How Do You Know If You Have Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids can cause discomfort, pain, and anxiety, significantly impacting an individual's quality of life. This common condition affects millions of people, although many are unaware they have hemorrhoids because they don't experience any symptoms. While it is common for hemorrhoids to resolve on their own, some instances of untreated hemorrhoids can develop into chronic conditions that cause complications later on. But how can you tell if you're experiencing them?

Understanding the signs and symptoms of hemorrhoids' development helps patients make inferences about their gastrointestinal and rectal health. While the early-onset symptoms of hemorrhoids seem minor and unnoticeable, seeking appropriate medical care and screening can improve a patient's quality of life, offering treatment strategies for mitigation and minimizing the risk of complications. Here, we will explore some tell-tale signs of hemorrhoids, options for hemorrhoid treatment, and steps that patients can take to minimize and reduce hemorrhoid development and recurrence. 

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What are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids, also called piles, occur when veins in the anus and rectum swell, much like varicose veins in the legs. This swelling is often caused by increased pressure in the veins, which can result from straining, stress, or other factors. Common culprits include straining during bowel movements, constipation or diarrhea, pregnancy, and obesity, all of which put extra pressure on the rectal area. 

Hemorrhoids can develop either inside the rectum (internal) or outside the anus (external). In both cases, the underlying cause is often the same: weakened tissues that support the veins in the rectal and anal area. When these tissues weaken, the veins bulge and may prolapse, protruding outside the anus. This prolapse causes significant discomfort and can occur with both internal and external hemorrhoids.

In many cases, patients are often unaware that they have hemorrhoids until they worsen or prolapse. Because internal hemorrhoids exist inside of the body, they usually have milder symptoms that go unnoticed. Identifying these mild symptoms early on can help patients seek proper treatment and make necessary lifestyle changes to reduce and minimize the development of hemorrhoids before they progress into a more serious condition. 

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Recognizing The Symptoms of Hemorrhoids: Internal vs. External

Hemorrhoids are broadly classified into two categories: internal and external. Understanding the difference between these two types of hemorrhoids is crucial for recognizing the various symptoms and treatments. 

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Internal Hemorrhoids

Internal hemorrhoids originate inside the rectum and are typically not visible or felt unless they prolapse and bulge out through the anus. Common symptoms of internal hemorrhoids include:

Pain and Itching:  Discomfort and itching are common hemorrhoid symptoms

Swelling: Internal hemorrhoids may become engorged after periods of straining or sitting which can lead to a host of symptoms including itching, discomfort, prolase or mucus discharge.

Painless Bleeding: The most noticeable sign of internal hemorrhoids — you may notice bright red blood on the toilet paper, in the toilet bowl, or on your stool after having a bowel movement. 

Prolapse: During a bowel movement, an internal hemorrhoid can bulge out through the anus, causing a feeling of increased pressure, fullness, or blocking in the anal area. The prolapse can recede into the anus on its own or be manipulated with manual repositioning to be inserted back into the body. 

Mucus Discharge: Internal hemorrhoids can sometimes produce mucus, which may cause itching or irritation in the anal area. Additionally, the presence of mucus discharge on toilet paper after having a bowel movement may also be an indicator of internal hemorrhoids. 

External Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids develop beneath the skin around the anus and are usually felt as lumps or bumps. Common symptoms of external hemorrhoids include:

‍Pain and Itching: As external hemorrhoids exist on or around the anus, they can be quite painful — especially if a blood clot forms within the hemorrhoid, causing a thrombosed hemorrhoid. These bulges around the anus can make it difficult for patients to sit and produce bowel movements as they are more exposed to increases in pressure. Additionally, external hemorrhoids are more likely to cause itching or irritation in the anal area. 

Swelling: Patients may notice increased inflammation or swelling on or around the anus.

Bleeding: While less common than with internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids can bleed if they rupture. 

Other Possible Symptoms or Complications of Hemorrhoids

While the previously mentioned symptoms are the most common, other related issues can arise. Anal itching (pruritus ani) can occur, sometimes as a symptom of hemorrhoids and sometimes as a separate condition, making it essential to distinguish between the two. In other severe cases, prolapsed hemorrhoids can weaken the anal sphincter muscles, potentially leading to fecal incontinence and stool leakage.

Visiting your healthcare provider or gastroenterologist can help you determine and diagnose any symptoms of hemorrhoids, ensuring that you care for your health and prevent any future complications.

Visiting a Gastroenterologist for Hemorrhoid Care

While many cases of hemorrhoids resolve on their own or with conservative treatment, consulting a doctor for an expert opinion is crucial to getting a formal diagnosis and treatment plan. Gastroenterologists offer treatment options and minimally invasive alternatives for hemorrhoid relief and can determine the severity of your condition. 

Suppose you are experiencing symptoms such as persistent bleeding, severe pain, changes in bowel habits, or have had a prolapsed hemorrhoid. In that case, you must visit a gastroenterologist for an evaluation and screening. Gastroenterologists provide medical treatment, such as hemorrhoid removal, to reduce or minimize the development of hemorrhoids and ensure proper diagnosis and screening for any signs of more serious issues, such as blood clotting or colorectal cancer. 

How Gastroenterologists Treat Hemorrhoids

As specialists in the digestive system, gastroenterologists are experts in treating, diagnosing, and removing hemorrhoids. To assess for hemorrhoids, gastroenterologists can perform physical examinations, such as rectal exams or colonoscopies, to gather information about your body’s gastric conditions and locate any instances of hemorrhoids in the rectum and anus. 

For more severe cases of hemorrhoids, gastroenterologists may recommend various treatment options such as:

Hemorrhoid Management: When hemorrhoids become more noticeable but are not severe enough to require complete removal, gastroenterologists may suggest lifestyle changes to manage hemorrhoids at home and treat them at their root cause. Increases in pressure on the rectum often cause hemorrhoids. Therefore, commonly recommended treatments may include increasing fiber intake, dieting and exercising, or reducing strain during bowel movements using stool softeners or other assistive devices. 

Minimally-Invasive Medical Procedures: If conservative methods fail to minimize hemorrhoids, gastroenterologists may recommend minimally invasive procedures such as hemorrhoid band ligation, sclerotherapy, or laser coagulation to target and shrink hemorrhoids. These procedures are typically performed in a doctor's office, are generally less painful, and require less recovery time than traditional surgical hemorrhoid removal techniques. 

Hemorrhoidectomy: In cases of larger, more severe external hemorrhoids — such as thrombosed, bulging, or prolapsed hemorrhoids — a hemorrhoidectomy may be required to remove them surgically. This procedure is typically performed under general anesthesia and requires extended recovery.

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Minimally-Invasive Hemorrhoid Treatment in Denver, Colorado

Recognizing and treating early symptoms of hemorrhoids can help patients take charge of their colon health and begin making necessary changes to prevent further complications or pain. While it can be challenging to identify and self-diagnose hemorrhoids at home, identifying common symptoms and traits of internal and external hemorrhoids can empower individuals to seek timely medical advice. This proactive approach can not only alleviate discomfort but also prevent the condition from worsening and leading to more serious issues like anemia, fecal incontinence, or thrombosed hemorrhoids. 

As Denver’s premier destination for hemorrhoid treatment, Dr. Ernest Castro offers personalized and comprehensive care to patients seeking relief from hemorrhoids. By conducting personalized and thorough evaluations, Dr. Castro delivers timely and accurate diagnoses that help patients get necessary medical treatment. For more information about minimally invasive hemorrhoid removal techniques or to request an appointment, visit our website or contact us at (720) 403-2648.