Bleeding hemorrhoids are generally considered an advanced state of hemorrhoid formation although rectal bleeding isn’t always attributed to hemorrhoids.  Other anal bleeding problems, including abscesses, fistulae, fissures or irritation and itching – some potentially life threatening – have similar symptoms to bleeding hemorrhoids. So it’s important to get an early diagnosis.   In most of the cases, however, if hemorrhoids are bleeding they are likely internal hemorrhoids. Early diagnosis provides you with a better opportunity to get relief from bleeding hemorrhoids.

Bright red blood is consistent with bleeding hemorrhoids, whereas darker blood is suggestive of bleeding much further up the anal canal and not so much from bleeding hemorrhoids.  Bleeding hemorrhoids are either internal or external hemorrhoids.  There are two distinct types of nerves in the anus: visceral nerves which transmit a feeling of pressure, while the somatic nerves conduct pain impulses.  This is why internal hemorrhoids, affected by visceral nerves are painless, while external hemorrhoids, affected by somatic nerves can be very painful.

The release of fresh blood externally or internally is the main symptom of bleeding hemorrhoids. Bleeding internal hemorrhoids can result in fresh blood in the stools, in the toilet bowl and on toilet paper. Many patients are quite startled to see the flow of blood from that part of the body.

Blood loss from hemorrhoids may be so voluminous at times, that the sufferer may become anemic and iron deficient.  For some, bleeding from hemorrhoids may be so extreme that the toilet bowl is inundated with blood after each defecation. But for most hemorrhoid sufferers though, bleeding from hemorrhoids is usually very little, if any.

In general, hemorrhoids are a painful condition in which veins in the rectal and anal area become swollen. Some have likened this condition to varicose veins which occur with age. While some types of hemorrhoids can clear up by themselves after minimal treatment, other types such as bleeding hemorrhoids can be far more serious.

The condition is made worse if you have constipation, or when passing a very large and/or hard stool. Bleeding hemorrhoids can cause great inconvenience, not to mention embarrassment, for many sufferers.

Understandably, the initial reaction is panic clouded by thoughts of a dreadful disease. Any kind of rectal bleeding is worth a trip to a doctor for a proper diagnosis. In most cases, however, your doctor will say you are suffering from bleeding hemorrhoids a not uncommon diagnosis and you can breathe a sigh of relief. In that case you’ll need to focus on ridding your system of hemorrhoids using topical medications and diet change, because if you don’t…they will worsen with surgery as the next logical step.

Usually, bleeding from the anus, in the stool on toilet papers or in the toilet bowl is the first sign you have internal hemorrhoids. Bleeding hemorrhoids are relatively painless because nerve endings are not as prevalent internally as they are externally. If bleeding hemorrhoids are left untreated an individual will probably experience itching, burning and possible rectal pain during elimination. Because of the nature of hemorrhoids, straining during a bowel movement from constipation often causes hemorrhoid formation so stopping constipation eases the symptoms of hemorrhoids. Weak valves and walls in the anal canal and rectum are also contributing factors to bleeding hemorrhoids. All the above problems are due primarily to hard stools passing through the rectum.  Ultimately, all these symptoms have a basis in an improper diet.

The most common symptom of internal bleeding hemorrhoids is that bright red blood covering the stool, on toilet paper, or in the toilet bowl, is a condition known as hematochezia, Untreated and in time, they may protrude through the anus as external hemorrhoids. Symptoms of external hemorrhoids include painful swelling or lump around the anus.

A number of factors may lead to hemorrhoid formation including irregular bowel habits (constipation or diarrhea), exercise, improper nutrition (low-fiber diet), excessive intra-abdominal pressure (prolonged straining), pregnancy, aging, genetics, and the absence of valves within the hemorrhoidal veins, and aging.  Other factors that increase rectal vein pressure resulting in hemorrhoids include obesity and sitting for long periods of time.

During pregnancy, pressure from the fetus on the abdomen and hormonal changes cause the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge. Delivery also leads to increased intra-abdominal pressures.  Surgical treatment is rarely needed, as symptoms usually resolve post delivery

Bleeding Hemorrhoid Causes

• Extremely weak anal and rectal valves or veins
• Severe constipation
• Stress in the portal vein
• Straining during the bowel movements in pregnancy
• Excessive consumption of caffeine or alcoholic drinks
• Hypertension
• Increased pressure on the rectal veins due to improper muscle tone
• Improper muscle posture such as prolonged sitting on a toilet seat

Bleeding Hemorrhoid Treatment

• Start drinking more water daily — at least six to eight glasses. Hard stool in the rectum irritates rectal veins and water helps soften fecal matter.
• Eat more fiber with your meals. Fiber acts as a sponge absorbing more liquid giving bulk to the stool for easier elimination.
• Eat at regular times and choose healthy foods with a particular emphasis on vegetables and fruits. In today’s breakneck pace, meals are often eaten on the run and loaded with calories. Make an effort to keep your digestive system on a schedule.
• Take food supplements containing herbs that promotes vascular health and improved digestion. Butcher’s broom, stone root, marshmallow root, slippery elm bark, red root, and peppermint all have natural curative powers.
• Regularly cleanse the rectum with water from a rectal bulb or prepackaged enema solutions to flush out impurities and toxins.
• Recommended treatment consists of increasing fiber intake, oral fluids to maintain hydration, NSAID analgesics, sitz baths, and rest. Surgery is reserved for those who fail to improve following these measures.

The sight of blood on toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl is a wake-up call.  Understandably, the initial reaction is panic clouded by thoughts of a dreadful disease. Any kind of rectal bleeding is worth a trip to a doctor for a proper diagnosis. In most cases, however, your doctor will say you are suffering from hemorrhoids and you can breathe a sigh of relief. In that case you’ll need to focus on ridding your system of hemorrhoids using topical medications and diet change, because if you don’t…they will worsen with surgery as the next step.

Bleeding hemorrhoids should be evaluated by a qualified physician and given prompt treatment before the condition becomes a real problem. For those who suffer from bleeding hemorrhoids for the first time, it can be a scary and unnerving experience.

Hemorrhoids are one of the most common ailments known to man. The majority of the worlds population will suffer from hemorrhoids at some point in their lives. By the time a person is fifty they will have a sixty five percent chance of developing some form of hemorrhoids. The older we are,  the more likely the chance of  getting  hemorrhoids.

Who gets hemorrhoids ?

Pregnant women are prone to getting hemorrhoids because of the added pressure of the developing baby and hormonal changes in their bodies. The stress of childbirth contributes to hemorrhoids forming, but usually in this case,  hemorrhoids will clear up after the postpartum period. Truck drivers also seem prone to getting hemorrhoids because of the long periods of time they have to sit while driving. Children and teenagers get hemorrhoids more today than ever because of poor eating habits (fast food) and a lack of exercise.

Millions of people get hemorrhoids and suffer silently instead of taking the necessary steps to see a doctor because they feel embarrassed. For whatever reason our society has conditioned most of us to feel this way, which is unfortunate.

Napoleon Bonaparte had hemorrhoids

Hemorrhoids are really “varicose veins” in the rectum and anus. Hemorrhoids have probably been around in human beings since we started walking on two legs, because four-legged creatures don’t seem to get them. With walking in the upright position, our species added more pressure to the pelvic area. This additional stress on veins causes them to enlarge and with bowel movements passing through the rectum, the conditions are ripe for the delicate tissue of the veins to be scraped and begin to bleed. If the condition worsens, the veins can protrude from the rectum and add untold misery to your life. Almost everyone has internal hemorrhoids, but they don’t cause major problems in some people. They remain blissfully unaware of having them. But many people at sometime in their life will develop a problem with hemorrhoids that will require some for of treatment. Fifty percent of the population over the age of  sixty are dealing with troublesome hemorrhoids. But it is not just a condition that affects older people; anyone can develop hemorrhoids at any time in their life. Even in the early stages, hemorrhoids can be irritating and can sharply curtail your lifestyle.

If you suffer from hemorrhoids, you are in the company of some famous people. Napoleon Bonaparte was said to have had hemorrhoids, and some historians have actually debated whether he lost the Battle of Waterloo because he was unable to sit on his horse during the battle to lead his army.In 1978, President Jimmy Carter had to leave a party at the White House because of hemorrhoidal pain. The pain was so severe that he was incapacitated and could no longer perform his duties. He had surgery soon afterward, and returned to the Oval Office. George Brett, a third baseman for the Kansas City Royals, missed part of the World Series in 1980 because of hemorrhoids. Minor surgery was performed, so he could return quickly to the game the next day.

Jimmy Carter, hemorrhoid sufferer

To further investigate how and where hemorrhoids form, let’s examine the human body’s internal plumbing. The anal canal is about two inches long and is never cleaned out like every other opening in our bodies; e.g., the mouth, nose and ears. The waste matter passing through the anal canal leaves a lot of residue, which putrefies and causes burning, terrible itching, bleeding, etc. Hard stool can cause swelling, fissures and other injuries to the soft lining of the anal canal and irritate the hemorrhoidal veins which protrude into the canal.Veins in the rectum pull blood away from the tissue to send back to the heart, and they expand (dilate) during defecation when the area swells to force out the stool. When a person is constipated, they often strain at passing a bowel movement.This constant straining can interfere with the normal functioning of the veins. The veins can become permanently swollen, causing pain, itching and bleeding. The swollen blood vessels or capillaries can rupture, causing bleeding. This is a problem with pregnant women, because, during pregnancy, the developing fetus puts pressure on the veins of the lower abdomen. Inside the anus are many blood vessels that act like inflatable cushions, forming a tight seal that helps prevent stool, gas, and mucus from leaking from your rectum. If one or more of these vessels becomes inflamed or drops out of its normal position on the rectal wall it becomes a hemorrhoid.

There are two types of hemorrhoids, internal and external. Internal hemorrhoids remain in the rectum while external hemorrhoids can prolapse or originate outside the anus. Prolapse is the term used for hemorrhoids that start internally but descend outside of the anus. The external or prolapsed are considered the more painful variety of hemorrhoids.

Bleeding from the rectum in females after a bowel movement can be a frightening experience. Initially panic and fear might lead one to think there may be a serious condition because blood in the stool is not a natural occurrence and may require immediate medical attention. Fortunately, it is usually something very simple and benign, like anal fissures which are often minor cuts or scrapes along the gastrointestinal tract near the opening of the anus. Fissures are a fairly common condition, affecting men and women in all walks of life. Constipation and hard stools are the main culprits when, as the stool scrapes the anal lining, bleeding results as the sufferer strains during a bowel movement.

Another common condition that may cause rectal bleeding is hemorrhoids. Although many people have hemorrhoids, not all experience the same symptoms. The most common symptom of hemorrhoids is bright red blood covering the stool, blood on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl.

Pregnant women are especially susceptible to rectal bleeding. Pregnancy can cause constipation, followed by straining which may finally result in hemorrhoids. The reason may be simply mechanical from the pressure exerted by the heavy womb as the fetus compresses the intestine, putting more pressure on the rectum. Also female hormonal problems caused by rising progesterone levels can occur. The more progesterone, the less likely the colon is able to absorb water, an important factor in helping the stool slide down the anal passage. For most women this is a temporary situation as the entire gastrointestinal system rights itself after childbirth.

To be sure, there are not more serious problems causing bleeding from the rectum in females like colon cancer, rectal cancer, stomach cancer, ulcerative colitis, Crohns disease, irritable bowel and peptic ulcers.

For any of the above, evaluation and proper diagnosis by a physician is very important. Be aware that bleeding from the rectum or where blood is found in the stool, on toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl, the cause should be sourced as soon as possible. Your doctor will examine the anus and rectum for swollen blood vessels and perform a digital rectal exam with a gloved lubricated finger to probe for any abnormalities or lumps. There are other more involved examinations to explore the entire rectum in order to rule out any and all causes of bleeding from the rectum.

Hemorrhoid causes can be as diverse as hemorrhoid symptoms, ranging from diet to hypertension. Basically, hemorrhoids are caused by too much pressure on the veins in the pelvic and rectal area. With pressure, the veins in the rectum become swollen and inflamed. This pressure can be traced to many sources:

Straining to have a bowel movement can cause a hemorrhoid to form because it puts undue pressure on the veins in the rectal area. This causes them to swell and stretch. Normally, tissue in the rectal area fills with blood to regulate bowel movements. If a person strains too long and too hard with a bowel movement the veins can become hemorrhoidal. A bowel movement should be natural, spontaneous and not forced. Bowel movements vary from individual to individual as to frequency. Normal is regarded as anywhere from three times a day to three times a week. So avoid straining when sitting on the toilet because of the added pressure that you put on the rectal area.

Diarrhea can also cause severe strain on internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. Loose stool will irritate the sensitive tissues of the hemorrhoids causing them to further enlarge and inflame. Diarrhea may be associated with the flu, traveling, emotional upset, or overuse of laxatives. Usually, diarrhea clears up in a day or two, but chronic diarrhea will present a serious situation for the hemorrhoid sufferer. Furthermore, sitting on the toilet for long periods of time adds more pressure to the veins.

Being overweight pressures the circulatory system adding to the burden the veins in the rectal area must carry. Obesity is a leading contributor to a host of diseases and a shortened life span. It is estimated that 64% of the population in this country is obese and has been growing more so in the last forty years. One of the best things that you can do for yourself is to get your weight under control. Learn you body mass index or BMI number because it takes into account your weight along with your height. Adding a more balanced diet and exercise program to your lifestyle will go along way in shedding those extra pounds. Use the BMI calculator at then end of this article to get your body mass index.

Pregnancy exerts tremendous pressure on the rectum. It is a primary hemorrhoid cause, affecting a woman usually in the last 6 months of pregnancy and immediately postpartum. The enlarging uterus increases the burden on the pelvic veins and this slows the return of blood from your body’s lower half. The added pressure on the veins below the developing baby causes the tissue to dilate and swell. The hormone progesterone, which is secreted in greater amounts during pregnancy, causes the veins to relax increasing the swelling in them. Progesterone also slows down the intestinal tract, leading to more constipation during pregnancy as a hemorrhoid cause.

The aging process also contributes to hemorrhoid causes and symptoms. As with constipation, your chance of suffering with hemorrhoids increases with age. About half of the population over the age of 50 has hemorrhoids. Generally, older people neglect to exercise and take-in less fluids, which contributes to constipation. Moreover, muscles in the rectum lose their elasticity with age, so older people strain more and are more likely to develop hemorrhoids symptoms.

Heredity cannot be discounted as a hemorrhoid cause. Doctors believe there is a genetic link to developing hemorrhoids because in certain families the incidence of hemorrhoids is much higher than the norm. If either of your parents had hemorrhoids, it is very likely that you will also develop them in your lifetime.

Constipation is defined as bowel movements that involve excessive straining, difficulty, or discomfort, or that occurs less than three times a week. Constipation results in hard, dry stools which aggravate the sensitive tissue in the anal canal. Constipation can lead to more serious problems, such as hemorrhoids, anal fissures, and damage to the muscles and supportive tissues of the rectal area. A diet lacking in fluid and fiber, in combination with poor bowel habits, such as holding back a bowel movement, is the most common cause of constipation. to stress on the circulatory system. Portal hypertension is named for the portal vein which gathers blood from the stomach, intestine, spleen and pancreas. Smaller veins descend from this larger one and travel through the liver. If veins are blocked in the liver, high blood pressure results in the portal system. Hemorrhoids can develop when the blood tries to find other ways to get around the blockage in the liver.