A common illness, hemorrhoids or 'piles' comes with its share of symptoms but since the symptoms are misleading, people hardly notice it. Hemorrhoids are found among young people and pregnant women but as people age, the risk increases. Many adults of all ages suffer from hemorrhoids and people in the 45-65 age-groups are more prone to it. Now-a-days there are instances of even children developing the condition. Though not life threatening, this disease can cause severe pain, when hemorrhoids are inflamed or swollen.

The increased pressure in the rectal veins makes the rectal veins/anal veins become bulged, protruding or hanging out like a sac resulting in hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids can develop internally or externally. The names internal or external hemorrhoids are given according to its location above the dentate line or below it. Hemorrhoids found above the anal canal/ rectal sides are termed as internal hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids manifest closer to the anus in the lower part of the anal canal.

Symptoms

Misleading and seldom noticed, the symptoms of hemorrhoids are normally ignored by people. It is common for people to suffer from the condition but still not experiencing all the specific hemorrhoids symptoms. Sometimes hemorrhoids might be the symptom for a serious ailment too, which might not be detected, otherwise. Nevertheless, it is imperative for a person to focus on health and if there is a slightest indication of physical discomfort, seeking the help of a doctor is the best way to counter the grave consequences that may occur later.

Bleeding - common symptom for internal/external hemorrhoids

The most common symptom when you have hemorrhoids is bleeding during bowel movement. There can be traces of blood in your toilet tissue, your toilet seat or stool. Bleeding is definitely one of the prominent symptoms of both external and internal hemorrhoids. However, you must also understand that bleeding is a tricky symptom since it is caused by a gamut of reasons. Inadequate rest, continuous stress and stiff stool that cause friction in the anus also result in bleeding while defecating. Taking these points into consideration, you must look for other significant symptoms for internal and external hemorrhoids that are mentioned here.

Internal hemorrhoid symptoms

• Inflamed cluster of veins along the wall of the anal canal or drooping and protruding veins are internal hemorrhoids. When these hemorrhoids bulge out, they cause extreme pain. You can find mucus and blood in your stool, if you have bulging internal hemorrhoid.
• People complain of frequent itching when they have internal hemorrhoids. The mucus secretion due to the bulging out may irritate the anal skin and this might result in a nagging itch in that area. You might even experience skin irritation owing to the oozing mucus from the anal region.
• You will sometimes feel the constant urge to defecate even after a bowel movement. This discomfort is an indication of the hemorrhoid bulging in the end part of large intestine or anal canal. If the size of the hemorrhoid is bigger, the greater you discomfort.
• Pain in the anal region that is unbearable is another sign of internal hemorrhoids. Though internal hemorrhoids are generally not very painful, larger hemorrhoids can push you to the limits of pain. When the hemorrhoids swell and are pressurized by the anal muscles, the pain becomes prominent. The extreme pain is also a sure indication that the blood supply to the area is disrupted or cut off. This is known as strangulated hemorrhoid.

External hemorrhoid symptoms

• Rectal pain is a major sign of external hemorrhoids, when the hemorrhoids are thrombosed. When the blood clot is formed and inflamed in the external hemorrhoid, it becomes a thrombosed hemorrhoid.
• It is easy to notice external hemorrhoids since they develop outside the anal opening. A lump around the anal opening accompanied by blood while defecating can definitely indicate external hemorrhoids.
• Itching because of the mucus secretion from the enlarged tissue is also a sign of external hemorrhoids like internal hemorrhoids.
• External hemorrhoids also cause pain since they are constantly in touch with the undergarments that scrape and irritate them. As the hemorrhoids grow, the pain and irritation increases. When the external hemorrhoids prolapse, the condition becomes even worse.

The moment you spot the symptoms of hemorrhoids/piles it is advisable to begin home treatments. You can search the net or seek the help of family and friends to find a few ways to control the symptoms. Make a few changes in your lifestyle, habits and behavior and stay healthy to deal with both types of hemorrhoids. If the symptoms persist, then it might indicate grave complications like cancer or irritable bowel disorder. You must definitely fix an appointment with the doctor, in this case to save yourself from serious consequences and to ensure a healthy life!