Hemorrhoids do not always cause symptoms, such as pain or itching in the region, and in such cases, bleeding is usually the first warning sign .
It is important to remember that blood in the stool always needs to be investigated and that there are several conditions that can be associated.
In general, the patient does not feel pain and, therefore, has difficulty in realizing that there is something wrong in the body. As the anal region is difficult to visualize, even if the hemorrhoid is in grade 2 (when exposed to evacuation), it can take time to notice it.
Only when there is an injury or rupture of the hemorrhoidal vessel, causing bleeding to occur, does the patient begin to notice changes in the body.
Among patients who manifest symptoms, the most frequent and common signs are:
- Itching (itching) in the anus region;
- Irritation;
- Pain and discomfort when evacuating;
- Presence of blood after going to the bathroom (usually bright red);
- Presence of tender or painful nodules in the anus;
- Difficulty controlling evacuation;
- Mucus is present in underwear or in bowel movements.
Read more: How to treat hemorrhoids?
Other conditions that can manifest in hemorrhoids and configure more severe and intense conditions:
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Hemorrhoidal thrombosis
The thrombosis hemorrhoidal is characterized by a nodule or protrusion, generally quite painful and differentiated color (possibly with bluish tone).
Usually, the manifestation is not gradual, that is, it starts quickly and abruptly, in which the pain intensifies in the first 48 hours and tends to regress after 4 days.
Thrombosis occurs because the veins are dilated and the blood flow tends to be slower in that part, causing it to accumulate and clot. Some conditions can favor this clotting, such as dehydration or alcohol consumption.
With coagulation, an extremely painful nodule (hardened mass) is formed, and it is possible for necrosis and ulcerations to occur in the skin covering the hemorrhoid with thrombosis.
Hemorrhoidal crisis
The hemorrhoidal crisis is the manifestation of the symptoms, characterizing the hemorrhoid episodes. The condition is usually very painful and occurs due to prolapse (that is, the exit of the internal hemorrhoids).
Read more: Hemorrhoid: what is the best medicine for treatment?
What is the difference between hemorrhoids and anal fissures?
Although hemorrhoids and anal fissures may show very similar signs and symptoms, such as pain and bleeding, the conditions are quite different.
Anal fissures are small lesions or cracks that occur in the anal wall, which are caused by trauma, usually due to hard stools, as the intestinal tissue stretches excessively to allow evacuation.
Some conditions, such as constipation, diseases that affect the intestine (such as celiac disease and Crohn’s disease), trauma due to anal sex and postoperative are among the causes of the fissure.
That is, fissures are small lesions in the anal area, while hemorrhoids are dilations or swelling of the hemorrhoidal veins.
Since pain and the presence of blood are similar symptoms in both conditions, a medical consultation is needed to determine the causes.
Read more: How to apply hemorrhoid ointments and creams?
