Internal hemorrhoids are dilated veins inside the rectum that are not seen in the anus, and are often diagnosed when there is the presence of bright red blood in the stool or on toilet paper when defecating, itching and discomfort in the anus, which makes it difficult to go. to the bathroom.
The treatment of internal hemorrhoids varies depending on the degree of this condition and the symptoms presented, and it may be recommended to change eating habits, drink plenty of water, use ointments and, in some cases, the proctologist or gastroenterologist may also recommend procedures such as sclerotherapy or elastic bandages.
Watch the following video with Dr. Antônio Carlos and learn more about hemorrhoids:
Main symptoms
The main symptoms of internal hemorrhoids are:
- Bright red blood in the stool;
- Itching in the anus;
- Mucus exit through the anus;
- Difficulty and pain when defecating;
- Anal discomfort;
- Anal tenesmus, which corresponds to the intense urge to evacuate even if there is no longer any fecal content to be eliminated;
- Sensation of incomplete emptying of the rectum after evacuation.
In addition, it is also possible to notice the appearance of a small nodule in the anus during evacuation and which may or may not return naturally to its initial location, this nodule corresponding to the dilated veins that exit through the anus, characterizing grade 2 internal hemorrhoids. 3 or 4, depending on the characteristics.
How long do hemorrhoids last?
The duration of internal hemorrhoid symptoms depends on their classification and severity. Most internal hemorrhoids improve after a few days, and recovery can last up to a week. It is important to be careful with your diet to speed up the recovery process.
On the other hand, larger and more serious internal hemorrhoids can take between 2 and 3 weeks to improve and, in some cases, it may be necessary to consult a doctor so that the most appropriate treatment can be carried out.
How to confirm the diagnosis
The diagnosis of internal hemorrhoids must be made by a gastroenterologist or proctologist through a proctological examination, in which the doctor will evaluate the anal region to identify any changes that may indicate internal hemorrhoids. To do this, the doctor indicates the position the person should be in and then analyzes the anus, telling the person to strain as if they were defecating, as this makes it possible to check for the presence of hemorrhoids or anal fissures.
Make an appointment with your nearest gastroenterologist to investigate the possibility of internal hemorrhoids:
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In addition to the proctological examination, the doctor also evaluates the symptoms presented and the person’s history, eating habits and physical activity, because unhealthy eating and a sedentary lifestyle favor the appearance of hemorrhoids.
Are internal hemorrhoids serious?
Internal hemorrhoids are not serious, but they can cause pain and discomfort, in addition to bleeding and increasing the risk of anemia, infections or strangulation of the hemorrhoid. Therefore, it is important that a doctor is consulted when symptoms do not improve, as this will allow a diagnosis to be made and the most appropriate treatment to begin.
Degrees of internal hemorrhoids
According to the symptoms presented, internal hemorrhoids can be classified into 4 degrees, which influences the treatment recommended by the doctor:
- Grade 1 internal hemorrhoid: only bleeding is seen and the veins do not come out of the anus;
- Grade 2 internal hemorrhoid: the veins come out of the anus during evacuation, but return to their original position naturally, and there is also bleeding;
- Grade 3 internal hemorrhoid: there is also bleeding and the veins only return to their normal position when they are carefully pushed;
- Grade 4 internal hemorrhoid: there is intense bleeding and the prolapse is irreducible, that is, they do not return to their original position even when pushed.
According to the symptoms presented and the characteristics verified by the gastroenterologist or proctologist, the degree of the hemorrhoid can be indicated and treatment can be started immediately afterwards.
It is important to go to the doctor when you notice any sign or symptom indicative of internal hemorrhoids, as this will allow the doctor to make a diagnosis and recommend the most appropriate treatment.
Main causes
The appearance of internal hemorrhoids is often related to the person’s habits, such as:
- Diet low in fiber;
- Frequent use of laxatives;
- Habit of sitting on the toilet for a long time;
- Smoking;
- Sedentary lifestyle.
Furthermore, inadequate nutrition causes intestinal transit to be impaired, in addition to making the stool drier, which makes it necessary for the person to exert excessive force to evacuate, leading to the formation of hemorrhoids.
Internal hemorrhoids can also be related to local infections, be a consequence of chronic diarrhea or occur during pregnancy, which is very common due to the increase in body weight and the pressure exerted on the pelvic region by the baby. Understand why hemorrhoids appear during pregnancy and how they are treated.
What can make hemorrhoids worse?
Hemorrhoids can worsen after consuming foods with a lot of fat, refined cereals, refined flours, alcoholic beverages, caffeine and pepper. Furthermore, other factors such as sitting for a long time, making a lot of effort when evacuating and not evacuating when you feel like it, can also make hemorrhoids worse.
Therefore, the ideal is to have a correct diet to speed up recovery from hemorrhoids. See what hemorrhoid nutrition should be like.
How should the treatment be
Treatment for internal hemorrhoids must be guided by the proctologist according to the degree of the hemorrhoid, and a change in eating habits may be recommended, giving preference to foods rich in fiber, drinking plenty of fluids during the day, taking a sitz bath, using painkillers and anti-inflammatories, such as Naproxen, or the use of hemorrhoid ointments, such as Proctyl or Ultraproct. Other treatment options that may be recommended by the doctor depending on the degree of the hemorrhoid are sclerotherapy, photocoagulation, cryotherapy and the use of elastic bandages. Understand how internal hemorrhoids are treated.
In more serious cases, where the hemorrhoid becomes stuck in the anus, there is a risk of clot formation that can cause hemorrhoidal thrombosis and, therefore, the doctor may advise surgery to repair the dilated veins.
Changing eating habits is important for all types of hemorrhoids, as when consuming more fiber, intestinal transit improves and the feces become softer, making them easier to eliminate and making it less difficult to defecate. Check out the following video to find out what to eat to alleviate symptoms and prevent new hemorrhoid attacks:
