Should I be concerned about internal hemorrhoids?
I think I have an internal hemorrhoid. 2 months ago, I started seeing small traces of blood on the TP when I wiped. I thought it was just dry and irritated from wiping with the dry paper, so I started using moist baby wipes. It’s been nicer with the baby wipes (feel cleaner), but I still see traces of blood on TP and wipes. I recently had a scare where I saw A LOT of of bright red blood in the toilet, and on the tissue. I didn’t feel pain, and I wasn’t leaking blood or anything serious. I waited it out, and next session was fine….no traces of blood whatsoever. Still concerned, so I started doing research, and internal hemorrhoids seems to fit the bill (no external hemorrhoids). I started taking a lot of Benefiber and drinking lots of fluids, and ever since I haven’t had a horrific bloody episode, but I still find traces of blood here and there when wiping, nothing serious. I also haven’t had any abdominal or rectal pain…..at all!
My question is….If I maintain a high fiber diet, consume lots of water, not strain and not have long sessions on the toilet; should I be concerned that internal hemorrhoids will get any worse? Will they ever go away on their own?
If your answer is "go see a doctor", then don’t bother answering my question!
I have a high deductible insurance policy, so I like to save the visits for more serious things, and from my research, it sounds like internal hemorrhoids aren’t serious, especially with my mild symptoms. Like I said, I’ve improved my diet and habits, and it’s been good. I’m just concerned about the long run.
I’d like to point out that within the last 4 years, I’ve had about 5 moments of proctalgia fugax….a middle of the night anal charlie horse.
Tagged with: baby wipes • benefiber • charlie horse • doing research • external hemorrhoids • hemorrhoids • high deductible insurance • high fiber diet • insurance policy • internal hemorrhoid • internal hemorrhoids • mild symptoms • proctalgia fugax • rectal pain • red blood • scare • serious things • toilet • tp • traces
Filed under: Hemorrhoid Questions
angie (68)
It certainly sounds like an internal hemorrhoid. The increase fibre/water will certainly help and often the blood vessels will shrink back on their own – hemorrhoids are basically strained blood vessels around the anus, a bit like varicose veins but in the ass.
The key thing is to change your lifestyle to make sure you don’t strain; increased fibre, increased water, never hang on if you feel the need to go, take some exercise to get your intestine working, if you have a job that involves sitting try to take a standing break for about 5 minutes every hour.
There are also fairly simple treatments you can do at home to relieve the itching/pain and also to promote healing and reduce the swelling more rapidly.
You can apply aloe vera directly to relieve the symptoms
Warm baths with added lavender oil and/or tea tree oil. Lavender and tea tree ar both antiseptic and promote healing. Tea tree is the stronger of the two.
Hope some of this helps. i have put together a website with some more tips and advice that you may find helpful