Hemmeroid Facts and Information

Hemmeroids are Varicose Veins

In the medical world a hemorrhoid is described as an enlarged or swollen vein. Hemorrhoids are somewhat similar to varicose veins that develop in the legs, except that hemorrhoids are veins located in the anus. These veins cushion and protect the anal canal. Pain and problems occur when these veins are stretched and tear under pressure.

Hemorrhoids are a very common medical problem seen in both men and women, usually over the age of 30, with most suffering from hemorrhoids between the ages of 45 and 65 years old. It is estimated that more than a half million people seek treatment for symptomatic hemorrhoids each year in the United States. Of this half million hemmeroid suffers, 10 to 20 percent will need surgical treatment.

Causes of Hemmeroids

Most medical professionals blame the formation of hemorrhoids on prolonged sitting on the toilet and chronic straining due to constipation. Hemorrhoids are also very common during pregnancy, due to the strain from carrying the excess weight of the baby.

Internal or External Hemmeroids

You may suffer from internal or external hemorrhoids. Generally internal hemorrhoids, which are located higher up in the anus are not painful, but you will notice bleeding. Hemorrhoids will bleed bright red blood due to their abundance of arterial blood, which is different from the dark blood in your venous system. At times a hemorrhoid will protrude from the anal canal. Usually these hemorrhoids, which are called prolapsed, can be gently pushed back inside. If not, a consultation with a specialist is necessary.

External hemorrhoids are those that are itchy and painful and really uncomfortable. If you experience external hemorrhoids you will see bright red blood on the toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement.

Relieve Hemmeroids

There are ways to relieve the discomfort of hemorrhoids. A sitz bath can help to relieve the discomfort of hemorrhoids. It is suggested that you sit in a tub of warm water for fifteen minutes several times a day. When you wipe, instead of toilet paper use pads soaked with witch hazel. You can buy these pads at any drug store. Application of any of the numerous over-the-counter hemorrhoid preparations will help to relieve the discomfort and itching.

What Aggravates Hemmeroids

Prolonged periods of either standing, or sitting can aggravate hemorrhoids. Straining when you have a bowel movement is one of the chief causes of them, and will definitely make them worse and much more painful. Don't do it. The cause of constipation may be not enough fiber in your diet. Take a fiber supplement.

Any rectal bleeding of any kind should be checked by your physician. For fast relief of hemmeroid itching, pain or bleeding click on the image below.

Hemmeroid Symptoms

A hemmeroid is an enlarged or twisted vein in the wall of the lower rectum and/or the anus.

Hemmeroid may occur for many reasons, the most common of these are the extra pressure placed on the anorectal area by:

• frequent constipation or by pregnancy;
  
• aging
• obesity
• frequent use of enemas or suppositories.

Hemmeroids (or 'piles' as they are sometimes called) may be so insignificant that you will hardly notice that there is a problem or they may be so severe that the pain is excruciating and, in the more extreme cases, you may experience bleeding.

Hemmeroids may be classified as internal or external but it is possible to have both at the same time; these categories are simply referring to the hemorrhoids you can see outside the anal opening and those that are not apparent outside of your body.

Hemmeroids that are severe enough to require medical treatment are least common in men and women in their 20s or younger. It is estimated that after age 30, however, three-quarters of all Americans will have hemorrhoids that require medical treatment; most of those cases will involve men and pregnant women.

Symptoms

Minor hemorrhoids (internal or external) will not be painful and may go away without treatment of any kind.

A more serious hemorrhoid may bleed and you may notice blood in the toilet bowl, on the feces, on the toilet paper or on your undergarment.

If an internal hemorrhoid becomes large enough it will protrude through the anal opening. Often it can be pushed back inside if it does not go back inside by itself. These protruding internal hemorrhoids quickly become irritated and painful if they are allowed to remain outside. If it cannot be pushed back inside, a visit to the doctor quickly becomes a priority.

External hemorrhoids, if they are large, however, can be painful when attempting to clean the anal area after a bowel movement, they are also subject to blood clots. If a blood clot forms a painful lump may develop and the skin around the anal area will become red. This is not a life threatening situation but it does call for medical intervention.

To Reduce the Frequency and Pain of Hemmeroids

Sometimes changing your lifestyle or, more importantly, your dietary habits will allow you to avoid a reoccurrence of hemorrhoids. Adding items with a high fiber content to your diet may be enough to avoid constipation, other tactics may involve drinking six to eight eight-ounce glasses of water per day, losing excess weight and drinking a fiber supplement. Sitting on a toilet seat while reading a book is bad idea because it increases the pressure on the veins that are likely to become irritated and swell.

If you have an external hemorrhoid, perfumed soap or toilet paper may irritate it. Use a pre-moistened towelette or one of the hemorrhoid products on the market to reduce the pain and discomfort. Try sitting in a tub of warm water to reduce pain or using an ice pack to reduce swelling.

If these 'home remedies' do you no good, see your doctor. There is no need to live with the pain of hemorrhoids. For more information click on finding fast relief of hemmeroids.