What are hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are most commonly known as piles.  Hemorrhoids are itching, painful, or bleeding masses or clumps ("cushions") of swollen tissues and varicose within the anal canal that contain blood vessels and the surrounding, supporting tissue made up of muscle and elastic fibers. Although they can be extremely unpleasant and painful for most people who have them, fortunately they can be easily treated and in most cases they can be prevented.

Since the condition of hemorrhoids almost always tends to get worse as time goes by, health care professionals say they should be treated as soon as they appear and safe, gentle, and effective treatment for hemorrhoids can be given as soon as they occur.

Although most people think hemorrhoids are abnormal, they are present in everyone. It is only when the hemorrhoidal cushions enlarge that hemorrhoids can cause problems and be considered abnormal or a disease.

Many people suffer from hemorrhoids to some degree.  The older you are the more likely you are to suffer from hemorrhoids also however this does not mean that young people and children cannot get them. Hemorrhoids are much more common among men than women although a woman is most likely to get them when she is pregnant and they can stay with her afterwards.

Hemorrhoids can occur both inside and above the inside of the anus. They can also appear externally, under the skin of the anus.

Internal hemorrhoids occur when there is too much pressure on the internal hemorrhoidal veins. Frequently, the only sign that internal hemorrhoids exist is bright-red blood that appears on the surface of the stool, in the toilet bowl, or on the toilet paper. But, if the pressure and swelling continue, the hemorrhoidal veins may stretch out of shape, sometimes so much that they bulge through the anus to the outside of the body.  Pain is not usually common with internal hemorrhoids, unless a blood clot forms or an infection occurs.

The external hemorrhoidal veins around the anus can also become swollen, causing external hemorrhoids. These swollen veins bleed easily, either from straining or rubbing and irritation from draining mucus may cause itching in the anal area. If blood clots form in these hemorrhoids, the pain can be severe.

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