What Are Hemorrhoids and How Are They Caused?

What are hemorrhoids exactly? Hemorrhoids are swollen veins that form in the lower part of the anal canal, and often protrude outside the anus.
They are painful, often itchy and can bleed, and are an embarrassing problem that nobody likes to talk about! They are literally a pain in the butt! Many people suffer from hemorrhoids, so if you think you have them there are ten million other Americans like you.
Hemorrhoids are generally not too serious and can be treated in a number of ways.
You may also like to know how you can avoid getting them in the first place.
If you have itching and minor pain around the anus and your anus feels swollen, you probably have hemorrhoids.
They may also bleed and there may be strands of blood in your stool and on the toilet paper after you wipe.
Don't be too alarmed, but just to let you know if after you have tried a home remedy for hemorrhoids and topical, over the counter hemorrhoids creams, it may be a good idea to see your doctor, as there is a slim chance you may have colorectal cancer, so don't leave it too long if you are worried.
What can Cause of Hemorrhoids? Too much pressure on the veins in the pelvis and the lower anal canal causes hemorrhoids.
This can be caused by:

• Pregnancy
• Certain types of work
• Being overweight
• Diarrhea or constipation

The tissue inside the lower anal canal and anus fill with blood to help expel waste and if you strain this causes increased pressure and the tiny valves inside blood vessels can rupture causing the blood to accumulate inside those ruptured blood vessels and swell, and in some cases burst.
Common Symptoms of Hemorrhoids:

• Blood in the stool
• Itchiness and irritation in the anal area
• Inflammation in the anal area that causes pain

Internal Hemorrhoids If you have seen a mucous-like covering on your stool and bright red streaks of blood, chances are you have internal hemorrhoids.
Streaks of bright red blood on toilet paper are a sure sign too.
Internal hemorrhoids are often swollen veins in the lower bowel or anal canal and when they become bothersome, the bulging veins protrude from the anus all the time.
The anal muscles squeeze them and that's when they get painful and become external hemorrhoids.
External Hemorrhoids These external hemorrhoids can bleed, and the accumulation of blood inside the veins can pool causing hard painful lumps.
These are called thrombosed hemorrhoids.
If you are like many people who want to treat their hemorrhoids themselves, or need further information about what are hemorrhoids, please read on for more useful information.