Do I Have Hemorrhoids?
Nearly everyone has had or will have hemorrhoids at sometime in their life. A hemorrhoid is nothing above a swollen vein that is in the anus or outside of the anus. Hemorrhoids are just varicose veins of the anal area. One can have hemorrhoids outside of the anus, inside the anus, or a combihernation of both inside and outside the anus. These veins become swollen for a range of reasons, mostly in pregnant women, being overweight, a person that is recurrently lifting weights, people that sit for long time, and constipation or diarrhea.
Hemorrhoids can either be external or internal. External ones appear at the end of the anus. These types of hemorrhoids tend to bleed when the rectum is wiped or cleaned and can also be seen easily using a hand held mirror since they are on the outside of your body. Itching can be a problem with external hemorrhoids and the lump or swelling associated with them can be felt around the anus.
Internal hemorrhoids are usually painless and are on the inside of your body. They are caused by excessive pressure on the tissue surrounding the anus when trying to pass a hard stool. This pressure will cause tissues to stretch and swell and when passing hard stool, the irritated tissue is ripped, causing bleeding.
There are various degrees of severity with internal hemorrhoids. The most severe degree is when the hemorrhoids are constantly protruding regardless of any intent to push them back in.