middot; Pregnant women who are constipated frequently have hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids are dilated (varicose) veins of the rectum or anus. They may be painful, itchy, swollen, and sometimes may bleed. Straining during bowel movements and having hard stools may make hemorrhoids worse and can sometimes cause them to protrude at the anal opening. middot; Do not take over-the-counter medications while pregnant until you check with your health care provider.

Symptoms vary from people to people when they have hemorrhoids and a person will not experience all the known symptoms. Hemorrhoidal symptoms are the following: painful swelling around the anus, stool stained with bright red blood. fissures, irritation, fistulae, hard lump around the anus, abscesses and itching.

Excessive pressure in the rectum causes the formation of hemorrhoids. The pressure forces blood to stretch the walls of the veins, causing them to bulge. The pressure can even rupture the veins.

Generally, hemorrhoids are not dangerous. Usually the symptoms of hemorrhoids does not last for more than a week. Hemorrhoids are not life-threatening.

Hemorrhoids are very common and they affect both men and women. Almost all people will have hemorrhoids when they reach the age of 50. Aging plays an important role in hemorrhoids because with aging comes loosening of muscles in the anal and rectal area. This is a significant factor in the formation of hemorrhoids. Pregnant women are specially susceptible to hemorrhoids because of their condition.

A doctor is the most qualified to diagnose hemorrhoids. He will examine the anus and rectum and note the formation of enlarged blood vessels. He can also do a digital rectal exam. There are also tools to diagnose hemorrhoids such as the anoscope and protoscope. The lighted tube anoscope is particularly useful in inspecting suspected internal hemorrhoids. The protoscope, on the other hand, is used to examine the entire rectum.

To relieve the pain and difficulties caused by hemorrhoids is the first aim of medical treatment for hemorrhoids. To help reduce swelling, a person can sit in a warm tub or ice packs. He can also use hemorrhoidal cream. Surgery is an option that a person with hemorrhoid is sure to take.

Hemorrhoids cannot be prevented because nobody is sure when they occur. The best way not to have hemorrhoids is to have a diet with high-fiber content. This keeps the stools soft so they pass easily without straining too much.

Each of us have veins around the anus that tend to stretch under pressure. An increased pressure within the abdomen (due to repeated straining at stool, pressure of fetus during pregnancy, obesity etc.) may cause the blood to stagnate and collect in the rectal veins causing them to swell and bulge out of the anal opening. These swollen veins are called as piles or hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids can develop inside the anal canal (internal hemorrhoids) or near the anal opening (external hemorrhoids). Both types can occur at the same time. The symptoms, progression, and treatment differ depending on where the hemorrhoids are. Second degree: The hemorrhoid sticks out from the anus during a bowel movement but returns on its own to the anal canal afterward.

The diagnosis of hemorrhoids is based on a medical history and physical exam, which help a health professional identify the type of hemorrhoid—external or internal—and determine the appropriate treatment. If you have rectal bleeding, it can be a sign of something more serious than hemorrhoids, like colon, rectal, or anal cancer. But you may not need many tests at first, especially if you are under 50 and your doctor thinks that hemorrhoids are the cause of rectal bleeding.

Home treatment is recommended for most external hemorrhoids. Treatment includes gradually increasing fiber and water in your diet, using creams to help stop itching, and occasional use of stool softeners. Most internal hemorrhoids can be treated at home with the same measures used for external hemorrhoids.