Factors contributing to this increased pressure include normal upright posture, straining during bowel movements, prolonged sitting, constipation, diarrhea, pregnancy, trauma, and obesity. Internal hemorrhoids form inside the rectal canal and may or may not protrude through the anus.
External hemorrhoids form in the mucus membrane lining just beyond the rectal canal at the anus.
The most common symptoms of hemorrhoids are pain with bowel movements, incomplete bowel movements, rectal itching, a soft lump felt at the anal opening, or a small amount of blood on the stool or toilet paper after wiping. Occasionally, hemorrhoids are completely without discomfort and are found during a routine examination by a clinician. Bleeding from the rectum should be reported to your clinician at all times. There are, however, several more serious causes of rectal bleeding including inflammation of the intestines, rectal polyps, and cancer. The diagnosis of hemorrhoids requires the physical examination of the anus and rectum.