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