If you think you may have hemorrhoids it is likely because you are experiencing some of the following symptoms. You may be feeling:
• dull, aching pain or a sensation of heaviness in the rectal area
• swollen, protruding lumps in and around the rectal opening
• prickling or itching
• bleeding and sharp pain when having a bowel movement
• difficulty passing bowel movements
• a feeling that there is always stool in the rectum even when it has been emptied
These symptoms are incredibly common. In fact, estimates exist that suggest that the percentage of the population that is dealing with hemorrhoids may be as high as fifty percent especially when the age of that population is over fifty.
But what are they?
The area in and around our rectum contains a large number of blood vessels. When those blood vessels are subjected to an increased level of pressure on a regular basis this can weaken the vessel walls. When that happens, the walls can bulge outwards. This is one reason why hemorrhoids protrude from the tissue around them. They are painful because of the large number of nerves that are also present in the same area.
There are two different types of hemorrhoids although it is only their location that determines what kind a hemorrhoid is. If it is inside the rectal opening a hemorrhoid is known as an internal hemorrhoid. If it occurs in the area around the rectal opening it is known as an external hemorrhoid.
Why do they occur?
Hemorrhoids can occur for a number of reasons. If you are straining to pass stool you can develop hemorrhoids. Stool may be difficult to pass because of the following reasons:
• Chronic, mild dehydration can harden stool
• A lack of fiber in the diet can make stools hard and more difficult to pass
• A chronic medical condition may be causing constipation
Pregnancy can also cause hemorrhoids for the following reasons
• Hormones can cause blood vessel walls to swell and distend more easily
• Hormones can also cause chronic constipation
• The weight of the baby can cause added pressure in the area around the rectum
• The force of pushing during childbirth can cause hemorrhoids
How can you treat them?
If you have hemorrhoids you have several different treatment options that may include:
• Adding fiber to the diet to soften stool
• Using medications to treat chronic constipation
• Changing toilet practices so that you spend five minutes or less sitting on the toilet whenever possible
• Using over the counter medications and wipes to shrink and sooth hemorrhoids and treat symptoms such as pain and a feeling of pressure or heaviness in the rectal area