All About Hemorrhoids - By: Barisa Wyse

Most of us would have no problem announcing that our toe is sore and infected but would find it very awkward and embarrassing to announce our butt is sore with hemorrhoids. Society's perception of hemorrhoids as being a "forbidden topic" has led to the creation of lots of misinformation or myths about how to get rid of hemorrhoids along with volumes of information about how to treat hemorrhoids, some good and some bad.

So exactly what are we dealing with here? Hemorrhoids, or commonly called "piles", are by definition simply collections or nodules of blood vessel and tissue located in the anal and colorectal areas of the body. It may surprise you to learn that hemorrhoids are always present within your body system under normal conditions. It is only after they become swollen, inflamed or irritated to the point where they cause pain, itching and general discomfort that hemorrhoids are considered a health problem.

It is important to note that there are actually two types of hemorrhoids that people may have to deal with. The first kind are known as internal hemorrhoids since they remain inside the anus or colorectal tube of the body. Individuals having this type of hemorrhoid are often totally unaware of this condition since they don't feel any pain. The reason for this is due to the lack of pain receptors located in this part of the lower rectum to transmit signal to the brain via nerve endings that something is not right "in the land down under".

Constipation or the inability to pass out solid waste easily through the rectum tube is most often the cause for internal hemorrhoids. The strain brought on by having to push hard during a bowel movement to force the wastes down the rectal tube may cause the veins with this part of the body to become ruptured which results in the bleeding seen during bowel movements.

Common symptoms of internal hemorrhoids may include things such as:
-bleeding following a bowel movement (blood is generally a bright red in color)
-severe itching within the rectum and around the anal regions
-minor protrusions of the hemorrhoids beyond the anus opening
-feelings of having an incomplete bowel movement even when successfully passing waste from the body.

The second type of hemorrhoids and the most painful called external hemorrhoids since they appear outside of the anal or colorectal canal. In severe case the veins within these external hemorrhoids may burst leading to an extremely painful condition known as "thrombosis" or "thrombosis hemorrhoids" which may result in severe irritation and swelling.

Unlike the absence of pain associated with internal hemorrhoids due to a lack of nerves with the rectal canal, the region around the anal area is full of sensitive nerve tissue which is very quick to respond to any problems in this part of the "land down under" set off by the pain receptors. Pain messages are immediately transmitted to the brain.

Although external hemorrhoids don't generally prevent normal bowel movement as do internal hemorrhoids, they are certainly much more painful to deal with. Most often the first clue to having external hemorrhoids, besides the pain, is feeling lump on the outer region of the anus when you wipe.

Only as a last resort, in very severe cases that do not heal within several weeks, do most people need surgery as a way to get rid of their hemorrhoids. Most of the time hemorrhoids will heal over time and the pain and discomfort can be eased through the use of special creams and home remedies for hemorrhoids.

About the Author

Are you suffering from hemorrhoids? Are you looking for information on home remedies for hemorrhoids? Besides being a really "pain in the butt" (no pun intended) having hemorrhoids is not something that most of us really want to have a discussion about. We all want to know how to get rid of hemorrhoids, but often have no idea where to look for information.

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