How do you know if you have hemorrhoids? What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids, and how can you tell? Because many people don't know much about hemorrhoids, they often delay treatment, thus missing the best time for treatment. So, how can you determine if you have hemorrhoids? Are there any detailed explanations or pictures to help identify them? Below, the editor will explain based on the symptoms and pictures of hemorrhoids, so that everyone can understand them better and choose the most suitable response method.
[Symptoms and Pictures of Hemorrhoids]
The soft venous mass formed by the dilation and curvature of the venous plexus under the mucosa at the end of the rectum and under the anal canal skin is called hemorrhoids, also known as piles, hemorrhoidal nucleus, hemorrhoidal disease, hemorrhoidal illness, etc. In medical terms, hemorrhoids include internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, and mixed hemorrhoids, which are chronic diseases.
What are the differences between internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids, and mixed hemorrhoids?
Internal hemorrhoids occur above the dentate line of the anus. Generally, internal hemorrhoids are painless and mainly characterized by bloody stools and prolapse of the hemorrhoidal nucleus. In severe cases, there can be spurting blood, and the prolapsed hemorrhoidal nucleus cannot return spontaneously. Other symptoms may include difficulty defecating, feeling unclean after defecation, and a sense of heaviness. Based on the degree of lesion and clinical manifestations, internal hemorrhoids can be divided into three stages: Stage I internal hemorrhoids bleed during defecation without prolapse, and the mucosa above the dentate line shows nodular elevation; Stage II internal hemorrhoids bleed during defecation, with dripping or spurting blood and prolapse of the hemorrhoidal nucleus, which can return spontaneously after defecation; Stage III internal hemorrhoids prolapse during defecation or when coughing, exerting effort, or under heavy load, causing an increase in abdominal pressure, requiring manual reduction.
External hemorrhoids are located below the dentate line, with pain and swelling as the main symptoms. There are varying sizes and shapes of skin tags around the anus. Depending on their pathological characteristics, external hemorrhoids can be classified into four types: varicose veins, connective tissue, thrombosis, and inflammatory. Among these, inflammatory external hemorrhoids are the most common, mainly characterized by protruding skin folds around the anus, redness, swelling, heat, pain, edema, obvious congestion, tenderness upon palpation, worsening pain during defecation, and slight secretion. Some may experience systemic discomfort and fever.
Mixed hemorrhoids have both internal and external hemorrhoid features, with clinical symptoms mainly including prolapse, heaviness, pain, and repeated infections of the rectal mucosa and skin.
Shenzhen YuanDa Proctology Hospital reminds: Mild hemorrhoids can inconvenience normal life, while severe ones can affect health. Long-term bleeding can lead to varying degrees of anemia, or even hemorrhagic shock, endangering life. If severe necrosis or infection occurs, it can cause systemic infection through the blood system, leading to serious consequences. Therefore, if you have hemorrhoids, it is important to take proactive measures.