by Patrick Sills

Created on: February 25, 2009

The itching can become intense. I'll awkwardly position myself on the arm of a couch or chair and scratch myself deeply to get relief. Rest assured I make sure that nobody is around to see me, for I'm certain that the looks I'd get would raise a few eyebrows. At other times, it can feel like a flame-thrower set on full blast is aimed squarely at the entrance to the rectal cavity. Blood can appear after cleaning myself with toilet paper. A simple task like walking across a room can become a grueling endeavor. In some instances, I'll deliberately induce a bowel movement; even if there is no urgency, to find relief. What am I talking about? The joy of hemorrhoids. I'm being facetious here, because quite literally, they are a pain in the....well; you can figure it out.

Also known in some circles as piles, hemorrhoids are an inflammation and/or swelling of the blood vessels in and around the rectum and anus. They can either be external (outside of the anal canal) or internal (inside the rectum). In most cases, this condition is not serious and symptoms will disappear in a few days. There are many factors that can cause hemorrhoids. An occupation that involves long hours of sitting down can put pressure on these points. As writers, that's good to know, eh? Diet plays a role as well. Eating foods that harden your stool can lead to constipation, which in turn can cause straining of the sphincter muscles. Conversely, a diet containing lots of spicy foods, caffeine, and too little water can produce the opposite effect; diarrhea or irritable bowels. This can also irritate those veins down there. Using a cheap brand of bathroom tissue that has the consistency of sandpaper won't help, either. Even with nice, soft tissue, excessive wiping will lead to raw and chafed skin in this area. Remember the "flame-thrower' I spoke of earlier? Pregnancy also commonly causes hemorrhoids due to the fetus placing abnormal pressure on the abdomen. Although heredity is not said to be a factor, I personally have to question this. My grandfather, father, and uncle suffered from this condition, and I have off and on since I was in my teens. However, it is quite possible that all of my family members shared the same eating and bowel habits, so that's a tough call. At any rate, it's a bit comforting to know that should you suffer from this condition, you are not alone. About 50% of the population will experience hemorrhoids at one time or another by middle age.

Once hemorrhoids have been confirmed

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