Nearly three out of four adults experience hemorrhoid symptoms at some point in their lives. Although most cases of hemorrhoids are self-limited, David Magner, MD, FACS, FASCRS in Beverly Hills, California can help in cases when they become painful or begin to bleed. If you have anal bleeding, don’t put off seeing a doctor because you think it’s caused by hemorrhoids. It may be due to a much more severe condition, such as colorectal cancer. If you’re concerned about anal bleeding or painful hemorrhoids that don’t respond to home remedies, call Dr. Magner’s office or book online today.
Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in your anus and lower rectum. They can occur internally or externally.
Internal hemorrhoids are located inside the rectum. Usually, you can’t see or feel these hemorrhoids. You might not even know they exist unless they start to bleed.
Strain or irritation during bowel movements can tear the surface of the hemorrhoids, causing spots of bright red blood to appear.
It’s possible for internal hemorrhoids to get pushed through the anus, causing pain and irritation. This is called a prolapsed hemorrhoid and straining can cause it.
External hemorrhoids lie under the skin around the anus. It's a sensitive area with more pain-sensing nerves, so if you have external hemorrhoids, they are more likely to hurt than internal ones. They also tend to itch when irritated.
This happens when blood pools in an external hemorrhoid and forms a clot, causing swelling, inflammation, and a hard lump near your anus. Thrombosed hemorrhoids can be extremely painful.
Signs that you have hemorrhoids may include:
As common as hemorrhoids are, what causes them are mostly unknown. Men and women might be more likely to develop hemorrhoids if their parents also had them. Other factors that might increase your chances of getting hemorrhoids include:
If you’re bleeding during bowel movements, it’s important to see a doctor, even if there’s no pain. Dr. Magner can perform a physical exam or other tests that confirm your anal bleeding is due to hemorrhoids and not a more serious condition like cancer or Crohn’s disease.
You should also see a doctor if you think you have hemorrhoids due to bleeding, pain or anorectal pressure/discomfort and irritation.
Seek emergency care immediately if you’re experiencing excessive rectal bleeding that causes dizziness.