A hemorrhoid is what happens when one of the blood vessels in the rectal area becomes swollen, leading to inflammation, pain, itching, bleeding, and possibly a variety of other unpleasant symptoms.
There are many causes of hemorrhoids, but ultimately they all come down to the rectal tissue either being irritated or being under too much pressure.
The reason this is important is that if you want to reduce your hemorrhoid symptoms, you need to identify what is causing them in the first place.
Once you've done this, you can then use an appropriate treatment method to return the swollen blood vessel to it's normal state.
One of the most common causes of hemorrhoids is excess straining during bowel movements, generally due to hard stools that to not move through the colon properly.
The solution to this is to make sure you are keeping well hydrated and have enough fiber in your diet.
When dealing with hemorrhoids, adding extra fiber to your diet is always a good place to start.
Another common cause of hemorrhoids is simply the act of sitting for too long.
Most people don't realize it, but sitting actually puts strain on the blood vessels of the rectal area.
Over time, this can lead to the formation of hemorrhoids, or worsen symptoms of existing hemorrhoids.
Try not to sit for periods of time longer than 1 hour without getting up for a few minutes and walking around.
There are of course many other things you can do to alleviate hemorrhoid symptoms, but even these simple tips are enough to guarantee a reduction in symptoms if properly applied.