Anyone who has had or has heard about hemorrhoids feels uncomfortable when talking
about them. People know that hemorrhoids are somehow related to rear ends, but other
than that, nobody wants to know the details. And for a good reason: hemorrhoids are an
uncomfortable and unsightly condition that occurs in the rectum and around the anus.
There are many medications and techniques that claim to provide hemorrhoid relief
and treatment, and yet 10 million Americans suffer from hemorrhoids at any one time.
Hemorrhoids, hemroids , or piles are swollen veins in and around the rectum or anus.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hemroids

People experiencing hemorrhoids are often afraid to admit that they are suffering
from such an uncomfortable and intimate condition. However, patients should not be
shy about talking with their doctor about the condition because ensuring that you get
hemorrhoid treatment is very important. There are a lot of medications that can provide
relief from the pain of hemorrhoids, but do not cure the basic problem. You can’t rely
only on over the counter medications to make the problem go away.

Suffering from hemorrhoids can be incredibly uncomfortable. Everything you do, from
walking to sitting to using the bathroom, becomes an arduous task of avoiding pain and
discomfort. Some people experience powerful itchiness, and of course to scratch would
be embarrassing as well as dangerous.

While hemorrhoids do not present a serious health risk on their own, the risk of
infection to external hemorrhoids is not to be discounted lightly. “Good hygiene is …
very important since fecal matter or mucus drainage irritates the skin and hemorrhoid
area. Too much wiping can worsen discomfort.” (1) The American Gastroenterological
Association even offers the advice of taking a shower instead of wiping if the pain from

hemorrhoids is too intense. Needless to say, if you have a job or other obligations,
going to take a shower after using the bathroom could be pretty challenging.

Getting a proper diagnosis may also be very important. While some blood on toilet
paper after wiping, or blood on the outside of stool, is a normal symptom of internal
and external hemorrhoids, it can also be a sign of much more serious diseases. Colon,
rectal, and anal cancer can all present the symptom of blood in stool or on toilet
paper after wiping. If you see blood in your stool, be sure to contact your doctor for an
appointment, just to be sure that you are not showing signs of a more serious disease
or condition.

You may also find being diagnosed reduces the fear factor. Sometimes simply knowing
what the problem is can help you to determine the best course of action and speed
healing and recovery.

There are a number of natural and simple ways that you can help yourself to avoid
hemorrhoids and to prevent a recurrance. While treatment can be topical, a cream or
ointment applied directly to the hemorrhoids, a lasting cure can be equally dependent
on diet, exercise, and good overall health. You may find a lot of advice online from
other hemorrhoid sufferers who have found relief from the pain of hemorrhoids through
dietary adjustments or even physical activity.

The truth is that many people who suffer from hemorrhoids, although certainly not all
patients, are overweight or have problems getting adequate exercise and a healthy
diet. The main reason that people get hemorrhoids is due to straining during bowel
movements. And straining is what you do when you are constipated or have diarrhea.
Patients may find that dealing with the causes of diarrhea or constipation can ensure
that they never experience the discomfort of hemorrhoids again.

The long term treatment and cure for hemorrhoids can be as simple as eating better
and taking walks every evening. However most hemorrhoids sufferers want to know
what they can do right now to ease their pain and discomfort. There are quite a variety
of natural options, OTC and prescription medications that can provide relief from
hemorrhoids. Most hemorrhoid medications have a soothing base and often contain
anti-inflammatories such as witch hazel, which can shrink the inflamed vein and provide
relief.

Medications can be a mixed blessing, for hemorrhoid relief as well as for many other
conditions and diseases. Suffering from the pain of a physical ailment prompt you to
take better care of yourself. Patients who take pain killers for chronic conditions learn

to ignore pain, and as a result they can incur more damage. Pain is a message from
the body that what you are doing is not good. Listening to the messages that your body
sends you is very important and those messages can provide clues for treating your
body well.

Then again, the indignity of the pain of hemorrhoids should not be suffered for too long.
Finding a lasting solution is probably a top priority for most patients, and as long as
sufficient steps are taken to ensure that hemorrhoids do not recur, pain medication and
topical ointment use are perfectly appropriate.

Many questions may remain for those seeking pain relief from hemorrhoids, or for the
loved ones of patients who have been diagnosed and are seeking treatment. Below
are a simple list of commonly asked questions with the simplest answers that science,
doctors, and laypeople can all agree with and understand. The first step to a cure is
understanding: take the time to learn about your condition and then take the steps to
make yourself better so you can go on with your life.