An internal hemorrhoid is usually undetected because it does not have any manifestation unless the condition is already in its advanced stage or a blood vessel ruptures. The usual signs are presence of blood in feces or there are occasions where the hemorrhoid prolapses but comes back by itself. When it does not come back inside the rectum, it may be pushed back by the finger, and if not, then it is already considered advanced. Another complication that happens with internal hemorrhoids is that the vein gets blood clots inside, which is very painful for the patient.

Since this condition is asymptomatic, people seek medical help only when they see blood in their stools or when some of the signs mentioned are present and the disease is already in its advanced stages. The usual causes of internal hemorrhoids are lifestyle related such as dietary habits, smoking, alcohol and inadequate fluid intake.

Dietary habits is usually the main culprit of hemorrhoids, with low fiber and high fat intake, that causes constipation leading to excessive straining each time the person moves his or her bowels.

The first degree internal hemorrhoid does not have any prolapse and can only be detected when there is blood on the stool. This can be detected by manual examination when the doctor probes the inside of the anus with his finger. Second degree internal hemorrhoids may or may not have bleeding but the blood vessels prolapse out of the anus and goes back in by itself.

The third degree hemorrhoids also protrudes out of the anus but you will need to push it back in since it won’t go back by itself unlike the second degree. And the last one is the fourth degree hemorrhoid where even you can not push it back since it is either painful or it goes back out when pushed in. This one is the kind where there may be blood clots inside the blood vessels and causes too much pain. You also need extra care in cleaning after defecation because any fecal material that is left may cause intense pruritus from irritation caused by contact of the feces with the protruding tissues.

The diagnosis of internal hemorrhoids is by digital examination where the doctor probes the inside of your anus with his finger and looks for protruding tissues in the rectal vault. This is the traditional diagnostic method being done before and is still being done by many physicians, especially those who do not have access to high tech diagnostic tools.

Another method of diagnosis is by direct visualization using an anoscope, where a small tube with a probe at the end is inserted inside the anus and the other end is used by the physician to look inside the rectal vault. Sometimes it can also be connected to a monitor so even the patient can see inside and know what it looks like.

After diagnosis, treatment should be started depending on the severity, from drugs to surgery. However, this is not the end of internal hemorrhoid because there is a need to stop its recurrence. Dietary modification is needed as well as healthy lifestyle is needed to make sure the internal hemorrhoid is eliminated for good.

Internal hemorrhoid is only discovered when you find blood on stool or when it had advanced to severe stages. Here are some ways on how to know that you have an internal hemorrhoid.