What is a hemorrhoid?

Hemorrhoids are a natural part of the anatomy.  The term "symptomatic hemorrhoids" is used when hemorrhoid veins become inflamed and cause bleeding, pain, itching and discomfort. 


Hemorrhoids are classified by location: internal, external and mixed, or by severity using grades I through IV.

Grade I hemorrhoids bleed during defecation, but do not prolapse.  Grade II hemorrhoids prolapse to the outside of the anal canal after defecation, but return spontaneously to within the anal canal.  Grade III hemorrhoids protrude outside the anal canal and require manual insertion into the anal canal.  Grade IV hemorrhoids are the most severe, and remain in the prolapsed state.  Grade IV hemorrhoids are irreducible.


Although symptomatic hemorrhoids have been known to exist since Greek civilization, there is still a large debate among experts as to what actually causes them. The following factors are believed to contribute to the hemorrhoid condition:

 

• Heredity
• Anatomic Features
• Nutrition
• Occupation
• Climate
• Psychological problems
• Senility
• Endocrine changes
• Food and drugs
• Infection
• Pregnancy
• Exercise
• Coughing
• Straining
• Vomiting
• Constrictive clothing
• Constipation

The anuleaf adhesive device when worn may provide relief from the pain of hemorrhoids as well as the following conditions:  anal fissures, anal warts, anal ulcers, pilonidal sinus, anal prolapse, and vaginal prolapse.