How to know if i've got a hemorrhoid?

Bleeding or clotting: Hemorrhoids are veins in and around the anal canal. If they are not causing symptoms, i.e. Bleeding or clotting they are hard to diagnose unless they are large and stick out of the anus. Since they are full of blood if you press on them they collapse. Some times if you are staring to have a bowel movement they will stick out and can be felt that way.

A mirror helps: Concerned because of blood after wiping or in toilet? Take a peak between your cheeks immediately and look for purple "buds" bulging out of the anus. Gently pushing them in improves any discomfort and lets them shrink. A fissure can also bleed, but hurts lots more.

The symptoms: Hemorrhoids are engorged vascular tissue, usually up in the rectum just above the anus. Symptoms are generally pain or bleeding. Occasionally a blood clot, thrombosis will occur on the outside with is suddenly painful and swollen , and responds quickly to excision if done in a timely fashion.