If you are reading this article, chances are you’re wondering whether or not you have bleeding hemorrhoids. Matching up your symptoms to the ones listed below will help you discover if you do, and what kind you may have. No matter what you discover, often there is no cause for concern as the condition is usually not serious.
The main symptom is often noticing blood after having a bowel movement. It may either be on the toilet paper or on the stool itself. This is very frequent and no cause for worry unless there is a great deal of blood involved. A little bit is perfectly normal.
Itching is another main symptom. If you find yourself constantly moving around in your seat, feeling uncomfortable walking, or the urge to do something about that itching, then you probably have internal bleeding hemorrhoids. The external kind does not usually itch. The reason behind all this itching is because the swollen vessels ooze mucus. This mucus irritates the tissue surrounding the swollen area and your body reacts to the irritation, causing that itchy feeling. There are methods you can use to help ease the itching, such as sitting in warm baths or using medicated creams.
Skin irritation can occur for a similar reason. This is often associated with the external sort. If the affected area is large and protrudes from the anus, it too can secrete mucus and bother the skin around it.
Throughout all this you will experience discomfort. The larger the problem area becomes, the more discomfort you will feel. The bulging part of the vein, if internal, is often located just in the inside of the anal canal. Because of this location, even if you have already used the bathroom to have a bowel movement, you may still feel the need to do so. Because of this, while in the bathroom, some people may strain more during actual bowel movements in order to pass something that is not there. Avoid straining at all costs, as it will only further aggravate the area and make the problem worse.
Much of the time, people do not experience pain with internal hemorrhoids. However, if it grows larger, it can become painful. Likewise, if it becomes external or if blood pools in it so much as to form a clot, the pain can increase. If they are external, you may also feel pain while passing stool, as they can be squeezed by the anal muscles. If the blood supply is cut off completely, you may feel severe pain and should contact a doctor immediately.
At the moment, if you are simply uncomfortable and feeling itchy, you have nothing to be anxious about. It takes a lot to aggravate a problem to the point that it needs surgery or other medical treatment. Most people can handle things on their own and come out just fine.