What are Hemorrhoids?

What are Hemorrhoids?

Are you hurting from a painful lump on your butt? Is the mass of blood frightening? Well if yes, then do not panic, it is probably a hemorrhoid. Hemorrhoids also known as piles, are inflamed, clogged and swollen veins around the lower rectum or anus. Although it is painful, but it is not life endangering. These are separated into two types where, External hemorrhoids develop under the skin around the anus and on the other hand internal hemorrhoids develop in the last part of the large intestine which is the lower rectum. Hemorrhoids basically result during pregnancy from the undue pressure on these veins or from tightening during bowel movements, making it extremely painful, itchy and unpleasant. Other causes include the following:

. Chronic Diarrhea
. Chronic Constipation hemorrhoids
. Aging
. Sitting for longer periods at a stretch
. Obesity
. Anal Intercourse
. Genetics- where some people inherit it
. Unhealthy diet and bad eating
. Poor Blood Circulation
. No Anal Muscle Tone

Hemorrhoids are considered as common ailments and it is thought that by age 50, most of the adults have to deal with discomfort, bleeding and itching which clearly signals the presence of hemorrhoids. The disease can also take place in the age group 18 to 50 and affects all with the same frequency. These can be placed into four stages, which includes:

1. The beginning phase is the mild phase, where the itching and pain is comparatively less, but one experiences discomfort and uneasiness during bowel movements. This builds it difficult to determine if one has fissures or internal hemorrhoids. Ice packs can be applied to numb such discomfort.

2. The second form is quite easy to detect where one will know that it is internal hemorrhoids, which is again not a severe problem. Only at this stage one suffers from bleeding and high blood pressure. Use of cold compresses is considered helpful at this stage.

3. The third stage becomes worse and therefore requires medicine and treatment. At this phase the hemorrhoids have to be pushed back in and also against the anal wall and then that it heals. High fiber diets are advocated at this stage to treat the disease.

4. The fourth phase is the most severe stage with a lot of bleeding, itching and pain. If it is not treated the right way at this stage, then it might become a serious problem. The worst case scenario at this phase is that if the hemorrhoids protrude far from the bowel movements, then in that respect is no medication from here. It too requires a lot of cold compresses, exercise, and over the counter medications to heal it.