10 tips for a healthy hiney

Q: What are the best treatments for hemorrhoids, both the internal sort and the external? I ask because my wife and I suffer with these. Lucky us.

A: In the United States, approximately half of all people will suffer from hemorrhoids at some point in life, usually between the ages of 20 and 50. It's not necessarily a problem of the elderly or constipated, it can happen to anyone, even people who are healthy, who happen to sit for very long periods of time. Hemorrhoids — whether internal or external — happen due to weak veins that swell because of pressure. If these weak veins occur on the legs, we refer to them as "varicose" veins. The blood pools, and causes veins to swell and engorge; this can be caused by many situations, among them obesity, pregnancy, lifting heavy objects or boxes, straining on the toilet, coughing, sneezing, standing or sitting for long periods of time. People who eat a high-fiber diet and stay well hydrated are less likely to suffer with hemorrhoids, whereas people who eat processed foods will eventually feel it in the end.

Before I offer suggestions, I will first describe internal and external. The primary difference is pain. With internal hemorrhoids, there is no pain because the swollen veins are higher up in the rectum where there are no nerves. There may be no symptoms at all , or you may have bleeding after a bowel movement. For some, bleeding may be the first, and only, sign of internal hemorrhoids. For others, you may have a thin stool, and the urge that you are not finished yet. External hemorrhoids hurt like crazy and if untreated it can thrombose, meaning it can turn purplish-blue and bleed. They can itch, burn and irritate the anus, and you can feel them easily. No matter the type, don't sit excessively, or let your butt fall asleep on hard chairs.