Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in or around the anus. They become more regular as people age but are also associated with pregnancy and childbirth, chronic constipation, and chronic diarrhea.

Hemorrhoids are among the most common of all health ailments, afflicting 8 out of 10 people at one time or another.

Other Names for Hemorrhoids: Piles, Varicosities

Symptoms Of Hemorrhoids

External hemorrhoids

- Rectal pain occurs mainly with external hemorrhoids. You might also notice streaks of bright red blood on the toilet paper after straining to pass a stool.

- In rare cases, a vein inside an external hemorrhoid breaks. Blood may pool under the skin, forming a hard, painful lump. This is called a thrombosed, or clotted, hemorrhoid.

- A sudden sharp or burning pain during a bowel movement, along with a small spot of blood on toilet tissue, is more likely to be an anal fissure than a hemorrhoid.

Internal hemorrhoids

- The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is rectal bleeding. You may find bright red streaks of blood on the toilet paper or bright red blood in the toilet bowl after having a normal bowel movement. Blood also may be visible on the surface of the stool.

What causes hemorrhoids?

The most basic cause of hemorrhoids is the exertion of unusual pressure on the rectal and abdominal vein system. Chronic constipation as a result of poor diet and nutrition habits is the most common offender. Straining to defecate, overuse of laxatives, obesity, liver problems, lack of exercise, pregnancy, abdominal tumors, coughing, and sneezing are all culprits in causing extra pressure in these veins.

Hemorrhoids Home Treatment

Drink lots of fluids and eat plenty of fiber.

Do not scratch. Hemorrhoids can itch, and scratching them makes them feel better. But do not give in to the urge to scratch. You can damage the walls of these delicate veins and make matters worse.

Avoid salt as much as possible. Excess sodium can make your hemorrhoids worse.

Sitting on a doughnut shaped cushion can take pressure off painful hemorrhoids.

Eat grapes. Grapes improve the venous blood circulation in the portal system, which receives the bulk of the blood from the hemorrhoidal area. A grape treatment provides good results during acute hemorrhoidal attacks.