Microscopic Hemroids Image 

Approximately half of all Americans experience hemroids by the time they are 50 years old. A special variety of varicose vein, a hemroids is an abnormally distended vein located either in the rectum or in the outer area surrounding the Excretory Orifice opening. When hemroids occur internally, they often go unnoticed for long periods of time, although they may produce some bleeding. External hemroids, however, are commonly associated with pain and itching as well as bleeding. Thus, most of the approximately 500,000 Americans who seek medical treatment for hemroids each year are afflicted with the external type of the swollen veins. Only about one out of ten of these individuals have cases that require surgery. Much more frequently hemroids are successfully treated with over-the-counter creams and suppositories, pain medications, cold compresses, and warm baths. Increased fiber and fluid intake also helps alleviate symptoms by making stools softer and, therefore, decreasing irritation during bowel movements.