Hemorrhoids are a curse from the Devil! That's right, you know, those painful swollen veins located in the lower portion of the rectum or anus. At least that's what it may seem like to the person who has them. That's because they can be extremely painful and very itchy when they are acting up. You should know that hemorrhoids are a very common problem in the country as a whole. As a matter of fact, it has been suggested that at least fifty percent of all Americans have experienced hemorrhoids by the age of 45. Those that require surgeries amount to about 20% of that figure.

What is the primary cause of hemorrhoids and why do people get them? Doctors and health care providers will quickly tell you that straining during bowel movements is the number one reason that people get hemorrhoids. Also mentioned as causes are constipation, diet, pregnancy, diarrhea, genetic predisposition, and having incorrect bathroom habits. In some rare cases they may be caused by other diseases, such as liver cirrhosis.

What can a doctor do to help heal hemorrhoids? A gastroenterologist or surgeon can use infrared coagulation to shrink internal hemorrhoids using heat treatments. If that doesn't do the trick and surgery is deemed necessary, procedures such as rubber band ligation or surgical hemorrhoidectomy may be used. If the blood in the hemorrhoid veins forms clots, the tissue surrounding the hemorrhoids can die. Hemorrhoids with clots usually require surgical removal.

You should consult with a doctor or health care provider if your hemorrhoid symptoms do not improve with treatment at home but rather grow continually worse. Use preventive judgment, be smart not sorry. Although rare, severe bleeding could also be a sign that a doctor visit is in order.

Can hemorrhoids be easily treated or cured? To be honest, hemorrhoids have a record of healing by themselves if given enough time. For cases such as these all you need to do is to pamper them by using such means as a warm bath, topical creams, cold compresses, Sitz baths (take a Sitz bath by sitting in warm water for 15 minutes), etc.

Changes in your dietary intake may also prove to be beneficial to you. It is well known that people from countries that have a high fiber intake also experience especially low levels of hemorrhoids. Increasing bulk in your diet with foods such as whole grains and vegetables will work wonders. Constipation worsens the symptoms of hemorrhoids, therefore just be sure to drink plenty of fluids with your fiber in order to soften the stool for easier elimination.

Those who suffer with chronic hemorrhoids should consider using natural supplements to help promote shrinking of the hemorrhoids and for lessening of symptoms.