Hemorrhoids are vascular structures in the perineal rectum which, when enlarged, can cause the hemorrhoidal disease which is often referred to as "hemorrhoids". They are found both inside and outside the anus, their dilation is triggered by an increase in the pressure of the pelvic and rectal veins and are associated with constipation, diarrhea and difficulty in evacuating. It's hard to diagnose internal ones on your own, but there are some signs and symptoms you can recognize.
Steps
Part 1 of 2: Identifying the Symptoms
Step 1. Check for blood during evacuation
You may notice traces of blood on toilet paper or in the stool; it is the most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids.
However, blood or mucus in the stool can be indicative of other diseases, such as colorectal or anal cancer, and not necessarily hemorrhoids. Be sure to see your doctor if you experience these symptoms
Step 2. Pay attention to a sense of fullness in the rectum after passing stool
Many people who suffer from internal hemorrhoids describe this feeling once they are evacuated; the reason is probably due to the fact that the swollen hemorrhoidal veins look similar to feces in the anus.
Step 3. Be aware that internal hemorrhoids can exit the rectum
You may feel them when you clean the anal area and are made up of a mass of pink skin protruding from the anus. This is a prolapse and can lead to leakage of rectal material; if this is the case for you, you may feel some discomfort, but patients don't typically describe it as a pain.
Internal hemorrhoids are not painful, because there are no sensitive fibers in the veins of this area
Step 4. If you are at risk for this disorder, you can assume that you are suffering from it
Although in most cases hemorrhoids are due to exertion during bowel movements, they can also be caused by obesity, lifting heavy objects, and even pregnancy. The veins in the pelvic area of pregnant women are subjected to greater pressure due to the presence of the fetus.
Step 5. If you have moderate hemorrhoids, you can treat them at home
Most of the internal ones can be cured simply by increasing the fiber intake in the diet and drinking more water. In this way, the stool is softened, crossing the rectum with greater ease; consequently, the internal pressure responsible for the discomfort is also reduced.
- Eat more fiber-rich foods or take them in supplement form; if you choose this second option, follow the directions on the package.
- Drink adequate amounts of water so you don't get dehydrated and keep your stool soft. It is recommended to drink between 2 and 3 liters of liquids every day, which corresponds to about 6-8 full glasses.
Part 2 of 2: Getting a Diagnosis
Step 1. See your doctor if your symptoms don't go away quickly
If you think you have this condition and the discomfort does not go away with an increased intake of fiber and water for a few days, you need to make a doctor's appointment. They can tell if you are actually suffering from internal hemorrhoids or if it is another health problem.
- Prepare for your appointment by writing down your symptoms, making a list of concerns and questions to ask your doctor, and trying to keep your stool soft at all times.
- Generally, hemorrhoids are painless and you can recognize them just by noticing the traces of bright red blood coming out of the rectum.
Step 2. Undergo the examination
Doctors can diagnose internal or external hemorrhoids through a rectal exam, during which they inspect the anus for swollen vascular structures and assess their severity.
Make sure your doctor does a rectal examination, which consists of palpating the rectum with a lubricated, gloved finger
Step 3. Be prepared for further investigation
If the bleeding is not due to hemorrhoids, your doctor is likely to recommend other more thorough tests, called sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy, as blood in the stool is a symptom of colorectal cancer.
- During sigmoidoscopy, the rectum and the lower part of the colon are observed, while with colonoscopy the entire large intestine is checked; in both cases, an endoscope is inserted through the rectum.
- Anoscopy and endoscopy are also used for the diagnosis of internal hemorrhoids. During the first examination, the doctor inserts a thin tube with a light in the first few centimeters of the rectum; endoscopy is a similar procedure, but the tube is inserted deeper.
Step 4. Get medical attention
Those for internal hemorrhoids can be complex and unpleasant, but are usually painless; generally, we use:
- Ligation - the base of the hemorrhoids is wrapped with a rubber band to cut off the blood supply;
- Injecting a chemical to shrink the bulges
- Cauterization - hemorrhoids are burned;
- Hemorrhoidectomy: surgical removal of hemorrhoids.
