You're not a doctor, and neither am I. For people like us, complicated medical terms cause more problems than they solve. If you think you may have hemroids, you need to know exactly what you should be looking for, in plain speech. Take a closer look at your anomaly, and we'll try to determine, together, if you should be concerned.

If you are looking at an unusual or newly formed bump or lump in the anal area, it's possible that you have a hemorrhoid. Try to remember when it first appeared. Was it after a period of constipation or diarrhea? Was it shortly after giving birth? Did you recently take on a desk job or begin driving for long periods of time? Excess pressure associated with these conditions create hemroids. If you've experienced one or more of them, chances are your lump is, indeed, a hemorrhoid.

How does your bump feel? If it is soft and fleshy, but tender to the touch, it is likely a hemorrhoid. A lump that is hard may be a thrombosed hemorrhoid. This means that the affected blood vessel has burst and a blood clot has formed. However, blood clots can also be a sign of perianal hematoma, which is a bruise in the anal area.

Take a close look at your bump. External hemroids, the most commonly detected type, appear as flesh-colored or pink. If your bump is purplish and hard, it is likely that the color change is caused by a blood clot, either due to a thrombosed hemorrhoid or a bruise. However, if the area is bruise-colored and soft, or very painful, it may be a strangulated hemorrhoid. This type of hemorrhoid requires immediate treatment from a doctor.

Try to determine whether your bump begins on the outside or inside of the anus. A hemorrhoid that is completely outside the body is an external hemorrhoid. Internal hemroids, which form inside the rectum, become external bumps when they prolapse, or exit the rectum. If your hemorrhoid is an internal one that has prolapsed and does not return to the inside of the body on its own, it is a more advanced case and should be seen by your doctor.

It is important to take notes on your potential hemorrhoid to share with your doctor. List the date you first noticed it, and the conditions leading up to it. Write down its appearance, texture and other symptoms such as pain or itching. If you can, note how it has changed over a few days. Above all, make sure that your doctor examines your bump, both visually and by feel. Only a physician can diagnose hemroids.

If you suspect that you may have hemorrhoids, it is perfectly normal to examine the area yourself before making an appointment to see a doctor. However, self-examination should not take the place of a doctor's opinion. Any pain, itching or bleeding that lasts more than a few hours should be addressed by your doctor. Unfortunately, hemroids aren't the worst thing that these symptoms can signal. As we've said, we are not doctors. We cannot make a proper diagnosis. But we can make educated guesses and enter the doctor's office prepared.