What are the symptoms of hemorrhoids?

Under normal conditions, veins in the rectum act like pillows that prevent diarrhea or gas from exiting the rectum involuntarily. If the veins become swollen or infected, they are often referred to as piles. When the veins get too large, they can obstruct feces, as well as cause a great deal of pain. In many cases, chronic constipation is the leading cause.

Many people notice bright red rectal bleeding after a bowel movement. In some cases, they may also feel the hemroid shift in position from inside the rectum to an external site. Other people notice an unpleasant level of pressure, as well as rectal secretions that stain the underwear.


The normal physiological expansion that occurs in the rectum is approximately 3-4 cm. Unfortunately, hemroids tend to become more common as musculoskeletal tissue and elastic fibers degenerate with age. In many cases, people experience their first bout of hemorhoids while in their 30's. As piles continue to develop, they will eventually erode the rectal surface. It is important to realize that internal hemroids can shift and move to block the rectal opening. Once piles shift in this way, or prolapse, they will usually require surgical repair.