Internal hemorrhoids are unusually large and swollen veins in rectum. Because their origin is above dentate line they are usually painless.The fact that with internal hemorrhoids pain is felt only in a later stages of sickness, makes them harder to spot and treat. Internal hemorrhoids basically consist of tissue called ''anal cushions'', excessive pressure causes this tissue to swell and stretch, thus forming hemorrhoids.

Internal hemorrhoids have four stages of severity:

Hemorrhoids do not protrude from the anus, usually no pain is felt, only slight discomfort during bowel movements, bleeding can sometimes acure.

Hemorrhoids protrude from the anus but retreat back inside after bowel movement without help, bleeding is more frequent.

Hemorrhoids protrude form the anus but can not retreat without help, and must be pushed back inside, bleeding is quite often.

Hemorrhoids constantly protrude from the anus and can not be pushed back, it can lead to a vary painful condition called Incarcerated Hemorrhoids, which can only be resolved with hemorrhoid surgery.

Cause

With all hemorrhoids cause is the same, our lifestyle is often the #1 cause of hemorrhoids. Some other health conditions can also be the cause.

Wrong diet, to much fast food, red meat, sugar.

Not enough high fiber foods and insufficient water intake all that causes slow passage of stool through your colon, which leads to a constipation. To much sitting, lack of exercise slows bowel movement, which enables body to absorb water from stool, which leads to hard, pallet like stool, which again leads to a constipation.

Being overweight, causes unnecessary pressure on veins in your rectum, which leads to swelling of surrounding tissue, and that causes hemorrhoids.

Pregnancy and childbirth, hormones along with increased pressure by a baby on a pelvic area, causes veins to swell and stretch.

Medical problems like anal infection, liver or heart disease, or even tumors in the pelvic area can cause hemorrhoids.

Ageing, not much you can do about it, just make sure to avoid constipation.

Symptoms

Bleeding is usually the first symptom, as internal hemorrhoids origin is above dentate line they are rarely painful.

Anal itching can be caused by mucus secreted by rectal lining, it moistens the anus and the skin surrounding it, causing itching and burning. Soft, grape like, bulging tissue that protrudes from anus(Prolapsed hemorrhoids). Prolapsed hemorrhoid will usually retreat by itself or can be pushed back inside your rectum, but will protrude again with the next bowel movement.

Sometimes a vague anal ache after a bowel movement, a feeling that you are never finished with bowel movement.

Treatment

Treatment of internal hemorrhoids should be based on a healthy diet, combined with exercise. You should at the same time treat cause of hemorrhoids as well as hemorrhoid symptoms. If you don't take care of the causes, symptoms will return to pester you again and again, no matter what you do.