Hemarroids, Hemaroids, Haemorroids

They are much like varicose veins you might see on a person\\\'s legs.

You may be extremely surprised to know that the parallels between hemorrhoids and varicose veins are almost identical. In essence hemorrhoids are actually varicose veins that are located around the rectum or anus. Here are a few of those similarities that may astonish you.

Varicose veins and hemorrhoids are both very common conditions in the United States that affect both men and women. When it comes to varicose veins it affects about 15 percent of men and 25 percent of women. Hemorrhoids, on the other hand, affects approximately 10 million Americans. By the age of 50 about half of the population will have experienced some form or symptom of hemorrhoids.

Pregnancy - pregnant women complain of the development of both these conditions. Varicose veins develop because of the decrease of blood flow from the legs to the pelvis and may worsen during late pregnancy because the uterus exerts greater pressure on the veins in your legs. As for hemorrhoids, the amount of pressure of the baby upon the abdomen, hormonal changes in the woman's body, and finally the severe pressure during childbirth are all causes for the hemorrhoidal vessels to enlarge.

Symptoms - the symptoms for both of these conditions are also very surprisingly similar. In the case of varicose veins a few of the symptoms may include an achiness, heaviness, burning, muscle cramping and swelling or throbbing in your legs. There may also be itchiness around the enlarged vein. For hemorrhoids you may experience irritation and itchiness, blood covering the stool or on toilet paper after use, pain from a swollen vein or hard lump around the anus.

Common risk factors - both conditions also have a few common risk factors which may increase your chances of developing either of these ailments. For example, if you do a lot of sitting like at your job then you will increase your chances developing hemorrhoids. Likewise, if your job consists of a lot of standing for long periods of time then there is the potential risk of the development of varicose veins. In both these circumstances, sitting or standing for long periods does not allow for the blood to flow thus causing strain.

Sex and Obesity- women have a greater probability of developing both hemorrhoids and varicose veins due to hormonal changes, pregnancy or menopause. Also, gaining extra weight, in both men and women, will add more pressure on veins resulting in either of these conditions.

Prevention - preventative care will help to decrease the potential of developing either or both of these conditions for both men and women. Some great preventative measures you can start with are exercise, diet and living a good and healthy lifestyle. A fantastic exercise that will help for both conditions is walking. Walking will help with blood flow and circulation without any added strain. As for diet, you should try and eat a low salt, high fiber diet with whole grains, fruits and vegetables and drink lots of water, approximately 6 to 8 glasses a day.