How To Know You Have Hemorrhoids

How To Know If You Have Hemorrhoids

Sometimes you might find it hard to know if you have hemorrhoids or not, maybe it will be clearer after reading this article.

After a bowel movement if you feel pain in the anus area and see blood in the toilet or on the tissue you may be pretty sure you got hemorrhoids. Another sign is if you feel small lumps around the anus area you might have hemorrhoids. This is not the end of the world, curing hemorrhoids in the early stages does not need to be so hard.

Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, refer to swollen veins found around your lower rectum and anus, the same as varicose veins. This article is talking about how to know if You have Hemorrhoids and how You can get rid of them in just 48 hours with this method You can do in Your home. They can grow under the skin around your anus or in the rectum. Hemorrhoids that grow inside the rectum are called internal hemorrhoids, while those that develop around the anus are known as external hemorrhoids.

Approximately three out of four adults might have hemorrhoids in daily life. Although in another reason, everybody has hemorrhoids, clusters of veins that look like pillows found beneath the mucous skin covering on the anus and lowermost section of the rectum.

To know the signs of hemorrhoids, watch the video too!

Related articles

• Can stress cause hemorrhoids

What Causes External Hemorrhoids

The most common cause of external hemorrhoids is repeated straining while having a bowel movement. Hemorrhoids develop when the veins of the rectum or anus become dilated or enlarged and can be either internal or external. External hemorrhoids are usually found beneath the skin that surrounds the anus.

There is a range of symptoms that can affect a person with hemorrhoids. Symptoms tend to vary depending on the severity of your hemorrhoids. Some of the symptoms that you may have include the following:

• itching around the anus or rectal area
• pain around the anus
• blood in the stool

You may notice bleeding when using the bathroom. This includes seeing blood on toilet paper or in the toilet. Lumps around the anus may feel as if they are swollen.

These symptoms may also occur because of other conditions. But if you experience these symptoms, you should schedule an exam with your doctor.

Getting Help For Hemorrhoid Symptoms

You should seek treatment for hemorrhoid symptoms if:

• You have rectal bleeding for the first time.
• You have heavy rectal bleeding.
• You have rectal bleeding that is not responding to home care.
• You have other hemorrhoid symptoms, such as pain, pressure, itching, and burning, that do not respond to home care after a few days.
• You have hemorrhoid symptoms along with other symptoms such as fever, weight loss, abdominal pain, or a change in bowel habits.

Hemorrhoids are common, but hemorrhoids symptoms that do not clear up quickly with home care or that keep coming back do need to be evaluated, Hall says. The best place to start is with your primary caregiver. In many cases, a primary caregiver can make the right diagnosis and start you on the best treatment. If you need a diagnostic evaluation by a specialist, you may be sent to a gastroenterologist or a colon and rectal surgeon. If you need any surgical treatment, it should be done by a colon and rectal surgeon.

Knowing the differential diagnosis of hemorrhoid symptoms can help you prevent a minor complaint from becoming a serious problem.

Read Also: Is Preparation H Good For Hemorrhoids

Read Also: What Do Internal Hemorrhoids Feel Like To Touch

What Are The Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids

You may have no noticeable symptoms from internal hemorrhoids. Sometimes, a bowel movement may irritate an internal hemorrhoid and cause bleeding.

If the internal hemorrhoid is pushed outside of your anal opening, you may have bleeding during bowel movements and symptoms in the anal area that include:

Change In Bowel Habits

With a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid you may develop the sensation that you cant fully evacuate your bowels. You may also notice a mucous discharge or difficulty cleaning yourself following a bowel movement because of displaced toilet tissue.

These symptoms can be uncomfortable but easily treated with medical intervention.

Read Also: Is Exercise Good For Hemorrhoids

What Do External And Internal Hemorrhoids Look Like

Normal hemorrhoidal tissue cannot be seen since they must first swell and become inflamed or develop a clot to cause symptoms. One can see swollen external hemorrhoids or internal prolapsed hemorrhoids exposed outside the anus but internal hemorrhoids cannot be seen because they remain inside the anus. A thrombosed hemorrhoid will appear as a lump at the anal verge, protruding from the anus, and will be dark bluish in color because of the blood clot contained inside the swollen blood vessel. Non-thrombosed hemorrhoids will appear as a rubbery lump. Often more than one swollen hemorrhoid appears at the same time.

What Questions Should I Ask My Doctor

You may want to ask your healthcare provider:

• Why did I get hemorrhoids?
• What is the best treatment for me?
• What lifestyle changes can I make to keep from getting hemorrhoids again?
• When will symptoms improve?
• Should I look out for signs of complications?

A note from Cleveland Clinic

An estimated 15 million Americans have sought treatments for hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. But many more suffer needlessly. Dont be too embarrassed to talk to your healthcare provider about your symptoms. If hemorrhoids cause pain or discomfort, your provider has treatments that can help. You can also take steps to keep hemorrhoids from coming back.

Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 01/18/2021.

References

Don’t Miss: What To Do To Get Rid Of Hemorrhoids

What Do Hemorrhoids Feel Like

Do hemorrhoids itch? Do hemorrhoids hurt?

These are some of the first questions that people will ask when they are trying to determine the cause of their discomfort. By far, the biggest complaint regarding hemorrhoids is the itching. The feeling of blood pulsing through a swollen and twisted vein in such a sensitive region of your body is going to cause you to feel itchy.

The worst part about itching hemorrhoids is that you cant simply itch them, which typically causes the sensation to grow more severe. Sitting for a prolonged period of time will typically worsen the itching.

To alleviate itching caused by hemorrhoids you can try using cold compresses, take a warm sitz bath, or try using an over the counter ointment.

These solutions will help to reduce itching, as well as lessen the severity of other symptoms that commonly develop with hemorrhoids. Whether they are internal or external, all hemorrhoids produce the same symptoms at different levels of severity.

Common symptoms of hemorrhoids include:

• Itching
• Light bleeding
• Pain during bowel movements

Bleeding causing by hemorrhoids is not typically severe. Bleeding occurs typically during a bowel movement, when the process of pushing causes the bulbous vein to tear or scratch. When this happens, the blood will show clearly on the tissue in a streak of bright red.

What Are Internal Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are vascular structures in your rectum.Specifically, the final portion of the large intestine that your body uses to store and pass stool. These veins are cushioned by muscle and connective tissue.

Everyone has internal hemorrhoids, but we only notice them once they become a problem.

When we refer to hemorrhoids or piles, we are typically referring to hemorrhoids that have become inflamed. About half of adults over 50 experience this issue.

Internal hemorrhoids form near the end of the rectum, but you likely wont see or feel anything unusual, even when a hemorrhoid swells, because they are still far inside the body.

You only see or feel an internal hemorrhoid if they prolapse. Internal hemorrhoids do not cause pain because they are located in an area without any nerve endings. If you are experiencing pain, it may be from a different condition, such as external hemorrhoids, anal fissures or spasms.

Also Check: How To Heal Hemorrhoids After Delivery

When To Seek Medical Advice For Hemorrhoids

Lumps around the rectum and anus, and bleeding from the rectum and anus should be examined by a doctor to rule out more serious conditions.

If hemorrhoids become painful, or cause discomfort or distress, seek medical advice. Many people wait a long time before consulting a doctor, possibly due to embarrassment. Early intervention can ease discomfort. There are various ways to treat hemorrhoids, many of which are painless and/or more successful the earlier the treatment is started.

How Is Rectal Bleeding Diagnosed

Your doctor will start by asking you about your symptoms. Questions may include when you first noticed the bleeding, related symptoms youre experiencing, and what color the blood is.

• Visual or physical exam. The doctor will look or feel to check the affected area. This can include inserting a gloved, lubricated finger into the anus to check for abnormalities, such as hemorrhoids.
• Endoscopic procedures. The doctor inserts a thin, flexible lighted scope with a camera into the anus. This allows the doctor to view the area. Examples include a sigmoidoscopy or a colonoscopy.
• Blood tests. A complete blood count can help assess the extent of the bleeding and show if anemia is present.
• Stool tests. These can show if theres bleeding that isnt visible.
• Gastric lavage. If the doctor suspects the problem may lie in the stomach, they may pass a tube through the nose into the stomach to remove the contents and try to locate the site of any bleeding.
• Imaging tests. This could be a scan or an X-ray, possibly with a contrasting agent, such as barium.

Rectal bleeding treatments depend on the cause and severity.

You May Like: How To Control Bleeding Hemorrhoids

Recommended Reading: Do Hemorrhoids Burn When You Pee

When Do Hemorrhoids Require Medical Intervention

Your hemorrhoids can be an embarrassing topic to discuss with anyone, even your doctor. But hemorrhoids are common and affect 5% of adults in the United States every year, according to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. Its estimated, in fact, that as many as three in four adults will experience problems with hemorrhoids at some point in their lives.

Though you can find many treatments for hemorrhoids at your local pharmacy, home remedies dont help everyone. At Rivas Digestive Center, located in Hollywood, Florida, our expert gastroenterologist, Dr. John Rivas, wants you to know when its time to get medical help for your hemorrhoids.

Symptoms Of Internal Hemorrhoids

Symptoms of internal hemorrhoids vary depending on their severity. Even as hemorrhoids worsen, you arent likely to experience pain due to the lack of nerve endings in the lower rectal area. Pain associated with hemorrhoids is typically caused by an associated condition, such as anal fissures or external hemorrhoids.

If you cant feel internal hemorrhoids, then how do you know theyre there?

In most cases, its because you begin to notice bleeding. You may see blood in your stool or notice it on the toilet paper when you wipe. Because this blood has a short path to travel outside the body, it should be bright red. You may not notice it right away if the bleeding is light.

While bleeding is the most common indicator of internal hemorrhoids, you may experience other symptoms if a hemorrhoid prolapses. This typically happens during a bowel movement, and in many cases, the tissue will go back in on its own. In other cases, you may have to push the tissue back in. In the case of Grade IV hemorrhoids, the tissue will remain prolapsed.

Its important to note that bleeding is also a common symptom of colorectal cancer, as well as internal hemorrhoids. Thats why we recommend you see a physician right away if you are experiencing any rectal bleeding, especially if it is accompanied by other suspect symptoms.

Only a qualified physician can accurately diagnose internal hemorrhoids.

You May Like: Can Toilet Paper Cause Hemorrhoids

How To Know If You Have Hemorrhoids And When To Seek Medical Attention

If you notice blight red bleeding during the bowel movements or you have had hemorrhoids that have shown no improvement after one week of home treatment, talk to a medical practitioner. Never assume that rectal bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids, especially if your stools change color and consistency, changes in bowel behaviors. Rectal bleeding might be caused by other ailments such as anal cancer and colorectal cancer. Seek medical attention immediately you get feeling lightheadedness, faintness, dizziness, and big amounts of rectal bleeding.

What Medications And Other Products Treat Hemorrhoids

Medications are used to control symptoms by softening the stool, decreasing the inflammation of the hemorrhoids, and treating the pain. Stool softeners work by increasing the water and fat content within the stool allowing it to be passed more easily. Docusate sodium is the most often recommended drug in this class .

Inflammation can be controlled with over-the-counter creams or suppositories. Some brand ingredients include low dose topical anesthetics to help with symptoms. Others contain astringents that help shrink the swollen tissues. Both may contain low dose steroids to decrease inflammation. People with diabetes should check with their pharmacist or health care professional before using OTC hemorrhoid treatments. If the medication contains a vasoconstrictor it may elevate blood sugar levels if absorbed in large amounts. Prescription-strength lidocaine or hydrocortisone may be offered by the health care professional.

Grade 2 and 3 hemorrhoids are initially treated the same way, using techniques to destroy hemorrhoids. These include injecting the hemorrhoid vein to make it sclerose or harden, using rubber bands to choke off the blood supply and make the hemorrhoidal tissue shrivel, or other procedures that cause the mucosa to shrivel and die.

You May Like: Why Do I Get Hemorrhoids Before My Period

Questions To Ask Your Doctor

• Why do I have hemorrhoids?
• Are there any lifestyle changes I can do that can relieve or prevent hemorrhoids?
• I saw blood on toilet paper. Is this serious?
• Are having hemorrhoids a sign of another health condition?
• Will I always have hemorrhoids?
• Is there medicine I can take for hemorrhoids? Are there side effects?

How To Tell If You Have Hemorrhoids

Almost three out of four adults have hemorrhoids but most get relief with home treatments and changes in their lifestyle.

How to tell if you have hemorrhoids can be diagnosed in many ways, if you are feeling pain in the rectal area and lumps around the anus you probably suffer from hemorrhoids. Another sign is if you see blood in the toilet or on the tissue. Hemorrhoids do not necessarily need to be painful in the early stages.

Hemorrhoids often occur due to increase pressure during pregnancy, overweight or constipation, or straining during a bowel movement. In midlife, hemorrhoid becomes a frequent complaint. Approximately half the population of people at the age of 50 have experienced several classic symptoms such as itching, rectal pain as well as bleeding and prolapse, which is a hemorrhoid that protrudes via the anal canal. How to tell if you have hemorrhoids is critical for your health however, hemorrhoids are not that dangerous, but they can become recurrent and very painful. Likely, there are ways in which you can tackle hemorrhoids. In this article, we shall be discussing how to tell if you have hemorrhoids. For more information on how to know if You have hemorrhoids check thisblogout and for info on how long does it take hemorrhoids to go away read thisarticle.

Learn what the early signs for hemorrhoids are to avoid getting them!

Related articles

You May Like: What Is The Treatment For Hemorrhoids

Read Also: Is Cortizone 10 Good For Hemorrhoids

How Do You Know If You Have Hemorrhoids When Pregnant

hemorrhoid symptoms during pregnancy

Thereof, how do you get rid of hemorrhoids during pregnancy?

To ease the discomfort of hemorrhoidsduringpregnancy:

Likewise, what causes hemorrhoids in pregnancy? As your uterus gets bigger during pregnancy,thepressure it puts on veins can cause them to swell,leadingto hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids swollenveins inthe anus and rectum are common duringpregnancy,especially in the third trimester when theenlarged uterus putspressure on the veins. Hemorrhoids canbepainful.

In respect to this, how do I know if I have hemorrhoids after pregnancy?

A hemorrhoid is a painful swelling of a veininthe rectum. After having a baby – especially afteravaginal delivery – many women develophemorrhoids.Symptoms include pain, rectal itching, bleedingafter havinga bowel movement, or a swollen area around theanus.

Are Hemorrhoids dangerous during pregnancy?

It’s common to get them duringpregnancy,especially in the third trimester. You shouldcall yourdoctor if yours bleed or hurt a lot. You’re more likely togethemorrhoids if you’re constipated, because straining tohavea bowel movement swells your veins.

You May Like Also

Is There A Cure For Hemorrhoids

So, despite your best efforts, menopause hormones have done their worst and you have developed hemorrhoids. Luckily, there are a few ways to help ease the discomfort and potentially even completely get rid of hemorrhoids.

Sometimes they just disappear on their own, but if they last more than seven days, it is time to think about consulting your doctor. In the meantime, wipe gently with damp toilet paper and blot with dry, good-quality toilet paper.

Take paracetamol to ease any pain . If the pain and itching is bothering you, try taking a warm bath with plain Epsom salts. This is best done for 20 minutes after each bowel movement.

You can wrap an ice block in an old towel and place it in the area where the hemorrhoids are hurting to ease pain and itching. Some people swear by using frozen peas, which mold themselves in all the right places! You might not want to eat the partly-defrosted peas afterwards though, so mark them with a permanent marker so they are clearly for medical relief only.

You could ask a pharmacist about over-the-counter products which can help with pain, itching and swelling. I found a spray product which really helped without me having to actually touch the area. You can buy medication in cream, spray, gel and lotion form for external hemorrhoids and in suppository form for internal piles. There are products using only a blend of natural products if you prefer that way of dealing with things.

Also Check: How To Heal Hemorrhoids At Home