Hemorrhoid symptoms are the result of the breakdown in your body’s ability to deal with
the growing pressure in the pelvic and rectal area. Hemorrhoids are veins which have become swollen and inflamed. Hemorrhoid symptoms usually depend upon location. They can be of two types: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids occur within the rectum and external hemorrhoids are outside the anus. Internal hemorrhoids can remain without symptoms for a long time, but external hemorrhoids always cause serious problems. So the range of hemorrhoid symptoms can be from very slight to those requiring emergency medical treatment.

• Bleeding during a bowel movement is one of the major hemorrhoid symptoms.  Small or large amounts of bright red blood may be in the toilet bowl as well as on the toilet paper.  Internal hemorrhoids within the rectum cannot be seen or felt, and they mainly do not cause discomfort.  During a bowel movement, the stool can cause the hemorrhoids to bleed by injuring the delicate tissue. A bleeding hemorrhoid can cause even a small amount of blood in the toilet bowl to look like much more, which can be a very frightening experience. Bleeding from the bowel can also be a symptom of other digestive diseases other than a hemorrhoid symptom. You should always consult a doctor for a diagnosis to rule out more serious conditions such as colon, rectal, or anal cancer.

• Mucus on the toilet paper or in the stool is another hemorrhoid symptom. Hemorrhoids can produce mucus which oozes from the anus causing the skin to become irritated. Mucus is often present after a bowel movement with hemorrhoids.

• Itching or irritation in the rectal area is a frequent complaint of hemorrhoid sufferers.  It is one of the most aggravating hemorrhoid symptoms. The skin at the anal opening is sensitive to the drainage caused by the hemorrhoids. This area is below the pectinate line, where the interior tissue becomes external tissue or skin, and is not able to handle the irritating fluids.

• Hemorrhoids protruding from the anus are a very obvious symptom. Sometimes the straining involved in a bowel movement can push an internal hemorrhoid through the anus.  When this happens, the hemorrhoid is said to be protruding or prolapsed.  A prolapsed hemorrhoid can be the source of much pain and irritation. 

• Rectal pain happens mainly with external hemorrhoids.  This is because the nerves lie below the pectinate line where the mucous membrane turns to skin.  These hemorrhoids itch or bleed when they are irritated.  Blood can pool in an external hemorrhoid and form a clot which is called a thrombus.  This can become a hard lump resulting in severe pain, swelling and inflammation.

• Swelling around the anus occurs when the hemorrhoids become strangulated.  When this happens a blood clot forms, creating a very painful solid lump or small lumps around the anal opening.  Physicians refer to these lumps as external hemorrhoids which have thrombosed.  These hemorrhoids have strangulated when the blood flowing into the vein cannot return to the body and ceases circulating.  Tissue death may result causing gangrene.

• Leakage of feces can take place in the drainage from the anal canal. This is one of the most common internal hemorrhoid symptoms.

• Feeling of rectal fullness is another hemorrhoid symptom.  This may result in an urge to have a bowel movement even when there is no stool present.

All these hemorrhoid symptoms should be taken seriously and dealt with for optimal health. The body is a wonderful-working mechanism and utmost care should be given when it signals that all is not well. Consult a doctor to make sure that you have the correct diagnosis of hemorrhoids. You then can make the changes in your lifestyle, such as diet and exercise to regain your health. Hopefully, you will never again experience hemorrhoid symptoms.

Hemorrhoid Causes

Hemorrhoids causes can be as diverse as hemorrhoid symptoms, ranging from diet to hypertension. Basically, hemorrhoids are caused by too much pressure on the veins in the pelvic and rectal area. With pressure, the veins in the rectum become swollen and inflamed.  This pressure can be traced to many sources:

• Straining to have a bowel movement puts undue pressure on the veins causing them to swell and stretch.  Normally, tissue in the rectal area fills with blood to regulate bowel movements.  If a person strains too long and too hard with a bowel movement the veins can become hemorrhoidal. A bowel movement should be natural, spontaneous and not forced.  Bowel movements vary from individual to individual as to frequency. Normal is regarded as anywhere from three times a day to three times a week. So avoid straining when sitting on the toilet because of the added pressure that you put on the rectal area.

• Constipation is defined as bowel movements that involve excessive straining, difficulty, or discomfort, or that occurs less than three times a week. Constipation results in hard, dry stools which aggravate the sensitive tissue in the anal canal. Constipation can lead to more serious problems, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and damage to the muscles and supportive tissues of the rectal area. A diet lacking in fluid and fiber, in combination with poor bowel habits, such as holding back a bowel movement, is the most common cause of constipation.

• Diarrhea can also cause severe strain on internal and external hemorrhoids. Loose stool will irritate the sensitive tissues of the hemorrhoids causing them to further enlarge and inflame.  Diarrhea may be associated with flu, traveling, emotional upset, or overuse of laxatives. Usually, diarrhea clears up in a day or two, but chronic diarrhea will present a serious situation for the hemorrhoid sufferer.  Furthermore, sitting on the toilet for long periods of time adds more pressure to the veins.

• Lack of exercise weakens the body defenses and allows the deterioration of muscles to accelerate. It slows down the circulatory system, impeding blood flow throughout the body and contributing to the stress on the veins in the rectal area. Avoid sitting or standing too long in one position when you can use that time as an opportunity to exercise.  Regular exercise is an important part of staying healthy. Active people live longer and feel better.  Most people should exercise 30 minutes a day at least five times a week to feel better and reap the benefits of better health and avoid hemorrhoid symptoms.

• Overweight pressures the circulatory system adding to the burden the veins in the rectal area must carry.  Excess weight is a leading contributor to a host of diseases and a shortened life span.  It is estimated that 64% of the population in this country is obese and has been growing more so in the last forty years. One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to get your weight under control. Learn you body mass index or BMI number because it takes into account your weight along with your height.  Adding a more balanced diet and exercise program to your lifestyle will go along way in shedding those extra pounds.

• Inflammation or infection in the anal area from other causes will further irritate existing hemorrhoids.  One infection is called pruritus ani which is a chronic inflammation of the skin around the anus. It is usually a result of moisture accumulating in the area from anal leakage of mucous or stool. Irritation from overly vigorous cleansing and from chemicals found in creams and medications only worsens the problem. Sometimes abscesses form as a result of inflammation and infection of small glands in the lower end of the rectum causing hemorrhoid symptoms but are something else entirely. This condition requires medical attention. Other infections can be from yeast or fungi, and a doctor should be consulted for a definite diagnosis.
  
  
• Pregnancy exerts tremendous pressure on the rectum.  It is a primary hemorrhoid cause, affecting a woman usually in the last 6 months of pregnancy and immediately postpartum.  The enlarging uterus increases the burden on the pelvic veins and this slows the return of blood from your body’s lower half. The added pressure on the veins below the developing baby causes the tissue to dilate and swell. The hormone progesterone, which is secreted in greater amounts during pregnancy, causes the veins to relax increasing the swelling in them.  Progesterone also slows down the intestinal tract, leading to more constipation during pregnancy as a hemorrhoid cause.

• Diet is a major factor in hemorrhoid causes.  A diet low in fiber, created by too many unhealthy snacks and processed foods, lacks the bulk and moisture to keep the digestive track working smoothly.  Stool becomes difficult to pass, and straining increases the probability of hemorrhoids developing. It also aggravates existing hemorrhoids.  Choose a high-fiber diet adding more fruits, vegetables, and whole-grain breads and cereals to your daily intake to avoid hemorrhoid symptoms. Also, be sure to drink plenty of liquids.

• Heredity cannot be discounted as a hemorrhoid cause. Doctors believe there is a genetic link to developing hemorrhoids because in certain families the incidence of hemorrhoids is much higher than the norm. If either of your parents had hemorrhoids, it is very likely that you will also develop them in your lifetime.

• Hypertension or high blood pressure leads to stress on the circulatory system.  Portal hypertension is named for the portal vein which gathers blood from the stomach, intestine, spleen and pancreas.  Smaller veins descend from this larger one and travel through the liver.  If veins are blocked in the liver, high blood pressure results in the portal system.  Hemorrhoids can develop when the blood tries to find other ways to get around the blockage in the liver.

• Aging contributes to hemorrhoid symptoms and causes. As with constipation, your chance of suffering with hemorrhoids increases with age. About half of the population over the age of 50 has hemorrhoids. Generally, older people neglect to exercise and take-in less fluids, which contributes to constipation.  Moreover, muscles in the rectum lose their elasticity with age, so older people strain more and are more likely to develop hemorrhoids symptoms.

Hemorrhoids can bring unwanted misery into your life and certainly you have better things to do and accomplish than suffer needlessly. If you can take the symptoms that you are experiencing and trace them to the likely causes, you can formulate a plan to rid yourself completly of hemorrhoid symptoms.