Hemorrhoid suffers will tell you that this condition can be a very painful event in ones life. And unfortunately, most people have some experience with hemorrhoids by the time they reach age fifty. The cause and variety may vary but the symptoms remain generally the same. Pain and some bleeding usually accompany external hemorrhoids. These, whether large hemorrhoids or not, are normally noticed as hard lump that is very sensitive and painful. This is due to the unusual pressure put on the blood vessels that cause them to become swollen and inflamed. The pressure is normally caused from extreme straining in the bathroom when one is constipated, during pregnancy and child birth due to the increase in weight and the required pushing at delivery or from occupations that require someone to spend long hours either sitting or standing.
There are also internal hemorrhoids that present with a different set of symptoms. Internal hemorrhoids can range from small to large hemorrhoids.In addition,just as the name implies, they are located within the bowel and are not usually visible from the outside. The symptoms that are exhibited with internal hemorrhoids include bright red blood in the toilet or on toilet paper as well as itching and local skin irritation due to the mucus that is secreted by internal hemorrhoids. Some times the sensation of incomplete emptying following a trip to the bathroom can become uncomfortable, but is only being caused by the pressure from the hemorrhoids to the area.
Most internal hemorrhoids are not associated with pain, although internal extremely large hemorrhoids can become painful when they begin to protrude. In some cases, if the hemorrhoids become strangulated the situation could require immediate intervention. Internal hemorrhoids are classified by size and location from stages one through four. Grade 1 is a small hemorrhoid that is a small swelling and not visible. Grade 2 graduates to a larger size and maybe pushed out with straining but quickly returns inside. Grade 3 continues to grow in size, maybe located outside the opening but are able to be pushed back in with gentle force. Grade 4 being the largest remain protruded regardless of effort to replace them. These usually require medical intervention.
One important aspect to keep in mind regarding bowel health is that any change in bowel habits, bleeding or pain requires one to seek medical advice. Whether you have none, small or large hemorrhoids with any of the above symptoms, concerns of fissures, fistulas, polyps, prolapse or inflammatory bowel disease arise. In addition to these concerns is colon or rectal cancer. A complete medical work up is necessary for anyone experiencing these signs and symptoms.
