While many people assume that the major symptoms of hemorrhoids include extreme pain and irritation in the area around the anus, there are other symptoms that may be present well in advance of this.
Hemorrhoids can be either internal or external, and unless internal hemorrhoids prolapse, which is a very serious condition, they typically are not painful, but the symptoms may cause you significant concern and distress. The reason these hemorrhoids are not painful is because in the upper part of the anal canal there are virtually no pain sensors, but when they swell and extend down to the exterior of the body they then become incredibly painful.
The Early Symptoms of Internal Hemorrhoids
The earliest symptoms of internal hemorrhoids include large or small amounts of bright red blood that are noted on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement. There may also be red streaks of blood on the stool.
Some people may also notice an increase in the mucus produced during a bowel movement. This may be flecked with blood or it may have significant amounts of blood depending on the amount of bleeding present.
If the internal hemorrhoid swells to the point that it protrudes from the body, it is called a prolapsed hemorrhoid. You may experience extreme pain and discomfort, itching, burning and often bleeding with this situation. It is essential to treat this as a medical emergency and seek immediate medical help.
Treating Internal Hemorrhoids
Before the pain of a prolapsed hemorrhoid is an issue, you can have a non-surgical, non-invasive type of procedure completed as well. This is known as IRC or Infrared Coagulation.
In this procedure, which typically takes about 10 minutes in your doctor’s office, a specialized laser is used to produce a pulse of warm light that is applied to the upper part of the swollen vein. This warm laser light actually causes the blood to clot in the vein, eliminating the cause of the swelling and allowing the clot, and the vein, to be absorbed back into the body.
With this option for treatment of internal hemorrhoid pain there is virtually no prep needed and no recovery downtime for patients. It is possible to have the procedure completed over a lunch break and return to work without significantly altering your normal routine.
There is no need to continue to suffer with internal hemorrhoids and the associated pain. To learn more visit us online at www.chicagohemorrhoid.com.
