Could you tell me what are hemorrhoids?

Swollen anal veins.: Hemorrhoids are swollen veins in the anal canal. This common problem can be painful, but it is usually not serious. Veins can swell inside the anal canal to form internal hemorrhoids. Or they can swell near the opening of the anus to form external hemorrhoids. You can have both types at the same time. The symptoms and treatment depend on which type you have.

Simple veins: Hemorrhoids are simply veins that are below the lining of the anus. Like all veins they carry the “used” blood from the area back to the heart to be cleaned and recycled. They are very close to the service and so when you strain at your bowel movement or for other reasons, they can bulge through their thin covering and cause pain and bleeding. Treatment is to avoid straining at the stool.

Dilated veins: Located in the rectum. They begin when constipation causes high pressures to build up. The normal veins in the area get blocked from the pressure and stretch. They may become inflamed from a clot or they may never bother you. Best care will be stool softeners and a good bowel habit. Better still is to perform this before they ever form.

Piles: A hemorrhoid is a enlarged vein at the anus or in the lower rectum. Internal hemorrhoids are deep to the anus. External hemorrhoids are outside of the anus. A hemorrhoid is a bump that can cause pain, bleeding and may be itchy.

Many options: Warm sitz baths, sitting in a warm tub for 20 minutes, two or three times a day may be helpful. Over-the-counter medications may be helpful such as stool softeners, otc creams or suppositories, rx creams or suppositories, injections to scar the hemorrhoid, banding to shrivel it up, or surgery. See your doctor.