What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?
Internal hemorrhoids rarely cause pain (and typically can’t be felt) unless they prolapse. Many people with internal hemorrhoids don’t know they have them because they’re inside your rectum. If you have symptoms of internal hemorrhoids, you might see bright red blood on toilet paper, in your poop or in the toilet. If an internal hemorrhoid prolapses through your anus, you may be able to gently push it back inside.
External hemorrhoids tend to be a little more noticeable because they happen outside your anus. Signs and symptoms of external hemorrhoids include:
- Itchiness or irritation around your anus
- Hard lumps near your anus that feel sore or tender
- Pain or ache in your anus, especially when you sit
- Bleeding when you wipe
A thrombosed hemorrhoid is when blood pools inside an external hemorrhoid. This can cause similar symptoms like swelling, inflammation and pain, but it’s typically much more severe and sudden.
What does a hemorrhoid look like?
Hemorrhoids look different depending on the type. You won’t see an internal hemorrhoid unless it protrudes (prolapses). A prolapsed internal hemorrhoid is usually a small lump around your butthole that you can push back in.
Non-thrombosed external hemorrhoids are usually the color of your skin. They’re soft to the touch and you can’t push them back in. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids may appear blue, black or purple and be firmer to touch. They’re often more painful.
Keep in mind that not all lumps are hemorrhoids. It’s important to contact a healthcare provider for a diagnosis.
What causes hemorrhoids?
Too much pressure on the veins in your anus or rectum, as well as irregular bowel movements, cause hemorrhoids. This pressure and irritation lead to swelling and inflammation of your veins.
Some activities or conditions that cause pressure and lead to (or worsen) hemorrhoids are:
- Pushing hard to have a bowel movement (poop)
- Straining to lift heavy objects or weightlifting
- Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
- Having chronic constipation or diarrhea
- Eating a low-fiber diet
- Being pregnant
- Having overweight/obesity
- Having anal intercourse
What are the complications of hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable and painful, but they don’t tend to cause serious problems. Rarely, people with hemorrhoids develop:
- Anemia
- Blood clots in external hemorrhoids (thrombosed)
- Infection
- Skin tags
- Strangulated hemorrhoids (muscles in the anus cut off blood flow to a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid)
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