If you are one of the millions of people who have experienced the discomfort and irritation of hemorrhoids, you understand the need for keeping a fast-acting hemorrhoid treatment close at hand.
 We can help you find an effective remedy that begins working immediately to soothe the burning and inflammation of swollen anal tissue.
What do hemorrhoids look like? Inflamed anal tissue typically appears as pinkish nodes of flesh which are lighter than the surrounding skin.
 Bleeding hemorrhoids which have clotted and hardened (thrombosed hemorrhoids) show as dark purple or bluish swellings around the rectum.
While thrombosed hemorrhoids may have an alarming appearance and cause a considerable amount of pain, they are not, in fact, a cause for overwhelming concern.
 They can be treated in much the same manner as any other hemorrhoidal tissue.
What causes the swelling? Hemorrhoids are nothing more than bulging, sagging blood vessels inside the anal canal or protruding from the rectum.
 They are caused by excessive pressure in the pelvic and abdominal areas, mainly as a result of pushing and straining to pass a bowel movement.
Other factors which increase the risk of developing hemorrhoids include pregnancy, childbirth, obesity, and impacted stools.
What are the symptoms? Internal hemorrhoidal swelling may be present without showing any symptoms; there are few sensory nerves in the anal canal, so it is not uncommon to have internal hemorrhoids with no pain.
 However, they may rupture and bleed as a result of passing a stool, and you may notice bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet bowl.
External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, are quite noticeable.
 They can be felt as small bumps around the rectal opening, as well as seen.
 They may be pinkish in color; thrombosed hemorrhoids may be hardened and appear dark purple in color.
 The external inflammation can cause a great deal of pain; passing a stool may be difficult due to the discomfort, and the swollen tissue may rupture and bleed.
Is surgery necessary? In the majority of cases, surgery to remove hemorrhoidal tissue is not necessary.
 If hemorrhoids do not heal on their own, your doctor may recommend that you have them surgically removed; however, the procedure can be expensive and comes with its own complications.
What are the most effective treatments? Most people can treat hemorrhoids successfully at home.
 For immediate pain relief, soaking in a bath of warm (not hot) water can be extremely effective.
There are a variety of over-the-counter lotions available for easing the pain and itching of hemorrhoids.
 These analgesic creams are applied to the affected area several times per day as needed until the swelling heals.