External Hemorrhoids
 Hemroids affect millions of people worldwide and are particularly prevalent in industrialized countries. Two main types of hemroids are external hemroids and internal hemroids. Both these types of hemroids are the cause of considerable pain, itching, and burning – a lot of discomfort for the patient. External hemroids are more obvious than the internal type since they are readily felt by the patient at the opening of the anal canal. Bleeding hemroids can also propogate when the condition is more severe. Usually, external hemorrhoids are considered more painful and discomforting and the patient is naturally more worried about immediate relief from the symptoms.
Symptoms of External Hemroids
External hemroids can easily be detected by physical examination of the anal region. These are typically characterized a fleshy growth around the anal area that is felt as hard lumps. These do not appear through the anal opening but are found on the rim close to it. External hemorrhoids are mostly brownish in color and they cause irritation, itching, and, in many cases, bleeding. Rectal pain is also one of the more common symptoms of hemroids.
Nature of the Condition
Hemroids are actually cushions (tissues) found in the anal canal area in all people. The hemroidal cushions are not found on the surface of the body but many of the vessels supplying blood to them take a ‘dip’ down to the body’s surface before joining back inside. Swelling in any of these vessels causes the enlarged lumps that are known as external hemroids.
What Causes External Hemorrhoids
The main external hermroids cause appears to be pressure exerted on the vessels that supply blood to the hemroidal cushions in the anal region. The pressure on these vessels may come from one or more causes including (but not limited to): digestive problems like constipation and diarrhea; sitting on the toilet for a prolonged period of time; sitting too long at a desk or in a seat etc; obesity and/or excess weight; and pregnancy (in women). Age is also an important factor in developing hemroids, both external and internal, with older people being at a higher risk, especially those above 50 years of age.
Treatment
Various treatment methods are used to provide both symptomatic and long-term external hemroids relief. Analgesic (pain-killing) drugs and topical medications are used for relieving pain and helping to reduce the swelling of the vessels. Fiber supplements are usually recommended for coping with digestive problems that aggravate hemroids. In severe hemroids cases, surgery is performed to provide long-term relief from the condition.
External Hemroids Relief
Quick relief from external hemroids is a sought after topic and many remedies have been used for providing relief from the pain, burning, and itching associated with the external type of hemroids. One of the easiest and simplest remedies is taking a warm bath for 15 to 20 minutes, three times daily. Temporary relief may also come from the use of an ice pack on the affected area. Wearing loose garments and eating a fiber-rich diet also help in preventing an external hemorrhoid or reducing the severity of exernal hemorrhoids.
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