Hemorrhoids are normal vascular cushions in the anal canal that everyone is born with. When these cushions become enlarged, swollen, or otherwise symptomatic, people refer to them as hemorrhoids. They can be located inside the anus (internal hemorrhoids) or around the anal opening (external hemorrhoids) — and they’re also one of the most common causes of uncomfortable rectal symptoms for both women and men. In fact, most of us will have at least one symptomatic hemorrhoid at some point during our lives, perhaps due to weight gain, pregnancy, or sedentary habits.
The good news: Hemorrhoids can definitely be managed, and the sooner you have them treated, the better. In this post, Michael H. Tarlowe, MD, reviews seven “warning signs” associated with hemorrhoids to help you get the treatment you need as quickly as possible.
Persistent itching and burning are among the most recognizable signs of hemorrhoids — symptoms that tend to become worse with friction or compression. Itching and burning are worse when you have another symptom on this list: stool leakage.
While scratching or rubbing the area may provide temporary relief, the skin around hemorrhoids is particularly sensitive and fragile. Too much rubbing or scratching can lead to skin injury, which can make symptoms much worse over time.
While not all hemorrhoids cause pain, when they do, the pain can be excruciating, especially when you need to sit for long periods.
External hemorrhoids are particularly vulnerable to pain and soreness, sometimes accompanied by the feeling like you’re “sitting on something hard.” Sometimes, a clot forms inside a hemorrhoid, causing sudden, intense pain.
Hemorrhoids don’t always cause pain or itching. Sometimes the first sign of a hemorrhoid is bright red blood during or after a bowel movement. You might notice blood streaks on the toilet paper, floating in the toilet, or even on the surface of your stool.
This type of bleeding usually happens when hemorrhoids are irritated by toilet tissue, when stool is especially hard, or if you’ve been straining to move your bowels.
That said, hemorrhoids aren’t the only cause of rectal bleeding. If you notice bleeding from your rectum at any time, having a medical evaluation is essential to rule out more serious causes, like cancer.
Hemorrhoids are swollen vessels, so it’s definitely not uncommon to experience a sensation of swelling near or in your anus. Swelling is more common after bowel movements, especially if you need to push and strain.
If you have external hemorrhoids, you may feel them as painful lumps around your anus when you wipe. Internal hemorrhoids may not be visible, but they can still cause a sensation of swelling inside the anus or rectum.
While bleeding is a relatively common first indication of a hemorrhoid, feeling a lump when wiping or washing the area is another “first sign” for many people. The lump may feel relatively soft or it can feel firm, depending in part on the type and size of the hemorrhoid and whether it’s currently swollen or irritated.
Like bleeding, lumps can be associated with other problems — most notably cancer. If you feel any lump near your anus, it’s important to call the office and schedule an evaluation as soon as possible.
When hemorrhoids protrude, they can make it harder to clean effectively, especially following a bowel movement. Internal hemorrhoids can cause problems, too, when swollen tissue prevents the sphincter from closing completely.
In these instances, small amounts of stool or mucus leak out, leading to irritation or itching. In addition to being uncomfortable and embarrassing, leakage can also lead to skin irritation and infection over time.
If you have hemorrhoids, it’s not uncommon to experience sensations of fullness or pressure in your rectum or around your anus following a bowel movement. These sensations can make it feel like you still need to go — like your bowel movement wasn’t fully completed.
These feelings are usually associated with internal hemorrhoids that swell or protrude from your anus, preventing the sphincter from closing and making it feel like your bowel movement isn’t finished.
Hemorrhoids can cause a lot of discomfort, but prompt treatment can help you find relief and even reduce your risk of symptom recurrence. Prompt evaluation also rules out other possible cases, including colorectal cancer.
If you’re having any of the symptoms on this list, don’t “wait and see.” Call 954-210-7127 or request an appointment online with Dr. Tarlowe in Deerfield Beach, Florida, today.
