The following are some of the signs or symptoms of hemorrhoids:

1. Bleeding is the number one sign that you have hemorrhoids condition. Bleeding usually occurs during bowel movement where one notices blood in the stool. In some cases, bleeding can also happen after intense pressure is exerted in the anus. Although there are cases where the anus bleeds for some other disease or condition, in almost all cases, it is usually due to hemorrhoids. When bleeding occurs, it is advisable that you consult a doctor immediately to remedy the condition while it is still in its early stage.

One driving factor why one should see a doctor right away is the discomfort and embarrassment brought by bleeding. Bleeding from the behind can stain your clothes which will probably result to humiliation especially if it happens that you are in a public place.

2. Another sign of hemorrhoids is the unusual change in how your stool looks like. A sudden change in the size, shape and color of the stools might indicate of hemorrhoids. A blockage or a narrow passage (due to congestion) can be a reason for thin-sized stools (not-so ordinarily thin). Atypically dark-colored stools also indicate certain blockages in the passage.

3. Pain in the rectal area is also one sign of hemorrhoids that should not be ignored. If you experience and discomfort or pain in the rectum which is not caused by any other ailments or known injury, it is possible that you may be suffering from external hemorrhoids. Compared to internal hemorrhoids, external hemorrhoids are bound to cause more discomfort as it is more exposed to outside irritants.

4. Any unusual types of discharges from the anus also indicates presence of hemorrhoids. Discharges might be brought by irritation or swelling inside the anus. This is usually symptoms of internal hemorrhoids.

5. Bumps, sores, lumps and swelling around the anus and rectum are may also be signs of hemorrhoids. These lumps, sores, bumps, swelling and sac-like protrusions in the anus is due to swelling of the blood vessels in the internal anal canal because of too much pressure exerted by the anus. The sizes of these lumps may vary from the size of a dollar to a much larger one. There are basically four degrees of hemorrhoids and each has its corresponding signs and symptoms as well as treatments:

- First Grade Hemorrhoids: This stage may occur in the internal or external anus. Oftentimes, a first grade hemorrhoids is characterized by bleeding.

- Second Grade Hemorrhoids: These are hemorrhoids that just draw back in through its own towards the anal canal. Bleeding is sometimes not present in Second Grade Hemorrhoids.

- Third Grade Hemorrhoids: Hemorrhoids protrude from the anus’ opening but can be easily pushed back in.

- Fourth Grade Hemorrhoids: These are hemorrhoids that protrude from the anal canal but cannot be pushed back in manually.

There are many unpleasant symptoms and diseases associated with constipation. Hemorrhoids is one such symptom and many doctor or practitioners say, “it's not a serious condition.” As a natural nutritional consultant, I say, “Hemorrhoids is a condition you need to treat or better yet eliminate.”

You need to listen to all symptoms you have to decide if you need to take some action to correct the cause. Some times just acknowledging a simple symptom is enough for symptom and the cause to disappear. Hemorrhoids, whether simple or severe, are telling you there is something wrong somewhere and “I hope you take care of it before it get worse.”

Taking care of hemorrhoids or the hemorrhoid symptoms is the first thing you should take care of. Then, you want to concentrate your effort on the cause of these hemorrhoids. In this way you can help to eliminate your hemorrhoids and prevent them from coming back.

The first signs of hemorrhoids are when you need to take action. Don't wait until your hemorrhoids get large, give you pain, start bleeding, or protrude.

The first question you should ask about hemorrhoids is what caused them.

What causes hemorrhoids?

It is always the cause of an illness that you try to eliminate. Doctors don't always have the time to determine what the cause is so they will treat the symptom to get rid of it. The result is that your illness will come back or the symptom will come back or appear as a different symptom.

Hemorrhoids are cause by excess pressure in the rectal veins and the veins in the surrounding area.

There are many causes of hemorrhoids of which constipation is a major cause. By first using some natural hemorrhoid remedies that I will discuss in future articles, you can eliminate or diminish your hemorrhoids. Then by using some natural remedies for constipation, you can prevent hemorrhoids from coming back.

Using natural remedies for treating your hemorrhoids is the best way to deal with this condition. In their book, Natural Prescriptions, 1994, Robert M. Giller, M.D. and Kathy Matthews, gives you their opinion of drugstore medications:

“If you are suffering from hemorrhoids right now, you want immediate relief. What about all those over-the-counter remedies? Just last year the FDA clamped down on the manufacturers of these products, and some of them are being removed from the market because they've never been proven to be effective. Other must limit their claims. Those that claim to shrink tissues must carry a warning because people with diabetes or heart disease, for example, shouldn't use them. In the final analysis, while you may get some temporary relief from these products, you could do as well by applying zinc oxide, petroleum jelly, or witch hazel, which are just as effective and far cheaper.”

Copyright © 2005 Rudy Silva

About Rudy: Rudy Silva has a Physics degree from the University of San Jose California and is a Natural Nutritionist. He writes a newsletter called “Natural-Remedies-ThatWork.com” and he has written an ebook called “How to Relieve Your Constipation with 77 Natural Remedies.” You can get more information on this ebook and more hemorrhoid remedies at this site: http://www.hemorrhoid-remedies.for–you.info

Millions around the world are known to suffer from the symptoms of hemorrhoids. If you are someone who is suffering from the same, then there is some good news awaiting you. A good hemorrhoid cream can help you get relief from most of the symptoms hemorrhoids. You can find many such creams being sold widely in the market these days.

Hemorrhoids are known to be caused due to various reasons. It is known to pass on from one generation to another and is therefore hereditary in most of the cases. A sedentary lifestyle, which involves sitting for extended periods of time, is also known to cause hemorrhoids or piles, as it is often called as. Fortunately you can now get yourself cured with the help of a good hemorrhoid cream.

You can find numerous such creams available in the market these days. Most of them can be classified as over-the-counter ointments and creams. These creams are known to give immediate relief from itching and burning. The major ingredient in most of the creams would be a numbing agent, which helps in soothing the pain associated with piles. You can also find many creams being sold in the market with a claim that they can also shrink hemorrhoidal tissue.

Based on the ingredients in a hemorrhoid cream they can be classified under several types. While some of them may be anesthetic, some may be analgesic. Then you have the homeopathic variety to certain other creams that contain hydrocortisone. You can also find a variety of creams with natural ingredients too that are being sold in the market these days.

Whatever may be the hemorrhoid cream that you may want to buy, it is always preferable that you consult your doctor first. They are the best placed to advise you on the various products that are available and which ones would be particularly suited to your condition.
Making certain lifestyle and dietary changes along with using a hemorrhoid cream is known to give excellent results when it comes to getting rid of piles. Doctors for instance, always insist on a fiber rich diet, containing plenty of servings of fruits and diets for those suffering from the condition. Similarly there is also an entire list of food items that you will need to avoid too. Drinking lots of water is also recommended for those suffering from piles. A combination of moderate exercise, certain simple lifestyle and dietary changes along with medication is known to provide lasting relief from hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids or piles are ugly faces of an ailment. The condition of varicosity or swelling and inflammation of veins in the rectum and anus is known as hemorrhoids. It is also known as ‘haemorrhoids’ or piles.

The two most common types of hemorrhoids are external hemorrhoids and internal hemorrhoids.

External hemorrhoids: External hemorrhoids occur outside at the lateral end of the anal canal, on the anal verge. They are sometimes painful, and can be accompanied by swelling and irritation. Itching, due to skin irritation, is considered a common symptom of external hemorrhoids. The hemorrhoid becomes a thrombosed hemorrhoid if the vein ruptures and a blood clot develops.

Internal hemorrhoids: Internal hemorrhoids occur inside the rectum. They are usually not painful, and most people aren’t aware that they have them. Internal hemorrhoids may bleed when irritated. If not treated, internal hemorrhoids may lead to the more severe forms of hemorrhoids – prolapsed hemorrhoids and strangulated hemorrhoids.

• Prolapsed hemorrhoids: Internal hemorrhoids become so expanded or swollen that they get pushed outside of the anus.

• Strangulated hemorrhoid: The anal sphincter muscle spasms and traps a prolapsed hemorrhoid outside of the anal opening. The supply of blood is cut off, and the hemorrhoid then becomes a strangulated hemorrhoid.

Causes of Hemorrhoids or Piles:

The major cause of hemorrhoids results from weak rectal vein walls and/or valves. The following are some other hemorrhoids causes:

• Constipation

• Chronic diarrhea

• Straining during bowel movements

• Postponing bowel movements

• Poor bathroom habits; sitting for unusually long periods of time, e.g. reading on the toilet or excessive cleaning attempts.

• Pregnancy

• Fiber-deprived diet can also contribute.

• Insufficient hydration: drinking less water or drinking too much of diuretic liquids such as coffee or colas can cause a hard stool that can lead to hemorrhoid irritation.

• Tumors in the pelvis also cause enlargement of hemorrhoids by pressing on veins draining upwards from the anal canal.

• An excess of lactic acid in the stool: a product of excessive consumption of milk products such as cheese can cause irritation and a reduction of consumption can bring relief.

• Too much pressure on the rectal veins due to poor posture or muscle tone; obesity and a sedentary lifestyle may cause hemorrhoids.

Prevalence:

Hemorrhoids commonly occur in both sexes, but only 4% of the general population experience the problem. Hemorrhoids are a common occurrence between 45 and 65 years of age.

Approximately one half of all Americans are estimated to have this condition by the age of 50, but only a small number undertake medical treatment. About 500,000 people are medically treated for hemorrhoids annually, with 10 to 20% of them requiring surgeries.

Enlarged veins that occur in the anal canal are known as hemorrhoids. While hemorrhoids are uncomfortable they are rarely a serious health problem until they become severe hemorrhoids. To help control bowel movements the tissue surrounding the anus known as the anal cushions will fill with blood. When the veins in these cushions swell and stretch they will lead to hemorrhoids. At some point in their life everyone will have hemorrhoids. Any age can experience hemorrhoids although those after the age of thirty have an increased risk.

Hemorrhoids are caused by excessive pressure on the pelvic and rectal veins. Blood pools in the veins as the pressure increases which causes swelling and stretching in the surrounding tissues which leads to hemorrhoids. Rushing to complete a bowel movement, persistent diarrhea or constipation can also lead too hemorrhoids if there is too much straining.

Developing hemorrhoids can also be linked to being overweight. During the last six months of pregnancy women may frequently develop hemorrhoids because of the increased pressure on the pelvic blood vessels. Hemorrhoids can also be caused by the strain of pushing the baby out during birth.

Types of Hemorrhoids

There are two main types of hemorrhoids, internal and external. Both of these can occur at the same time. Depending on where the hemorrhoids develop the symptoms, progression and treatment will vary. There are four degrees of severe hemorrhoids when it comes to the internal type. Any of these severe hemorrhoids may experience bleeding. First degree severe hemorrhoids do not protrude from the anus and remain largely internal.

During a bowl movement, second degree severe hemorrhoids will protrude from the anus and then return to the anal canal after. Third degree severe hemorrhoids must be pushed back into the anus with your finger after a bowel movement. Then the fourth degree severe hemorrhoids are always outside of the anus and cannot be pushed back inside the canal.

Symptoms of Severe Hemorrhoids

With external severe hemorrhoids there are symptoms such as itching, burning and irritation. After straining to have a bowel movement you may find streaks of bright red blood on the toilet paper and the anal area may be difficult to clean.

For internal severe hemorrhoids the most common symptom is bleeding. There may be blood in the toilet bowl after a bowel movement and some blood may be on the surface of the stool. Severe internal hemorrhoids may have pain if they are protruding all the time. Severe hemorrhoids that protrude may have mucus on the stool or toilet tissue after a bowel movement.