Hemorrhoids -What Is It?-Symptoms

What Is It?

Hemorrhoids are lumps or masses of tissue in the anus, which contain enlarged blood vessels. Any increase in abdominal pressure may produce hemorrhoids. This may be from:

• Repeated straining to have a bowel movement, especially in people who suffer from frequent constipation.
  
• Pregnancy.
  
• Repeated episodes of diarrhea.
  
• Obesity.
  
• Many patients have no apparent explanation for the formation of hemorrhoids, however.
  

Internal hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids lie inside the anal canal, where they primarily cause the symptom of intermittent bleeding, usually with bowel movements, and sometimes mucous discharge. They are usually painless. Internal hemorrhoids also may protrude (prolapse) outside the anus, where they appear as small, grape-like masses. Usually the prolapsed hemorrhoid can be pushed back into the anus with a finger tip.
External hemorrhoids. These lie just outside the anal opening, where they primarily cause symptoms of swelling or bothersome protrusions, and sometimes discomfort. Swelling and discomfort may occur only intermittently. External hemorrhoids may also cause difficulties keeping the anal area clean after bowel movements. External hemorrhoids sometimes develop a blood clot inside of them ("thrombosis"), often after a period of diarrhea or constipation. In that case, it produces a sudden firm and painful swelling or lump around the rim of the anus.
Many patients have both internal and external hemorrhoids.
Hemorrhoids are a very common health problem. Hemorrhoids are more likely to develop in individuals who eat insufficient dietary fiber and don't get enough exercise, which can lead to repeated episodes of constipation and straining to have bowel movements.

Symptoms

• Bright red blood on the toilet paper after having a bowel movement, especially if the stool was very hard or very large. Blood also may streak the surface of the stool, or color the water in the toilet bowl.
  
• For a prolapsed hemorrhoid, a soft, grape-like mass protruding from the anus that may discharge mucous.
  
• For external hemorrhoids, bothersome protrusions and difficulties keeping the anal area clean.
  
• External hemorrhoids may also cause intermittent swelling, irritation, and mild discomfort, especially after a period of diarrhea or constipation.
  

For thrombosis of an external hemorrhoid, a painful bulge or firm lump suddenly appears at the rim of the anus. The lump may have a blue or purple tint. It may discharge blood.

• Severe pain is not a typical symptom of hemorrhoids (except for thrombosis of an external hemorrhoid).

Are Hemorrhoids Dangerous?
Hemorrhoids in most cases are not dangerous, but in rare cases they may become dangerous and emergency medical treatment may be required. If your hemorrhoid is bleeding uncontrollable you should immediately go to the emergency room. Either way you should seek a doctor to properly diagnosis your condition. Since colon cancer may have the same symptom as hemorrhoids such as bleeding in the rectum.

Home Treatment

There are various kinds of remedies available that claim to be effective in providing pain relief especially for external hemorrhoids. These products come as ointments, drops and creams that can help shrink the hemorrhoids and alleviate the pain. Aside from these commercially available relief options, you can also avail of homemade reliefs that can effectively soothe pain. Cold and warm compress and warm sitz bath are just two of the common home remedies.