Are your hemorrhoids causing you a pain in the bum?

Seriously though, hemorrhoids are painful, annoying and very inconvenient....

I know from personal experience.

What exactly are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids (or piles as they are sometimes known) are a condition where veins around the anus become inflamed and swollen.

Internal hemorrhoids are swollen veins inside the anus, external hemorrhoids describe inflamed veins that are just under the skin around the anus.

An internal hemorrhoid may protrude through the anus, where it becomes painful and irritated. This is known as a protruding hemorrhoid.

Hemorrhoids are not usually serious or life threatening....just extremely sore and painful!

How are they caused?

Hemorrhoids are caused in a number of different ways. Straining on the toilet, being pregnant, constipation and unfortunately aging make them all the more likely.

Hemorrhoids are common in men and women. About half of the population has hemorrhoids by the age of fifty. Pregnant women are also more susceptible to hemorrhoids due to the increased volume of blood and the baby sitting on veins in the abdomen. Hormonal changes also cause the blood vessels to get larger. The veins are also placed under a huge strain during the birthing process. For most women, however, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy are a temporary problem, thank goodness, and usually disappear shortly after the baby is born.

What are the symptoms?

Many people have hemorrhoids, but not everyone has symptoms.

The most prevalent symptom of internal hemorrhoids is red blood on the stool, on the toilet paper, or in the toilet itself.

Symptoms of external hemorrhoids can include painful swelling or a hard lump around the anus. This is because of blood clots forming.

Excessive straining and wiping around the anus may cause soreness with bleeding and itching, which can produce a vicious cycle of symptoms.