Hemorrhoids are swollen, enlarged veins located inside the rectum or outside the anus. While everyone has these vascular structures, they cause symptoms only when swollen and inflamed. They are highly prevalent, affecting many people, especially those over 50. Although often benign, ignoring hemorrhoids can lead to a progression of symptoms and more serious medical concerns.
Worsening Symptoms and Discomfort
Ignoring hemorrhoids can worsen symptoms, making daily life uncomfortable. Initial mild itching or irritation around the anus can intensify, becoming persistent and more bothersome. Swelling, which might initially be subtle, can increase, making sitting or walking difficult, especially with external hemorrhoids. The discomfort can evolve into chronic pain, particularly during or after bowel movements, impacting overall quality of life.
Bleeding can also become more frequent and severe if hemorrhoids are not treated. This bleeding typically appears as bright red blood on toilet paper, in the toilet bowl, or on the stool itself. While some mild hemorrhoids may resolve on their own, especially with lifestyle changes, larger or more persistent cases rarely improve without intervention. Ongoing irritation can also lead to skin tags, which, while not painful, can cause discomfort and make hygiene challenging.
Potential Complications
Ignoring hemorrhoids can lead to more serious medical complications. One such complication is a thrombosed hemorrhoid, which occurs when a blood clot forms inside a hemorrhoid. This condition typically presents as a painful, often purplish-blue lump around the anus and can cause intense, debilitating pain that interferes with routine activities. While not usually life-threatening, a thrombosed hemorrhoid can lead to further complications like infection or, in rare cases, rupture, causing significant bleeding and pain.
Another common complication is prolapsed hemorrhoids, where internal hemorrhoids enlarge and protrude outside the anus. These range from those that retract spontaneously to those that remain permanently outside. Prolapsed hemorrhoids can cause pain, irritation, and difficulty with hygiene. If the blood supply is cut off by the anal sphincter, they can become strangulated, leading to severe pain and potential tissue death (gangrene).
Chronic or significant blood loss from untreated hemorrhoids can lead to iron-deficiency anemia. This occurs when the body lacks enough healthy red blood cells to transport oxygen, causing fatigue, weakness, and pale skin. The constant irritation and potential damage to the tissue can also increase the risk of infection, which may manifest as redness, swelling, pus, or fever, sometimes leading to an abscess, a painful collection of pus that requires medical drainage.
When to Seek Professional Medical Advice
Seek professional medical evaluation for hemorrhoid symptoms. You should consult a doctor if your symptoms, such as pain, itching, or discomfort, worsen or do not improve after about a week of self-care measures. Persistent or increasing rectal bleeding is an important sign to seek medical attention. While hemorrhoids are a common cause of bleeding, it is crucial to rule out other, more serious conditions like inflammatory bowel disease or colorectal cancer, which can also present with similar bleeding.
Other reasons to see a doctor include severe or unmanageable pain, especially if sudden and intense, potentially signaling a thrombosed hemorrhoid. If you notice a bulge that cannot be reduced or pushed back inside, or if there are any signs of infection such as fever, pus, or increased redness and swelling around the anal area, prompt medical attention is advised. Any significant change in bowel habits or the appearance of black, tarry stools should prompt immediate consultation, as these could indicate bleeding higher in the digestive tract or other underlying issues.