There's no escaping the fact that hemorrhoids are not only painful and uncomfortable physically, but the discomfort most people have about even mentioning the problem leads to a great deal of embarrassment. If you suffer from hemorrhoids, then you're not alone - this is an extremely common problem, affecting more than half of people at some point in their lives. This is a problem which is relatively easy to diagnose, since there are distinctive hemorrhoid symptoms which sufferers experience.

A hemorrhoid is simply an inflamed vein which is unfortunately enough in your anal region. This is a condition which can affect anyone at any age. There are two basic types of hemorrhoids: internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids, although it is possible to suffer from both types of hemorrhoid concurrently.

External hemorrhoids are the most common of the two types, with the inflamed veins being located on the outer part of the anus. External hemorrhoid symptoms may vary somewhat, with pain and itching being relatively common. Some sufferers experience difficulty with voiding their bowels and it is not unusual to have a small amount of blood be present in the area, usually visible when wiping after a bowel movement. Some people with external hemorrhoids may have a stiff, swollen area in the anal region as well.

Internal hemorrhoid symptoms differ in some respects, although they are just as if not more painful and itchy as external hemorrhoids. There may be noticeable bleeding when moving one's bowels when afflicted with internal hemorrhoids. People suffering from this type of hemorrhoids also are prone to feeling as if they constantly need to move their bowels - this sensation is due to the location of the hemorrhoids just inside the rectum and the irritation of the tissues surrounding the inflamed veins themselves.

People with internal hemorrhoids are also likely to find themselves becoming irregular as well as experiencing frequent bouts of diarrhea, constipation or both.

It's important to take good care of your health; and a big part of this is being able to recognize when something is wrong. As embarrassing of a problem as they are, you'll want to be able to recognize hemorrhoid symptoms so that you can work to remedy the problem. There are a number of different factors which can cause hemorrhoids, including hereditary factors. If you're predisposed to developing hemorrhoids, there's not a lot you can do to prevent them entirely.

However, whether or not you have a genetic predisposition towards developing hemorrhoids, there are some things which you can do to help. A healthy diet which contains all of the minerals and vitamins you need and is high in fiber is important. In fact being in general good health reduces your risk. If you are overweight, you are at a higher risk for hemorrhoids.

Pregnancy is another common contributing factor. If you are pregnant, remember to eat a healthy, high fiber diet, get regular exercise and keep your anal region clean. You'll also want to keep an eye out for any hemorrhoid symptoms so that you can treat the problem as soon as possible.