If you think you may have hemorrhoids, but are not sure exactly what they are, then here is the low down on the matter. Hemorrhoids are a very common medical condition that affects millions of people. As a matter of fact, approximately 10 million people in the United States alone, suffer from hemorrhoids. They most often occur in individuals between the ages of 45 and 65, but can happen at any age.

The actual term hemorrhoid usually relates to the symptoms caused by hemorrhoids rather than the hemorrhoids themselves. Hemorrhoids occur when the veins located around and in the rectum and anus become irritated, inflamed and swollen. When these vascular veins swell and become inflamed they can cause symptoms which include: burning, itching, bright red blood spots on stool or toilet paper during bowel movement, and sometimes extreme pain.

Hemorrhoid symptoms can be caused by many contributing factors which include:
* Straining during bowel movement
* Diarrhea
* Constipation
* Pregnancy
* Being overweight
* Poor diet low in fiber and high in fat
* Heavy lifting
* Aging
* Prolonged sitting or standing
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There are two basic types of hemorrhoids – internal and external. Internal hemorrhoid symptoms are usually not as aggravating and uncomfortable as external hemorrhoids. Their symptoms usually cause blood in stool during bowel movements and can cause you to have a feeling of fullness after a bowel movement. However, every now and then an internal hemorrhoid may protrude and become irritated. This is known as a protruding hemorrhoid and can be quite painful.

External hemorrhoid symptoms, on the other hand, can be quite aggravating and very uncomfortable. Symptoms can include itching around the anus, burning, bleeding, and sometimes extreme pain. Those suffering from sever cases sometimes find it hard to get on with everyday tasks.

Hemorrhoids, although many people joke about them, are anything but funny. They can be annoying, painful and embarrassing. Fortunately there are many treatments available today that can help to alleviate the aggravating symptoms of hemorrhoids. Many of these treatments are over the counter medications in the form of ointments, salves, creams and suppositories. All natural products that can be taken orally or that also come in ointment form have been quite effective in relieving hemorrhoid symptoms.

The bottom line is, if you suffer from hemorrhoids, there is no need to try to endure the pain. There are treatments that have proven to be beneficial in providing relief and at times even in alleviating hemorrhoid symptoms completely. So, don’t suffer unnecessarily, find a treatment that will work for you.