External Hemroids 

If you suffer from painful or bleeding hemroids, you are not alone. Most adults in this country eventually develop hemroids - half of us have them by age 50. It is now estimated that over 25 million Americans are affected. All races, both sexes, and all ages are susceptible. Pregnancy, childbirth, and constipation are common hemroids triggers. Hemroids are probably impossible to prevent given pressure that our upright posture creates on the blood vessels and delicate tissues of our lower regions. We are all at risk.

Hemroids do not discriminate, afflicting the mighty as well as the humble. They have tormented people for centuries and have even altered history as Napoleon Bonaparte had hemroids which, it is said, played an important role in his defeat at Waterloo.

What Are Hemroids?
First of all, hemroids are not cancer and never turn to cancer. Rather, they are simply varicose veins that just happen to be located at the wrong place at the wrong time. Hemroids only occur in the last inch of the rectum called the anal canal. They are never found further within the colon. All of us normally have many small veins in this area to allow circulation of blood. Straining to eliminate - especially when constipated - causes these veins to temporarily swell. Repeated straining causes them to remain swollen. Then they are termed hemroids.

Outside vs Inside
Hemroids come in two types, classified by location. Those located around the outside of the anal opening are called external hemroids. Internal hemroids are located just about 1/2 inch inside the anal opening. This distinction is important since external hemroids are covered by normal skin which has many pain receptors, whereas internal hemroids lack any nerve fibers and are usually painless.