Hemorrhoid Symptoms

We all have hemorrhoidal veins in the rectum, anal canal, and anus. When these veins become irritated and inflamed, they become hemorrhoids or piles, with the accompanying symptoms of swelling, pain, bleeding, itching, or burning sensation.

There are two types of hemorrhoids:

External hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids located outside of the anus are called external hemorrhoids. Here, swollen veins cause a soft lump around the anal opening. These lumps can turn hard if blood clot develops, and become painful thrombosed hemorrhoids. Since the anus has many nerve endings, external hemorrhoids can be very painful or itchy. Sometimes, the clot may even break out of the hemorrhoid by itself or dissolve back into normal blood circulation.

Internal hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum or anal canal, and are usually not painful. This is because the anal canal does not have many nerve endings. Indeed, most people are not aware that they have internal hemorrhoids until a hard stool rubbing against them cause these hemorrhoids to rupture and bleed.

Left untreated, some internal hemorrhoids can "prolapse" or be pushed out of the anal opening. Sometimes, the sphincter muscle can close shut in a spasm and trap this prolapsed hemorrhoid outside the anus. This cuts off the blood circulation, and creates a strangulated hemorrhoid.

Some prolapsed hemorrhoids can be manually "pushed" back inside the anus. Advanced cases of prolapsed hemorrhoids, however, must be surgically treated.

Prolapsed and strangulated hemorrhoid are a serious medical condition that requires immediate attention. Also, bleeding of any amount should be checked by a doctor since it may be an indication of more serious conditions, such as colorectal cancer.