hemorrhoid, there is often still the urge to go to the bathroom, even right after you have gone. This is caused by hemorrhoids that bulge near the end of the anal canal. As a rule, bigger hemorrhoids mean more discomfort and a greater incidence of feeling a bulge there.
- Pain: Sometimes people don’t have pain with hemorrhoids inside, but if the hemorrhoid is large, there is a greater chance of experiencing pain. There will be more pain if the hemorrhoid comes through the rectal opening, and it may be much worse of the hemorrhoid becomes strangulated, with the blood flow being cut off. If that happens, medical attention will be required.
- Bowel Habit Changes: if you notice that you can’t go as easily as you normally can, it may be a symptom of a hemorrhoid.
Some of these symptoms can also be symptoms of colon cancer, so talking to your doctor is advised. If there is bleeding, even if you already know you have a hemorrhoid, you should see a doctor. Bleeding is a symptom that should not be passed off and needs to be evaluated by a doctor.
There may be different symptoms with internal and external hemorrhoids, but both of them can be treated successfully. Recognizing internal hemorrhoid problems may be more difficult with the less obvious symptoms, but it can be confirmed with seeing your doctor. When you know what you are dealing with, you will be able to treat it properly and begin to heal.