Causes and Types of Hemorrhoids

There are two main types of hemorrhoids that a person can experience. Anyone can develop hemorrhoids regardless of age or sex. However, most cases occur in the elderly as they have more problems with digestion than younger people. Very stressful events can also contribute to the problem. Stress can cause our body to not function normally. Sleep patterns, digestion and bowel movements can all get out of synch.

The first type is called internal hemorrhoids. This type occurs inside the rectum and oftentimes do not exhibit any symptoms.  You may experience some slight pain when going to the bathroom. The internal type is hard to treat and will go away over time, even if nothing is done for treatment. If you notice blood in your bowel movements, though, you may want to visit your medical provider to make sure nothing else more serious is occurring.

The second type is called external hemorrhoids. This type occurs externally around the anus opening. Most people are more familiar with type as well. Symptoms of this type can include slight pain when going to the bathroom, soreness around the anus, itchiness around the anus and swelling. Both types are caused by straining too hard when going to the bathroom. Sometimes external hemorrhoids can become irritated and break open and bleed causing even more discomfort.

If you find that your bowel movements are difficult to make, you should look at the foods that you eat. Increasing the amount of fiber in your diet can help prevent hemorrhoids as well as aid digestion and make going to the bathroom more regular and easy.

If you find yourself under a lot of stress there are many things you can do to help relieve it. Soaking in a hot bath and using Epson salts can help tense aching muscles. Finding a nice quiet area where there are no interruptions to sit with your eyes closed and breathe deeply for several minutes can alleviate stress. Taking a short, unplanned trip to get away for a weekend and relax can also help.

Once you learn what causes your hemorrhoids, you work on developing a plan of treatment and prevention.