An internal hemorrhoid is usually undetected because it does not have any signs unless the condition is already in its advanced stage or a blood vessel ruptures. The usual signs are presence of blood in stool or there are occasions where the hemorrhoid prolapses but comes back by itself. When it does not come back inside the rectum, it may be pushed back by the finger, and if not, then it is already considered advanced. Another complication that happens with internal hemorrhoids is that the vein gets blood clots inside, which is extremely painful for the patient.
Since this condition is asymptomatic, people seek medical help only when they see blood in their feces or when some of the signs mentioned are present and the disease is already in its advanced stages. The usual causes of internal hemorrhoids are lifestyle related such as dietary habits, smoking, alcohol and low fluid intake.
Dietary habits is usually the main cause of hemorrhoids, with low fiber and high fat intake, that causes constipation leading to excessive straining every time the person moves his or her bowels.
The first degree internal hemorrhoid does not have any protrusion and can only be detected when there is blood on the stool. This can be detected by manual examination when the doctor feels the inside of the anus with his finger. Second degree internal hemorrhoids may or may not have bleeding but the blood vessels prolapse out of the anus and goes back in by itself.
The third degree hemorrhoids also protrudes out of the anus but you will need to push it back in since it won’t go back by itself unlike the second degree. And the last one is the fourth degree hemorrhoid where even you can not push it back because it is either painful or it goes back out when pushed in. This one is the type where there can be blood clots inside the blood vessels and causes too much pain. You also need extra care in cleaning after defecation because any fecal material that is left may cause intense itchingfrom irritation caused by contact of the feces with the protruding tissues.
The diagnosis of internal hemorrhoids is by digital examination where the doctor probes the inside of your anus with his finger and looks for protruding tissues in the rectal vault. This is the traditional diagnostic method being done before and is still being done by many physicians, especially those who do not have access to high tech diagnostic tools.
Another method of diagnosis is by direct visualization using an anoscope, where a small tube with a probe at the end is inserted inside the anus and the other end is used by the doctor to look inside the rectal vault. Sometimes it can also be connected to a monitor so even the patient can see inside and learn what it looks like.
After detection, treatment should be started depending on the severity, from drugs to surgery. However, this is not the end of internal hemorrhoid because there is a need to prevent its recurrence. Dietary modification is needed as well as healthy lifestyle is needed to ensure the internal hemorrhoid is gone for good.
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