Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are embarrassing for sufferers, but are very common in both men and women. Approximately 50% of the population will experience them by the age of 50. Hemorrhoids are also common among pregnant women but are usually a temporary problem.
Hemorrhoids are nothing more than veins in the rectum and anus, which have swollen abnormally. They are very similar to the varicose veins you see on peoples' legs. When hemorrhoid veins are irritated, the surrounding membranes swell, burn, itch, will become painful and bleed. It can be quite frightening to see blood on your toilet paper and embarrassing to itch in your anus area.
Hemorrhoids can be internal or external.
- External Hemorrhoids: These are the culprits of the most common symptoms such as itching, burning and pain. Should they become more severe they can actually protrude like a lump outside your anus. Because of their obvious symptoms, external hemorrhoids get the most treatment attention.
- Internal Hemorrhoids: These are pretty harmless hemorrhoids but usually don't display the symptoms of external hemorrhoids such as itching and pain. The most common symptom is painless bleeding. However, they should always be treated because the bleeding from these hemorrhoids could be disguising blood from another cause.
Causes:
Some of the most common causes of hemorrhoids are:
- Continual and constant sitting - make it a rule to get up and walk around at least every hour to get your circulation going.
- Childbirth.
- Lifting heavy objects - don't hold your breath when lifting heavy objects, rather exhale and always remember to bend your knees.
- Diarrhea - treat this as soon as possible.
- Straining with bowel movements - either from constipation or hard stools, this may be caused by the intake of too much processed foods.
- Spending extended time on the toilet - quit reading on the toilet and spending too much time seated. This is also related to hard stools above.
Elimination of the above causes will go a long way to preventing hemorrhoids.
