Hemorrhoids are a very common problem. In order to find out whether or not you have hemroids, one of the most important things that you will want to learn about is the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Keep in mind that these symptoms can all be applied whether you believe that you have one hemroid or several hemroids. Please also keep in mind that the symptoms of external hemorrhoids and internal hemroids do vary to some degree, while it is true that they do share some very similar symptoms.

External Hemroids

External hemorrhoids can be seen visually. The most notable symptoms of external hemroids are itching, burning and irritation. These symptoms may be severe, although it is also possible for them to be very mild and in some cases, nothing more than an annoyance. In some cases, these symptoms are also often accompanied by bleeding, which may be noticed on toilet paper. Cleaning or wiping the anal area may be very painful or uncomfortable.

Internal Hemroids

Internal hemorrhoids cannot be seen visually and require a rectal exam or colonscope in order to be diagnosed. The most common symptoms of this type of hemroid is rectal bleeding. The blood may be seen on the toilet paper or on the surface of the stool. It is also likely that you may see mucus accompanying the blood on the stool. Like external hemroids, internal hemroids can also be cause you to feel an irritating, burning sensation.

Conclusion

As you can see, the main difference between these two types of hemorrhoids is that internal hemroids tend to cause you to experience more bleeding. External hemroids tend to cause the most itching and irritation, though irritation and pain can also be experienced when you have internal hemroids as well.

Keep in mind that just because you have symptoms of hemorrhoids doesn't necessarily mean that you have them. Since bleeding from the rectal area can be caused by a wide variety of other medical conditions, as can itching and irritation, it is important to visit the doctor in order to find out for sure. While your doctor will be able to diagnose external hemroids just by looking at them, it is going to be necessary for the doctor to perform a rectal exam or look through a colonscope to diagnose this type of hemroid. Until you have been diagnosed by a doctor, it is important to not diagnose or treat yourself.