Internal Hemorrhoids
Internal hemorrhoids are by far the most common variety of hemorrhoid.
They descend upon almost any provocation.
While they are usually not painful, they can cause quite a bit of stress and anxiety because of their propensity to bleed and to prolapse out of the anal canal.
Hemorrhoids aren't fun no matter where they come from, but the strategies for treating internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids are often quite different.
Internal hemorrhoids originate from delicate, absorbent and relatively insensitive intestinal tissue, while external hemorrhoids originate from the skin on the outside of the body.
Internal hemorrhoids start with stress and strain on the large, elastic veins of the hemorrhoidal cushions lining the end of the anal canal.
These hemorrhoidal cushions serve as a warning system for the "urge to go" and to protect the delicate anus and rectum from the tearing, twisting and turning forces frequently experienced in that area.
The veins in question are meant to expand to many times their usual diameter in order to "inflate" the cushions.
Of course, they are also meant to "deflate" again, meaning that the walls of the vein are much like a rubber band.
However, a rubber band can be overextended, unable to retract again.
Vein walls can stretch too far, too, and will generally give way at a weak spot.
That weak area will fill up with blood and balloon outward, taking a bit of the internal tissue with it.
When this happens up inside the intestinal tissue, an internal hemorrhoid is the result.
There are a number of things that cause an excess of force on the hemorrhoidal cushions.
The most common reason is constipation, with diarrhea coming in a close second.
Both conditions tend to result in severe downward muscular force on the area.
Excessive sitting on the toilet also tends to cause them because the normal toilet sitting position removes any possibility of muscular support from the pelvic floor.
That means that all of your internal bits are only held up by their tendon attachments and the hemorrhoidal cushions are hanging free in midair.
Other causes include excessive force or frequency while wiping after toileting.
This can cause serious inflammation in the area, bringing more blood than can be supported by the vein walls.
Irritating chemicals or dyes in toilet paper or underwear can also be culprits, as can underwear or clothing that is too tight.
Sitting for long periods of time, such as at the computer, can also cause or worsen hemorrhoids.
Basically, hemorrhoids are usually a product of our lifestyle, with some people more prone to them than others.
Unfortunately, once you've got an internal hemorrhoid, you've generally got it for quite some time.
Most over the counter medications are meant for external hemorrhoids and will do you no good.
The best thing to do is try to reduce your symptoms while making the lifestyle changes that will both eliminate the current batch of hemorrhoids you're suffering from.
Once they're gone, you can get on with the rest of your hemorrhoid free life.
They descend upon almost any provocation.
While they are usually not painful, they can cause quite a bit of stress and anxiety because of their propensity to bleed and to prolapse out of the anal canal.
Hemorrhoids aren't fun no matter where they come from, but the strategies for treating internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids are often quite different.
Internal hemorrhoids originate from delicate, absorbent and relatively insensitive intestinal tissue, while external hemorrhoids originate from the skin on the outside of the body.
Internal hemorrhoids start with stress and strain on the large, elastic veins of the hemorrhoidal cushions lining the end of the anal canal.
These hemorrhoidal cushions serve as a warning system for the "urge to go" and to protect the delicate anus and rectum from the tearing, twisting and turning forces frequently experienced in that area.
The veins in question are meant to expand to many times their usual diameter in order to "inflate" the cushions.
Of course, they are also meant to "deflate" again, meaning that the walls of the vein are much like a rubber band.
However, a rubber band can be overextended, unable to retract again.
Vein walls can stretch too far, too, and will generally give way at a weak spot.
That weak area will fill up with blood and balloon outward, taking a bit of the internal tissue with it.
When this happens up inside the intestinal tissue, an internal hemorrhoid is the result.
There are a number of things that cause an excess of force on the hemorrhoidal cushions.
The most common reason is constipation, with diarrhea coming in a close second.
Both conditions tend to result in severe downward muscular force on the area.
Excessive sitting on the toilet also tends to cause them because the normal toilet sitting position removes any possibility of muscular support from the pelvic floor.
That means that all of your internal bits are only held up by their tendon attachments and the hemorrhoidal cushions are hanging free in midair.
Other causes include excessive force or frequency while wiping after toileting.
This can cause serious inflammation in the area, bringing more blood than can be supported by the vein walls.
Irritating chemicals or dyes in toilet paper or underwear can also be culprits, as can underwear or clothing that is too tight.
Sitting for long periods of time, such as at the computer, can also cause or worsen hemorrhoids.
Basically, hemorrhoids are usually a product of our lifestyle, with some people more prone to them than others.
Unfortunately, once you've got an internal hemorrhoid, you've generally got it for quite some time.
Most over the counter medications are meant for external hemorrhoids and will do you no good.
The best thing to do is try to reduce your symptoms while making the lifestyle changes that will both eliminate the current batch of hemorrhoids you're suffering from.
Once they're gone, you can get on with the rest of your hemorrhoid free life.