Hemorrhoids is a fairly common health condition, which happens when the veins around the anus or rectum are swollen, colored, and painful or sometimes bleeding. The reasons attributed to this condition can be chronic constipation, chronic diarrhea, pregnancy, aging, or long periods of sitting on the toilet, anal intercourse, obesity, and genetics. The Live Science ezine reports Google search patterns in the US show that interest in the term “hemorrhoids” more than doubled in that country between 2008 and 2013, which indicates it is a pretty common health condition.
In extreme cases, hemorrhoids can be unbearably painful and uncomfortable, but in most situations, it can be treated with some simple life practices. Hemorrhoids tend to get worse with time, so it is better to get it treated as soon as possible. Older people have a high probability of suffering from hemorrhoids. Also, hemorrhoids are more common among men than among women.
The common symptoms of hemorrhoids
As pain or bleeding in the anus or rectum region can happen due to many different reasons, so here are some common symptoms with which you can identify hemorrhoids: Tissue lumps protruding from the anal area, swelling in the anal area, painless bleeding, itching in the anal area, pain or discomfort in the anal region, swelling, or leaking feces. Internal hemorrhoids often lay hidden without any perceptible symptom till such a tissue lump starts bleeding during bowel movements or protrudes out. The protruding hemorrhoids are also known as prolapsed hemorrhoids.
Harvard Medical School suggests some remedies to alleviate the common symptoms:
When to consult a doctor
According to Medical News Today, if you experience any of the above symptoms, it may be better to consult a doctor. Rectal bleeding can be caused by other diseases, so just for your peace of mind, go to the doctor if you notice any bleeding during your bowel movement. The doctor usually conducts proper tests to determine whether rectal bleeding is caused by hemorrhoids or some other ailment. Here are some key facts to remember about hemorrhoids: