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What are Hemorrhoids?
Hemorrhoids are swollen but normally present blood vessels in and around the anus and lower rectum that stretch under pressure, similar to veins in the legs. When bulging hemorrhoidal blood vessels are irritated, they cause surrounding membranes to swell, burn, itch, become very painful, and bleed. Hemorrhoids are caused by too much pressure in the rectum, forcing blood vessels to stretch, sometimes rupturing them. Other contributing factors include pregnancy, heredity, aging, and chronic constipation or diarrhea.
Internal:
Internal hemorrhoids develop within the anus and usually do not hurt or itch; you can not feel them because they are deep inside the rectum. Painless bleeding and protrusion during bowel movements are the most common symptoms. There are 4 stages of internal hemorrhoids:
Stage 1: Hemorrhoids are slightly enlarged and may bleed, but they do not prolapse.
Stage 2: Hemorrhoids prolapse with straining but recede on their own.
Stage3: Hemorrhoids prolapse with straining, they bleed, and they have to be pushed back in place.
Stage 4: Hemorrhoids are so large that they protrude all the time and almost always bleed.
External:
External hemorrhoids develop near the anus and are covered by very sensitive skin. Most common symptoms are pain, burning and itching. If a blood clot develops, because it gets cut off from blood supply, a painful swelling may occur.
Who is affected?
Hemorrhoids are very common in men and women. More than half of the population develop hemorrhoids, usually after the age of 30. Hemorrhoids are also common among pregnant women. For most women, however, hemorrhoids caused by pregnancy are a temporary problem and will heal by itself.
Clinical studies from Prof. Dr. P. Buchmann, Zürich University Hospital, Switzerland:
Medical studies have shown that after one month of heat treatment with the Delwa-Star H&P more than two thirds of the patients show a significant improvement in their condition for 1st and 2nd degree hemorrhoids.