Hemorrhoid symptoms result when the growing pressure in the pelvic region has caused the rectal veins to enlarge and become inflamed. There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids are veins in the lower rectum and anal canal which have swollen and protruded from the wall lining. You can have internal hemorrhoids for a long time before you become aware of their existence. And some people never develop symptoms. On the other hand, external hemorrhoids are often extremely painful and more serious than internal ones. They occur below the pectinate line where the internal tissue changes to external skin. Internal hemorrhoids can develop the following symptoms:

· Bleeding during a bowel movement. As the hard stool passes through the rectum, the swollen veins will begin to bleed. In most cases, there is no pain experienced because nerve endings are lacking in this area. The amount of blood loss is usually small, but it will be bright red in color.

· Mucus can be on the toilet tissue or on the bowel movement. Mucus can drain steadily from the anus.

· Rectal itching and burning from the drainage caused by the hemorrhoids. The skin around the anus can not handle the irritating fluids as the internal tissue can.

· Leakage of stool from the anus. Stool can escape with the drainage from this swollen area.

· An internal hemorrhoid can fall down (prolapse) and protrude outside the anus. Usually, there are two stages associated with prolapsed hemorrhoids. The first one is when the hemorrhoid will fall out of the anus during a bowel movement, but then it retracts back inside after defecation. The second stage is when the prolapsed hemorrhoid no longer retracts, and it remains outside the anus.

· A feeling of rectal fullness as if you need to have a bowel movement.

External hemorrhoids can have these symptoms:

· A painful swelling or hard lump around the anus which results from a blood clot forming in the veins. These hemorrhoids are said to be thrombosed because the blood in them cannot return to circulation in the body and is strangulated. This can be a serious condition that leads to gangrene (tissue death).

· Pain can be severe because of the nerve endings around the outside of the anus.

· Skin irritation can cause itching, burning and bleeding.

· Drainage of mucus and stool.

If you suspect that you have hemorrhoids or hemorrhoid symptoms you should consult your physician for a diagnosis. There are other colorectal conditions that need to be ruled out. Symptoms are important warnings from your body that it is under stress, don’t ignore them.