Hemorrhoids, regularly called piles, are swollen and inflamed veins in and around the anus and lower rectum. They are much like varicose veins you might see on a person’s legs. Hemorrhoids are a very ordinary health problem.

Hemorrhoids cause rigorous problems in about 4% (over 10 million) of people in the United States. Occurrence of hemorrhoidal disease increases with age until the seventh decade and then diminishes slightly. Hemorrhoids also increase in pregnancy due to direct pressure on the rectal veins.

Causes of hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are caused by too much pressure in the rectum, forcing blood to stretch and swell the blood vessels. People whose parents had hemorrhoids may be more likely to get them.

Most common causes of hemorrhoids: straining with bowel movements (from constipation or hard stools) diarrhea constant sitting sitting on the toilet for a long time childbirth pressure of the fetus in pregnant women heavy lifting familial tendency obesity

Symptoms

Symptoms of hemorrhoids include: rectal bleeding pain around the anus and rectum irritation and itching bulge or lump at the anus

Too much straining, rubbing or cleaning the anus may worsen symptoms. In most cases, the symptoms of hemorrhoids will only last a few days. Not every one with hemorrhoids will experience symptoms.

Types of hemorrhoids

The type of hemorrhoid depends on where it occurs. There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal and external.

External hemorrhoids develop around the rim of the anus. External hemorrhoids cause most of the symptoms associated with hemorrhoids (pain, burning, and itching) because the skin around them is very sensitive. If an external hemorrhoid becomes strangulated (cut off from blood supply), a clot can form in it and become an excruciatingly painful thrombosed hemorrhoid. Thrombosis of an external hemorrhoid causes an anal lump that is very painful and often requires medical attention.

Internal hemorrhoids build up inside the passageway of the anus. Internal hemorrhoids are often present without causing any discomfort or even awareness of their presence.

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