Hemorrhoids are not exactly like any other disease or disorder out on the planet. They can be very painful to deal with, difficult to cure, and embarrassing to look for cures for. Asking for hemorrhoid cream at the drugstore requires a soft voice combined with dark glasses, and walking out of the store can turn any hemorrhoid sufferer into an instant rabbit.

Be comforted, however: hemorrhoids are actually quite prevalent, and they are growing all the more common in today's society, where people are too busy to drink water, eat lots of fiber, and take care of themselves. In fact, hemorrhoids are more prevalent in overweight and obese persons, and the phenomenon of obesity is in fact on the rise in this digital day and age of easy things and easy, fast foods.

What are hemorrhoids anyhow? Hemorrhoids will cover a wide variety of rectal disorders that result in painful defecation and sometimes bleeding from the rectum. The most obvious sign that a person has hemorrhoids is if there are swollen blood vessels in the rectum. This is brought about by constipation and lack of water consumption, which can lead to harder bowels that are harder to expel, and thus an even more scratched, more damaged rectum.

So what are the different treatments available for hemorrhoids? There are of course creams and suppositories, although many doctors will caution against the use of suppositories and ask patients to go the embarrassing route and look for hemorrhoid treatment creams. However, such creams will not take the hemorrhoids away completely, but they will provide some pain relief for the hemorrhoids that can allow the person suffering from the hemorrhoids to have some respite.

In addition to all these, a person with hemorrhoids needs to soften his or her bowels in order for defecation to be less stressful, less painful, and consequently less damaging to the rectum. People with hemorrhoids are often prescribed a high fiber diet, coupled to lots of water. These will aid in pushing bowels out and restoring water and ions to the body. If defecation is still painful, doctors recommend swabbing the area with a little petroleum jelly; staying away from colored or perfumed toilet paper, and using only damp, soft toilet paper; and, if possible, using a bidet to clean the anus after defecation instead of using toilet paper.

Doctors also recommend that patients stay away from strenuous activity, such as lifting heavy things. They will also recommend that patients partake of a sitz bath, the common remedy for hemorrhoids. In a sitz bath, patients sit with their knees raised while they are soaking in a few inches of warm water. This can relieve some of the pain and relax patients.

Patients with hemorrhoids are also required to stay away from diuretics, such as coffee, tea, and cola, as these can further harden the bowels. They are also not allowed to eat spicy foods or salty foods. Alcoholic beverages should also be avoided, as they can deprive the body of water.

These are only a few treatments available for hemorrhoids. If hemorrhoids worsen, it may take surgery to remove them. For more information, talk to your doctor about foods that you should eat, foods that you should stay away from, and what treatment options are available for you. Soon, you will no longer have to be embarrassed, and your trips to the bathroom need not be painful anymore.