Got hemorrhoids? Unpleasant to have, and not discussed in polite company, hemorrhoids are common. Symptoms are swelling and/or inflammation of the veins in the anus and rectum. What are those? The rectum is the tail end of your insides; the anus is the body's exit point for wastes. Here is more detail. There are two types of hemorrhoids; external and internal. Internal hemorrhoids happen inside the rectum. They will bleed if irritated. However, there is good news about the internal kind. First, you cannot see them because they are hidden inside the body. In fact, many who have the internal kind are not aware of them. Second, they are not painful because there are no pain receptors where they develop.
If serious and untreated, internal hemorrhoids can turn into prolapsed or strangulated hemorrhoids. Prolapsed ones are those that end up so enlarged they are actually extruded outside the body. If the anus, or the anal sphincter, clinches up or goes into a spasm, a prolapsed hemorrhoid can become pinched off and strangled outside the body. In non-technical language, this is "not a good thing." External hemorrhoids are, no surprise, outside the body. They are not the kind of thing you will show off at office parties but you will know you have them. They can be painful. They can become enlarged and irritated. They can itch like the devil. What is the upside? Well, they are not normally dangerous or life threatening. In addition, even if you get them, the severe symptoms are usually with you only a few days. Moreover, you may not notice symptoms at all. This, however, is good and bad: you are not inconvenienced but you cannot deal with something you do not know about.
How do you know if you are among the millions who have hemorrhoids? The obvious indicator is often bright red blood within or on the feces. Alternatively, you could see blood on the toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. You may feel a hemorrhoid as you are cleaning yourself "back there" especially if it is irritated. In addition, if it is out there, it is asking for more irritation.
There are common causes of hemorrhoids. When you are constipated, you have to push hard to move your bowels, and that puts you risk for getting or aggravating hemorrhoids. If you sit for long periods, it can contribute to hemorrhoids. Obesity can increase the blood pressure in veins in your "back end" and become a contributing factor for hemorrhoids. Moreover, if you are pregnant...hemorrhoids are a common complaint among mothers-to-be. The good part is that the "fix" is only nine months away.
The first line of defense against hemroid flare ups is having a diet full of fiber-rich foods and drinking lots and lots of water. Eat the government recommended amounts of fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and drink fruit juices or water. A good diet and healthy living will help you have "smooth movements" and the blessing of NO HEMORHHOIDS