Hemorrhoid Symptoms

The symptoms of the external hemorrhoids typically  differ from the signs of the internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids feel like a bulge in the anus and they cause a few of the symptoms that are common to the internal hemorrhoids as well. This happens because they are present quite low in the anal canal and have very little control on the function of the anus, especially the anus sphincter. External hemorrhoids do cause some problems; nevertheless, at the time when blood clots inside them and they reach a state called thrombosis. Thrombosis of the external hemorrhoids is extremely painful and causes a lump in the anus.

Risk Factors and Causes

An assortment of causes can be contributed to the development of a hemorrhoid in the body; however, some of the potential ones are as follows:

  • Pregnancy complications,
  • Severe constipation,
  • Increase of age,
  • Liver disease,
  • Heart problems or disorders,
  • Fecal strain,
  • Overuse of laxatives,
  • Stress at the time of passing the stool,
  • Congestive & Heart disorders,
  • Cirrhosis of the liver

Mostly, half of the adults start having itchiness or bleeding along with the swelling and pain associated to different kinds of hemorrhoids, by the age of fifty.

Detecting Hemorrhoids

Diagnosis starts at home when you start noticing some inconsistencies or the above mentioned symptoms associated to hemorrhoids and can end with an extensive, detailed medical check up. At the time of a physical assessment, the doctors observe the anal area to come up with a decisive diagnosis. You must be aware that this examination requires you to remove the clothing below your waist. You might then be asked to lie down on an examination table for a check up and the physician looks for any evidence relevant to the classification of hemorrhoids as described above. In severe cases, a rectal exam may be appropriate. Further examinations include the use of anoscope which is a small tube with light. This is inserted in your rectum and the doctor can then find out the existence of internal hemorrhoids, if present.