Quick Relief From Hemorrhoids

Elizabeth Taylor had them. So did Alfred the Great and German philosopher Karl Marx. Indeed, hemorrhoids are so common they've been with mankind for centuries. No one, it seems, is spared from the pain and discomfort they bring.

The problem of hemorrhoids is so widespread that Russian author Nikolai Gogol was shocked to learn "there was not one man in St. Petersburg free from this nuisance." French Emperor Napoleon couldn't ride his horse because of them and the African explorer David Livingstone reportedly died due to hemorrhoids.

Experts said approximately five percent of the population has them. The bad news is that as we get older, we become more prone to them.

"Hemorrhoids are essentially varicose veins that form along the linings of the anal canal and lower rectum. Sometimes these bulging veins can protrude through the anus or 'prolapse' or they can pop up under the surface of the skin around the anal opening. Wherever hemorrhoids occur, they can burn, itch, bleed, and hurt like heck. They can make a bowel movement, which irritates them, an experience to be dreaded, and for most sufferers, they're just plain embarrassing too," according to the editors of Consumer Guide's "Medical Book of Home Remedies for People Over 40."

The symptoms of hemorrhoids are bad enough but the worst is yet to come. A prolapsed hemorrhoid - one that protrudes outside the anus - can become irritated and bleed. If the prolapse is severe, thrombosis or a blood clot may form, causing the vein to become black and appear dead.

"A thrombosed external hemorrhoid is a painful blood clot that develops in a hemorrhoid that has been pushed outside the anus. Thrombosed external hemorrhoids tend to occur at a younger age, and usually follow certain traumatic events, including childbirth, heavy lifting, exercise, severe straining to have a bowel movement, even violent coughing or sneezing," warned the editors of the "Johns Hopkins Health Insider."

If you have rectal bleeding, see a doctor at once to rule out other serious diseases like colon cancer. Since being overweight contributes to hemorrhoids, stay fit with a good diet and a regular exercise program. One product that can help is Phenocal, a safe, natural, and effective weight loss supplement that boosts your metabolism, suppresses your appetite, reduces food cravings, and increases energy levels to keep you in shape. For more information, visit http://www.phenocal.com.