Most people do not know that there are two types of hemorrhoids. They assume that all hemorrhoids are lumpy tissues that bleed and hurt. In actual fact, hemorrhoids are classified into 2 categories. There are external hemorrhoids and internal hemorrhoids.
When the soft tissue on the outside of the anus is irritated and inflamed, it’s known as an external hemorrhoid. When the tissues on the inside of the rectum are inflamed, it is known as internal hemorrhoid. This is pretty straightforward but you should be aware of the difference.
Most people probably think, “I don’t care where they are. I just want them gone!” This is perfectly understandable because hemorrhoids can be uncomfortable, painful and even bleed. Most people just want the hemorrhoids to quickly shrivel and fall off.
It’s much easier to diagnose external hemorrhoids because they are on the outside and can be seen and felt. The bumps that appear due to the blood-filled tissue can be treated more easily with cream, ointments, etc.
These bumps are known as piles and they can be itchy, sore and feel raw. Many people experience bleeding too. This is because the hemorrhoids are exposed and friction occurs during wiping after a bowel movement or just from normal sitting or walking. Most people who have external hemorrhoids dread sitting down due to the pain.
The good news is that external hemorrhoids are more responsive to treatments such as over-the-counter creams, pads, sitz baths, etc. Good hygiene will also help and the hemorrhoids will go away on their own after about 3 to 4 weeks.
Internal hemorrhoids are a whole different story. In most cases, there is no pain and you do not even know you have them till you see blood on the toilet paper when wiping after a bowel movement. You may also notice blood on the stools. Many people panic when they see this and wonder what internal bleeding they have. In most cases, they have internal hemorrhoids and it’s NOT life-threatening.
A symptom, of internal hemorrhoids is the constant urge to move one’s bowels even if there are no stools present. This is due to the body associating the hemorrhoids with stools and out of habit, it creates the urge.
Internal hemorrhoids can get larger and this is when the pain starts and it can get very painful. The pain is at its worse during a bowel movement due to the pressure on the rectal veins and tissues. To make matters worse, since the hemorrhoids are on the inside, you can’t treat them with creams, pads, ointments or the usual methods.
When the internal hemorrhoids swell, they can protrude through the anus. The term for this is “prolapsed hemorrhoids”. They are almost always painful and accompanied by bleeding and a discharge of mucus. The hemorrhoid’s mucus causes itching and irritation. Since the area needs to be dry to heal, the mucus hinders the healing process and aggravates the condition.
If you have prolapsed hemorrhoids, you should see a doctor and he or she may have the unenviable task of pushing the hemorrhoids back into the rectum.
Do not try to do this yourself. In some cases, the prolapsed hemorrhoid may be too large to push back. Should this happen, the hemorrhoid will become strangulated because there is no blood flow to it. Sometimes this also occurs when there is a clot in the blood supply.
The result of either scenario is a hemorrhoid that has no blood going to it and the end result is immense pain for you. You require immediate medical attention because this is an emergency.
Always err on the side of caution and consult your physician if you’re not sure. Do not endure immense pain and suffer with a stoic face. Get help and get it quick. That is the best way to put an end to the problem. Now that you know the difference between both types of hemorrhoids, you’ll know what to expect and how to deal with them effectively. That is a good start.
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