Q: What are hemorrhoids?

A: They are veins that are in clusters around the anus wall. When pain occurs in the anal area it may well be down to these veins becoming swollen. Hemorrhoids are also known as ‘Piles’ and can be described as looking like ‘grapes’ by the more humorous of sufferers.

What is causing my hemorrhoid flare-up?

It is a common problem that nearly every person will have to deal with at some point in their life, a hemorrhoid problem can be painful and a source of confusion for a sufferer.

There are groups of people that will suffer with a flare-up more than most, but what are the most common causes of hemorrhoid pain?

Causes:

• Diet can play a big part in the cause, spicy foods are notorious for causing swollen hemorrhoids.

• Causes can be caused by a genetic predisposition.

• Allergies to toilet paper that is scented.

• Over cleaning after bowel movements on the toilet.

• Rough textured toilet paper.

• Obesity has been linked to constant swelling of anal veins.

• Generally poor bowel control by the suffer such as, straining during constipation, hygiene and even the use of implements to clean the anal area such as loafers.

• Bouts of diarrhea or hard stools with undigested hard food such as peanuts.

• Pregnancy although not an illness, is a chief cause of swelling due to adverse weight on the bowels, and strain when using the toilet.

• There are also illnesses and infections that can cause pain, inflammation and itching around the anal walls leading to hemorrhoids.

Suffers may feel embarrassed to see their doctor regarding the condition, but usually a doctor will take a patients word for it. On occasion there may be cause for a doctor to further exam a patient’s rectum if bleeding is a concern.

A sufferer should not worry too much about the condition as it usually clears up within days or even hours. More sever forms of the condition may require suppositories or further treatment.