What Are Hemorrhoids, What Causes Them and How Can You Prevent and Treat Them?

Hemorrhoids which are also known as piles, are swollen and inflamed veins in your anus and rectum. They could result in the straining of a bowel movement or the increased pressure of these veins during pregnancy. There are many other factors that could contribute to hemorrhoid bleeding.

There are two types of hemorrhoids, internal and external. If you have a bleeding hemorrhoid then it is probably internal. These types of hemorrhoids are found in the anal canal. You cannot see or feel these types of hemorrhoids.

Straining and irritation from passing stool can injure a hemorrhoids surface and cause it to bleed. You sometimes notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet paper or in the toilet bowel water. External anal membranes lack pain sensitive nerve fibers, so these types of hemorrhoids don't cause discomfort.

The other type of hemorrhoid is external. These types tend to be painful. Sometimes the blood may pull in an external hemorrhoid and form a blood clot causing pain, swelling and inflammation. While these hemorrhoids are irritated they can itch or bleed.

These are some causes of hemorrhoids. Constipation, diarrhea, sitting or standing for long periods, obesity, pregnancy and child birth. It's also possible for someone to inherit a tendency to develop hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids is an increasingly common problem among both men and women. A hemorrhoid is a cushion of tissue and varicose veins located in and around the rectal area. When hemorrhoids become inflamed they can itch, bleed and sometimes cause severe pain. When you notice you have a bleeding hemorrhoid it is important to seek treatment as early as possible.

Bleeding hemorrhoid is most commonly caused by internal hemorrhoids. The reason for this is internal hemorrhoids occur higher up in the anal canal, where you cannot see them. Hemorrhoids may begin to form just by having constipation and straining to move stool out. Other likely factors could be pregnancy, aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea and anal intercourse.

Bleeding could also be a symptom of other digestive disease including colorectal cancer. Your doctor will take a look at the anus and rectal area to look for swollen blood vessels that indicate hemorrhoids. Your doctor will probably also do an internal rectal examine. This is where the doctor sticks his finger into the anus to check for abnormalities.The doctor might even set you up to check out your entire colon with a colonoscopy. This would be to rule out other causes of gastrointestinal bleeding.

Your doctor will tell you about measures you can take to relieve the symptoms. A warm tub bath several times a day in plain warm water for about ten minutes. Apply a hemorrhoidal cream or suppository to the affected area for a limited time. Increase fluids and fiber intake to relieve constipation. There is a number of ways to remove or reduce the size of hemorrhoids.