Hemorrhoids, hemmoroids, or hemmorrhoids However you want to spell it, it is a nasty condition to be inflicted with. (The correct spelling is actually H-E-M-O-R-R-H-O-I-D-S, by the way.) Hemorrhoids (or more commonly known as piles) can be described as masses or clumps ("cushions") of tissue within the anal canal that contain blood vessels and the surrounding, supporting tissue made up of muscle and elastic fibers. Although most people think hemorrhoids are abnormal, they are present in everyone. It is only when the hemorrhoidal cushions enlarge that hemorrhoids start to cause problems.

Although hemorrhoids occur in everyone, they become large and cause problems in only 4% of the general population. Problematic hemorrhoids are found equally in men and women, and their prevalence peaks between 45 and 65 years of age. It is estimated that about 50% of all Americans over the age of 50 have hemorrhoids. Only a minority group of people choose to seek medical treatment (half a million per year!) and 10-20% eventually requires surgical intervention.


What Are Hemorrhoids?


Hemorrhoids typically involve blood vessels that line the anus. Pressure on the rectal walls weakens the muscles that support the hemorrhoidal vessels. They then become enlarged and lose their support and result in a sac-like protrusion inside the rectal canal (i.e. internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (i.e. external hemorrhoids).




A prolapsed hemorrhoids results when the internal hemorrhoid pushes out of the anal opening. Sometimes, blood can pool in an
external hemorrhoid, forming a clot (thrombus) and resulting in
a thrombosed external hemorrhoid.


Hemorrhoids can occur at any time, but become more common
with advancing age. Younger people, pregnant women and women who have had children are most apt to develop hemorrhoidal problems. The condition occurs more frequently in some families.



Causes And Risk Factors of Hemorrhoids

Some of the common causes and risk factors for hemorrhoids include:

- Constant sitting
- Straining bowel movements due to constipation or hard stools
- Diarrhea
- Sitting on the toilet for a long time
- Severe coughing
- Pregnancy and Childbirth
- Heavy lifting
- Aging
- Heredity
- Lack of erect posture
- Higher socioeconomic status
- Colon malignancy
- Hepatic disease
- Obesity
- Elevated anal resting pressure
- Spinal cord injury
- Loss of rectal muscle tone
- Rectal surgery
- Anal intercourse
- Faulty bowel function due to overuse of laxatives or enemas