Hemorrhoids Diagnosis - Internal and External Hemorrhoids

When the veins around the lower rectum and the anus become swollen the condition is referred to as hemorrhoids. But hemorrhoids can be further classified into internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. According to estimates, as many as 10 million people in the US alone suffer from internal and external hemorrhoids and this is a huge figure, making it a cause for serious concern. In fact, both internal and external hemorrhoids are among the most common ailments to affect humans today. Particularly the seniors.
When the veins inside the anus and the rectum become swollen the condition is referred to as internal hemorrhoids. Because of the fact they lie within, internal hemorrhoids are much more difficult to detect because they cannot be felt or seen from the surface. Adding to this problem is the fact that internal hemorrhoids almost always do not cause any pain. And even in cases where some pain is present, it is so negligible that the pain could easily be passed on as something else. And that is why most people when they have internal hemorrhoids, they do not even know about its presence. Possibly the only way to detect the problem is through the bleeding that these hemorrhoids induce.
Why do internal hemorrhoids occur? While there is no consensus on this, but it is generally believed that someone having constipation for a few years is more prone to getting internal hemorrhoids than others. Ladies who are expecting are also likely to develop internal hemorrhoids, but this is a common condition that will go away after childbirth and no medication might be needed to solve the issue.
As opposed to the internal type, external hemorrhoids are very much visible and that is because they are located near the anus area. The most common way to diagnose external hemorrhoids is by noticing the lumps that develop when someone is affected. But be careful because these lumps bleed when they are picked. Since they are visible to the naked eye, external hemorrhoids are much more easily detected and in most cases, the treatment starts earlier as well.
External hemorrhoids come with itching, bleeding and severe pain. The bleeding normally happens just after the stool is passed – a good way to detect external hemorrhoids is by finding out whether there is blood in the toilet paper or the toilet seat.
The common causes of external hemorrhoids are constipation, sitting at one position for long hours (which many of us do now in front of the computer), diarrhea and pregnancy. In short, when the pressure on the rectum area is intensified the body can get back in the form of external hemorrhoids. Because of the increased pressure, the blood hits the vein walls and sometimes they get ripped apart as well.
Using natural and herbal products is a good advice to treat both internal as well as external hemorrhoids. Eating the right kind of food that reduces pressure can also reduce the problem.
Jen Carter is team member and writes regularily about hemorrhoids, anal fissures and other common conditions for Amoils.com.
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