Hemorrhoids are a pain in the butt...literally. They develop from straining to produce stool, pregnancy, aging, chronic constipation or diarrhea, and anal intercourse. Hemorrhoids are not usually life threatening or dangerous to your overall health, and it is extremely rare that bleeding from hemorrhoids becomes so bad that severe anemia or death occurs. A hemorrhoid is a condition in which the veins around the anus or lower rectum become inflamed or swollen. Anorectal problems such as fissures, fistulae, abscesses, or irritation and itching have similar symptoms as hemorrhoids and are often incorrectly referred to as hemorrhoids. It is important to schedule an examination with your doctor if you think you have hemorrhoids, because symptoms like bleeding, that are associated with inner hemorrhoids, can be the cause of more serious digestive diseases.

Many people experience discomforting symptoms with their hemorrhoids, but not all do. When hemorrhoids are protruding, symptoms are very noticeable and include painful swelling or hard lumps where the blood clots form around the anus. Symptoms are seldom noticeable when the hemorrhoids are located within the rectum. It is quite often that symptoms lessen within a few days, but more commonly the symptoms will return at some point down the road – often worse than before. The most common symptom of an internal hemorrhoids includes bright red blood on the stool, on the toilet tissue, or in the toilet bowl. As stated before, if you see blood, it is always best to see your doctor first. If you do have hemorrhoids, don't fear...there are many helpful and non-invasive ways to sooth and shrink hemorrhoids.

Most hemorrhoids treatments to help get rid of your hemorrhoids are aimed at relieving the symptoms. Only surgical methods are a permanent solution to your hemorrhoid problems, but by adopting new and healthier lifestyle changes, you can often avoid the recurrence of hemorrhoids. Although recurrences are not completely avoidable without surgery, a 10 minute soak in a warm bath three times a day can ease pain, or the application of a suppository or hemorrhoidal cream can help as well; however, these will not shrink hemorrhoids entirely. By looking at your diet and lifestyle, there is much to discover. Are you getting enough fiber from whole grains, fruits, and vegetables?

Are you drinking 6-8 glasses of water per day? Do you exercise? These all can help produce soft and easy passing stool and help shrink hemorrhoids. Doctors may also suggest over-the-counter stool softeners or fiber supplements that contain either psyllium or methylcellulose to help soften stool and thus lessen the strain. If you continue to strain while going to the bathroom, your hemorrhoids will continually be stressed and will not shrink. The best way to shrink your hemorrhoids is to make the elimination process function as smoothly as possible.