What Can Cause Internal Hemorrhoids

Blood In Your Stool Can Be A Warning Sign

If you notice blood in your stool on a regular basis, you might need to see your doctor. Blood can be a warning sign of colorectal cancer or polyps. Of course, blood in the stool can also be caused by anal fissures or hemorrhoids. Either way, its still worth getting checked out. However, if you notice blood in your poop and youre experiencing fever, chills, or weight loss, this can be troubling. When these symptoms are paired together, its considered a high alert signs for a bowel disorder.

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Hemorrhoids And Their Symptoms

Hemorrhoids occur when blood vessels in your rectum or under the skin around your anus become swollen. Theyre very common. Some studies estimate that three out of every four people will experience problems with hemorrhoids at some point in their life.

Hemorrhoids can be painful and may bleed as the wall of the affected blood vessel thins and becomes irritated. Just as frequently, however, you may not have any discomfort but notice bright red blood with a bowel movement. It really all depends on the type of hemorrhoid youre struggling with.

How Can I Prevent Hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are common as you get older. These steps can help prevent hard stools and constipation that can lead to hemorrhoids:

• Dont sit too long or push too hard on the toilet.
• Go the toilet when the urge hits dont delay bowel movements.
• Drink plenty of water throughout the day.
• Eat more high-fiber foods or take supplements. Generally, women should aim for 25 grams of fiber per day, while men should get 35 grams of fiber.
• Stay physically active. Being on the move keeps bowels moving.
• Take laxatives or use enemas only as recommended by your healthcare provider. Too many laxatives or enemas can make it hard for your body to regulate how you poop.

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What Causes Internal And External Hemorrhoids And Simple Ways To Treat Them

Hemorrhoids are usually caused by increased pressure due to pregnancy, being overweight, or straining during bowel movements. By midlife, hemorrhoids often become an ongoing complaint. By age 50, about half the population has experienced one or more of the classic symptoms, which include rectal pain, itching, bleeding, and possibly prolapse . Although hemorrhoids are rarely dangerous, they can be a recurrent and painful intrusion. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do about hemorrhoids.

Your Internal Hemorrhoid Problem

Visit your doctor to learn more about this issue and discuss the treatment approach that’s right for you. To find a local colorectal specialist, try our Find a Doctor database.

As with all medical issues, your physician is the ultimate source as to what procedure best fits your needs. Discuss all options and get a second opinion if you have any doubts. These articles are intended to be a source of general information only.

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Can Hemorrhoids Affect Stool Shape

JakeWoods

Okay so for about two years now I think I have what I believe to be hemorrhoids. I can see visible lumps upon inspection of my own bottom. Theu definitely appear to be hemorrhoids but I havent had that confirmed by a doctor.

Symptoms I experience:

Sensation of pressure in the anus.

Some itchiness.

Can feel a lump when wiping.

Feel like it takes more effort to poo.

Never experienced pain or bleeding.

The main thing I want to know is whether or not hemorrhoids can affect the shape of your stool? My stools appear to be normal shaped and thickness but then towards the end they thin out and become pointy. Also look at the texture towards the end it looks as though something is scraping up against the stool. Could hemorhoids be the cause of this? I read that colon cancer is the cause of thinner stools, but my stools are normal thickness its just when it gets 3 quarters of the way, it begins to get narrower. And Im in my early twenties so although cancer is a possibility, its very unlikely.

I just wondered if anyone had one had any knowledge on this?

thanks

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How Do You Treat External Hemorrhoids Diagnosis

External hemorrhoids appear as bumps and/or dark areas surrounding the anus. If the lump is tender, it suggests that the hemorrhoid is thrombosed. Any lump needs to be carefully followed, however, and should not be assumed to be a hemorrhoid since there are rare cancers of the anal area that may masquerade as hemorrhoids.

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Preventing And Treating Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoid symptoms often settle down after a few days, without needing treatment. Haemorrhoids that occur during pregnancy often get better after giving birth.

However, making lifestyle changes to reduce the strain on the blood vessels in and around your anus is often recommended. These can include:

• gradually increasing the amount of fibre in your diet good sources of fibre include fruit, vegetables, wholegrain rice, wholewheat pasta and bread, pulses and beans, seeds, nuts and oats
• drinking plenty of fluid particularly water, but avoiding or cutting down on caffeine and alcohol
• not delaying going to the toilet ignoring the urge to empty your bowels can make your stools harder and drier, which can lead to straining when you do go to the toilet
• avoiding medication that causes constipation such as painkillers that contain codeine
• losing weight
• exercising regularly can help prevent constipation, reduce your blood pressure and help you lose weight

These measures can also reduce the risk of haemorrhoids returning, or even developing in the first place.

Medication that you apply directly to your back passage or tablets bought from a pharmacy or prescribed by your GP may ease your symptoms and make it easier for you to pass stools.

Surgery carried out under general anaesthetic is sometimes used to remove or shrink large or external haemorrhoids.

Read more about treating haemorrhoids and surgery for haemorrhoids.

What To Think About

Sometimes, increased pressure on external hemorrhoids causes them to get irritated and to clot. This causes a lump to form. You may suffer from severe pain at the site of a clotted hemorrhoid.

A procedure to relieve the pain can be done in a doctorâs office or outpatient clinic. The doctor applies local anesthesia and then makes a small incision where the lump has occurred to remove the clot and reduce pressure and pain. The procedure works best if it is done soon after the clot has formed.

If the pain is tolerable, you may choose to wait to see a doctor. The pain usually goes away in a few days. After 4 or 5 days, the pain from cutting and draining the hemorrhoid is usually worse than the pain from the clot.

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Hemorrhoids Treatment: Rubber Band Ligation

The principle of rubber band ligation is to encircle the base of the hemorrhoidal clump with a tight rubber band. The tissue cut off by the rubber band dies, and is replaced by an ulcer that heals with scarring.

A similar procedure was described in 460 BC by the Greek physician Hippocrates:

And hemorrhoids you may treat by transfixing them with a needle and tying them with very thick and woolen thread, for application, and do not foment until they drop off, and always leave one behind and when the patient recovers, let him be put on a course of Hellebore.

Rubber band ligation can be used with first-, second-, and third-degree hemorrhoids, and may be more effective than sclerotherapy. Symptoms frequently recur several years later, but usually can be treated with further ligation.

The most common complication of ligation is pain. However, bleeding one or two weeks after ligation or bacterial infection in the tissues surrounding the hemorrhoids may occur.

Conditions With Similar Symptoms

Several conditions can cause symptoms similar to hemorrhoids, such as discomfort, bleeding, and anorectal lumps, and may need to be ruled out. Some of these conditions are benign, but others may be quite serious.

Other conditions a healthcare provider may want to rule out when diagnosing hemorrhoids include warts, skin tags, proctitis, anal fissure, abscesses, rectal prolapse, and enlarged, dilated veins of the rectum and anus due to a condition such as increased portal vein blood pressure.

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What Does Skinny Poop Mean

While narrow or pencil-thin stool is not always a sign of constipation, it may be if your poop doesnt normally look that way. Constipation is usually caused by a lack of fiber in your diet or not enough exercise. Other causes include pregnancy, travel, use of some medications, and changes in your hormone levels.

Why Do I Get Hemorrhoids

Have you heard that hemorrhoids are caused by sitting on a cold, wet surface? Or that you got them because you ate too much spicy food? Or that its a condition only older populations have to worry about? False, false and false again, Schmaing says.

The truth is that the exact method of hemorrhoid formation is unknown, she explains.

All that said, the experts do have some pretty good hunches about what may be triggering your latest flare-up. The most likely causes are increased pressure in your abdomen and pelvis, as well as a natural weakening of the body tissue surrounding your veins, which allows them to bulge.

Thats why hemorrhoids often occur in pregnant women, people who lift heavy objects like weightlifters and those who repeatedly push or strain to do their business, often due to constipation or diarrhea.

It also explains why many people think that piles are only a concern as you age. While its most common between the ages of 45 and 65, unfortunately, the reality is that you can get hemorrhoids at any age.

Even though what you eat or dont eat doesnt directly cause hemorrhoids, your diet can also play a huge role. For example, if you dont consume enough water or fiber, youre more likely to become constipated. With all that increased straining, well, you see how this all flushes out.

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Can Fibroids Cause Bleeding During Bowel Movements

The short answer is yes, they can. If youve noticed bleeding during bowel movements, it could be that you have an internal hemorrhoid instead of an external one. Even though they may not be as painful as external hemorrhoids, internal veins tend to bleed. Internal hemorrhoids may bleed during straining or pressure this happens when the surface of the inflamed vein becomes damaged.

Fibroids dont directly cause bleeding during bowel movements because they grow inside or on the uterus. However, they can cause severe constipation which could lead to an internal or external hemorrhoid in the rectum. Since the uterus, intestines, bladder, and rectum are all in the pelvic region of your body, fibroids can impact any one of these vital organs.

Why Do Hemorrhoids Cause Gas

Since hemorrhoid and constipation itself is the worse version of the disease, it is necessary if the bloating and gas are also suffered by the patients.

Can hemorrhoids cause gas and bloating? Gas and bloating are produced by some types of foods for piles that particularly contain fat. Fat acid in those foods has a characteristic that stimulates the production of gas inside the stomach.

When the condition is continued, it causes hemorrhoids. Thats why some people may be suffered from hemorrhoids while having the gas problem as well. For this reason, also, fatty foods are considered one of the foods to avoid hemorrhoids. Some people afraid of hemorrhoids can cause cancer if left untreated.

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Can Hemorrhoids Bleed When Passing Gas

Hemorrhoids are not known to cause bleeding when passing gas.

Many experts believe that the rectal bleeding that arises from having internal hemorrhoids is from a hard stool passing through the bowels.

The hard stool scrapes the lining that is located inside the rectum, and this is where the bleeding originates.

However, hemorrhoids can make passing gas uncomfortable, as well as when you are sitting and standing in certain positions.

If you are experiencing bleeding when passing gas, let your doctor know right away.

Your doctor may want to perform additional examinations if this is a persisting issue for you.

Stages Or Grades Of Internal Hemorrhoids

There are different stages of hemorrhoids and not all of them form because of the same reasons. These stages are measured by intensity and their severity.

Stage OneIn this stage, the internal hemorrhoid is prolapsed and causes a bleeding session. But it still stays inside the rectum and is not spread out further.

Stage TwoAfter prolapsing, the internal hemorrhoids tend to extend out the anal canal and they can even reduce on their own.

Stage ThreeAt this stage, the hemorrhoids dont reduce and its even further prolapsed than the previous stage. Although they can manually reduce themselves which is good news. Using different methods, these hemorrhoids can be pushed back into the rectum. Read the article, How to push hemorrhoid back in or watch the YouTube video here.

Stage FourThe internal hemorrhoids at this stage are the most intense and severe for the patient. At this stage, the internal hemorrhoids can not be reduced and they remain like that. Even if you try manual reduction methods, they wont exactly work on this.

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Change In Bowel Habits

While it is common for people to experience a change in their bowel habits from time to time, there are some changes that should be evaluated by a physician if they persist. If you notice any of these changes to your bowel habits, take note of when the changes began to occur and any other lifestyle changes may have occurred at the same time. This information will help your physician determine the cause.

• Diarrhea. Loose stool and diarrhea are common occurrences. The condition can be caused by intolerance to certain foods, medication, stress, or exposure to bacteria . Most people will get at least a mild case of diarrhea several times per year. In most cases, the condition will resolve itself within two to three days. Your health care provider should investigate diarrhea that lasts more than three days.
• Constipation. Constipation is defined as having less than three bowel movements in a week, and it is one of the most common gastrointestinal complaints. Having constipation, however, does not mean you have colon cancer. A change in your diet, poor nutritional habits, stress, dehydration or lack of physical activity can also cause constipation. Physicians generally recommend that if you have constipation for more than two weeks, you should see your doctor so a cause can be determined.

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What Does Severe Fibroids And Constipation Pain Feel Like

Fibroid pain is often debilitating, affecting all areas of a womans life. Cramps are often so severe, NSAIDs dont manage the pain as well as they do for regular menstrual discomfort. Depending on the size and number of fibroids within the uterus, the pelvic area might feel full, enlarged, or heavy. Additionally, fibroids can cause back and leg pain if they press on sensitive nerves.

In comparison, hemorrhoid pain can range anywhere from little to no pain, to itching or burning. Wiping or going to the restroom might be uncomfortable and feel hot. Experiencing sharp abdominal pain is also associated with constipation and hemorrhoids. Both fibroids and rectal pain is uncomfortable and can be treated easily with the right measures.

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When To Go To The Hospital

Most of the time hemorrhoids can be managed by your primary care physician. A few situations exist that may require that instead you to go to the hospital emergency department.

If you have considerable pain, bleeding, or a prolapsed hemorrhoid and are unable to get in touch with your doctor, then you should be evaluated in the emergency department.

If you have a large amount of bleeding from your rectum, become weak, or experience lightheadedness you should be evaluated in the emergency department.

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You Have Diverticular Bleeding

Diverticula are a pouch-like structures that can develop in the colon and eventually bleed, says Kumar . Itâs not entirely known why these diverticula form, but itâs thought that it has something to do with weak spots in the colon wall.

There isnt typically any abdominal or rectal pain associated with the condition, but the bleeding can be so severe that you might end up in the hospital for a colonoscopy to identify the site of the bleeding. After a diagnosis, your doctor might prescribe a high-fiber diet to help stop diverticula from forming, says Kumar.

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Procedures For Hemorrhoids Treatment

Some hemorrhoids can’t be managed with conservative treatments alone, either because symptoms persist or because an internal hemorrhoid has prolapsed. Fortunately, a number of minimally invasive hemorrhoid treatments are available that are less painful than traditional hemorrhoid removal and allow a quicker recovery. These procedures are generally performed in a surgeon’s office or as outpatient surgery in a hospital.

Band it. The most commonly used hemorrhoid treatment in the United States is rubber band ligation, in which a small elastic band is placed around the base of a hemorrhoid . The band causes the hemorrhoid to shrink and the surrounding tissue to scar as it heals, holding the hemorrhoid in place. It takes two to four procedures, done six to eight weeks apart, to completely eliminate the hemorrhoid. Complications, which are rare, include mild pain or tightness , bleeding, and infection. Other office procedures include laser or infrared coagulation, sclerotherapy, and cryosurgery. They all work on the same principle as rubber band ligation but are not quite as effective in preventing recurrence. Side effects and recurrence vary with the procedure, so consult your physician about what’s best for your situation.