•Hemorrhoids happen when the blood vessels in the anal canal and anus swell up, stretching the tissues and skin around the vessels (varicose veins of the rectum). Half of all Americans will suffer from hemorrhoids at some time in their life.

•Repeated constipation (or other problems in the colon or GI tract) is the number one cause of hemorrhoids. The resulting straining of the blood vessels can then push the bulging veins to the outside of the anus. If the constipation is hard enough and lasts long enough, the tissues can crack and bleed and even become infected.

•Internal hemorrhoidsare the most common type. They are not painful, but they do sometimes bleed and the bright blood can drip into the towel causing concern. Internal hemorrhoids may bulge out of the anus when one strains to have a bowel movement but they stop bulging outside when one stops straining.

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