Hemorrhoids occur commonly in both women and men.
Unlike the common fallacy that hemorrhoids happen when you are old and gray, hemorrhoids can actually occur at any age.
As a matter of fact, by the age of 50 over half of the people living in the United States will have had hemorrhoids.
Although many people may get hemorrhoids, some may never even know that they have them because they do not experience the symptoms that they can produce.
There are main categories of hemorrhoids - internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids.
The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood on the stool, toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.
Rarely is pain associated with internal hemorrhoids.
However, occasionally and internal hemorrhoid will protrude through the anus to the outside of the body and become irritated and painful.
These types of hemorrhoids are known as protruding hemorrhoids.
The symptoms of external hemorrhoids can be quite painful and aggravating.
Symptoms of external hemorrhoids may include mild to extreme pain, bleeding, itching and irritation around the anal area.
Sometimes painful swelling can produce a hard lump around the anus that results when a blood clot forms.
This condition is known as a thrombosed external hemorrhoid and is quite painful.
There are various treatments available over the counter today for helping with the pain and aggravations associated with the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
Over the counter creams and ointments can be used on external hemorrhoids.
Some of the ointments and creams actually have pain medication to help with the pain.
Some also contain aloe which helps to sooth irritated skin.
There are also all natural medicines that come in both oral tablets and ointments.
These products have bee quite effective in relieving the symptoms of hemorrhoids.
For those suffering with hemorrhoids, there is medications you can try.
Don't wait until the symptoms get worse before you begin treatment.
As Ben Franklin once said, "An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.
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