Hemorrhoids - Do You Think You Know These Facts?

Hemorrhoids are most common amongst the people of 45 to 65 years of age. It is almost equally prevalent amongst males and females. Around 50 to 65 percent of the population develops hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. Although this big population has hemorrhoids, only about 4 to 5 percent of people face problems due to enlarged hemorrhoids.

Fecal incontinence is one of the symptoms, which is experienced by hemorrhoid patients. Hemorrhoids may also show other symptoms, including bright red rectal bleeding (blood typically covers the stool), anal itching, anal pain or discomfort (particularly while seated), painful bowel movements, mucus discharge, and hard or painful lumps near the anus.

Internal hemorrhoids are often painless because of the presence of only a few pain-sensing nerves at their location. They are located far inside the rectum; therefore, you can t see or feel them. Bleeding, when defecating, is usually the only sign of having hemorrhoids. External hemorrhoids are located around the anus. They tend to hurt and bleed as the area where they are present have a greater number of pain-sensing nerves. Once external hemorrhoid gets properly healed, it may leave a skin tag.

If someone in your family has a history of hemorrhoids, then you are more likely to get hemorrhoids. Other factors which may cause hemorrhoids include irregular bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), low-fiber diet, straining during bowel movements, pregnancy, aging, the absence of valves within the hemorrhoidal veins, obesity, prolonged sitting, and pelvic floor dysfunction.