The Many Hemorrhoids Symptoms to Watch Out For

Many people experience hemorrhoids over their life time especially if they are straining to go to the toilet. You may have them but you may not know how to spot hemorrhoids symptoms.

Most symptoms are easy to recognize but they can be unnerving when you first see them because in today’s society there are so many things we have been told to watch out for, especially where bleeding is concerned. This can be one symptom of hemorrhoids.

The most common symptoms that people experience are an itching or burning sensation in the anus after bowel movements, pain in the rectum or bleeding during bowel movements.

Usually the bleeding can be present when you wipe, in your underwear or in your stool or urine. Remember that from a hemorrhoid this normally happens after a bowel movement.

There are two ways that you can experience a hemorrhoid -- internally and externally. When it is external it is easier to treat than when it is internal, depending on the type that presents itself.

An individual may experience more symptoms when the hemorrhoids are internal. Internal symptoms may include:

Itching - This can be most annoying because it is not an itch that can immediately be taken care of because it is internal. Most people will experience this a few minutes after a bowel movement and may need to apply a special cream to get relief. The reason it itches is because the hemorrhoids will seep mucus which irritates the skin around the hemorrhoid.

Skin irritation - When the skin around the hemorrhoid becomes inflamed it will cause an irritation to the skin around it. If the hemorrhoids are large ones and protrude from the anus they can also cause irritation.

Discomfort - After a bowel movement you may feel like you are going to have another one right away. This can be caused by the protruding of the hemorrhoid at the end of the large intestine. Usually the larger the hemorrhoid the more discomfort you may feel.

Pain - The internal hemorrhoids will cause the most painful hemorrhoids symptoms because they swell and can be squeezed by the muscles that control the anus. This can be mild to extreme pain depending on the situation. If the pain is extreme it may mean that the blood supply to the anus is cut off and therefore in need of an emergency procedure.

Mucus - mucus in stools can also be an indication of hemorrhoids, but it can also indicate something more serious as well.

Situations That Increase The Risk Of Having Hemorrhoids Symptoms

There are several situations that may increase your risk of experiencing hemorrhoids. These can include persistent constipation or diarrhea, being overweight, being over 50 or having a history of hemorrhoids in the family.

For some women, pregnancy can also cause problems with hemorrhoids because the blood volume or pressure in the pelvic blood vessels can increase in the last six months as the women moves towards delivery. If she strains during delivery this can also make them happen.

Also standing or sitting a long time can make hemorrhoids worse or lifting heavy objects while holding your breath. This can create pressure in the anus and can be a major cause of hemorrhoids.