Hemroids are small veins around the anus that swell with blood.  This blood cannot drain away properly or at all.  This causes the vein to become inflamed, making it swell up.  This is what a hemorrhoid is.  External hemroids are on the outside and cause the most pain when cleaning oneself around that area.  Internal hemroids are on the inside and are more liable to pop and cause pain/discomfort whilst passing stool.

Internal hemroids are in most cases pain free and often go untreated for a long time.  Sometimes they heal up.  On the occasions where they are treated, it is usually because they are causing discomfort or pain.  Blood on the toilet paper when there are no breaks in the skin outside the anus are internal hemorrhoids symptoms.  This is where the hemorrhoids are internal and bleed due to a hard stool.  In these cases the internal hemroids symptoms may also be blood in the stool.  These are the cases where internal hemorrhoids will cause discomfort and sometime cause distress as most people are aware that blood in the stool is a sign of colon cancer.

Excessive straining and sitting on the toilet for a long time (usually two things that constipation suffers go through) may even cause an internal hemorrhoid to become prolapsed. This may then protrude outside of the anus.

External hemroids are the more commonly treated hemroids, and often cause the most discomfort.  These tend to hurt, which can also lead to itchy sensations.  This may then turn to burning sensations if the hemorrhoids are allowed to become infected or chapped.  If external hemorrhoids burst, it may lead onto thrombus.  This is the Greek word for a blood clot, specifically the final result of blood thickening and coagulating in and around the wound.  This leads to a higher risk of infection (remember what area we are around) which may cause more pain and bloating.

Women will tend to experience their hemroids symptoms during pregnancy and shortly after child birth.  Men are also at risk if they have a poor diet, as a man’s fat tends to be stored around the belly, putting extra pressure on the veins and arteries around the abdomen.  The harder it is for blood to circulate, then the more chance there will be a pool of blood within the veins around the anus.

Though there are many treatments for hemorrhoids, the best cure is prevention.  With a balanced diet, plenty of fluids, exercise and fibre, there is little to no chance of you ever getting hemroids.  Do not sit on the toilet too long, or strain when you have diarrhoea or constipation.

If you notice hemroids symptoms, then consult your doctor.  This is especially true if you are finding blood in your stool.  A doctor can use a colonoscope to examine the area and check for enlarged veins and other problems.  This endoscopic examination will pick out any internal hemroids and your doctor will be able to treat them according to their severity.  External hemroids are easily seen, and you will often notice them before your doctor does.  It is important to keep them clean, and dry and to avoid chaffing them with uncomfortable sitting positions and particular forms of exercise.  If what you are doing hurts… then stop.  If you treat hemorrhoid symptoms regularly there should be no need for further treatment by your doctor.  If they remain neglected and untreated then they shall more likely become more inflamed, painful and liable to bleed.