Everyone has hemorrhoids, so what makes some hemorrhoids so noticeable that they cause us to worry?

There are three biggies - painful hemorrhoids, prolapsed hemorrhoids and bleeding hemorrhoids. If anyone comes down with one or more of these symptoms, the panic button goes off and, because hemorrhoids are in our unmentionable area, embarrassment often stops people from seeking out professional diagnosis.

Professional diagnosis is important as these big symptoms may be due to other things than hemorrhoids - for example, bowel cancer and anal fissure.

Here we are discussing painful hemorrhoids.

Hemorrhoids that are causing pain and discomfort are one of life's biggest downers. Painful hemorrhoids reduces our quality of life to the point where even sitting can become a torturous nightmare.

If you are amongst the unlucky hemorrhoid sufferers who suffer with painful hemorrhoids, then you will be pleased to know that help is at hand through a variety of treatments.

Firstly, why are hemorrhoids painful?

Primarily because they have been injured.

Painful hemorrhoid treatments:

If they are sore and inside you, then the pain is likely due to the hemorrhoid being scratched by a hard stool passing through - this can also cause bleeding. If constipation and or hard stools are your problem, then increase the fiber in your diet and or take fiber supplements. Remember though, that if you increase your intake of fiber, to also increase your intake of water, as the fiber swells with water as it passes through your system to create a soft bulky mass that is much easier to pass.

If the hemorrhoids are sore and outside you, then the painful hemorrhoid is likely the result of the hemorrhoid being scratched by toilet paper or being clamped down on by your bottom muscles.

Use soft toilet paper and or wet face cloths / flannels to clean up your bottom if the toilet paper was responsible - wipe gently. If the injury was due to clamping muscles, then an easy quick fix is to gently push the hemorrhoids back inside the hole - there the hemorrhoids wont be clamped down on. If the hemorrhoids wont stay inside, then there are many other hemorrhoid remedies to try. Sitz baths, Preparation H and other herbal tablets, creams and solutions. The idea is to soothe and bring pain relief so that one can start enjoying life again.

Witch hazel and mullein are perhaps the most well known herbal treatments for painful hemorrhoids.

If you are tired of depending on such topical ointments to relieve hemorrhoid pain, then there are more complete herbal preparations that are designed to heal and cure hemorrhoids and bring immediate hemorrhoid pain relief.

If you are disbelieving of the herbal alternatives, as I was at first, then your likely line of attack will be through hemorrhoid operations, such as rubber band ligation, or "banding" for short. There are other alternatives to this operation, such as freezing or burning the hemorrhoids to death.

If your hemorrhoids are showing themselves constantly, then your likely operation will be the dreaded hemorrhoidectomy. A very unpleasant and painful surgical procedure.