Hemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and lower rectum. They are similar to varicose veins and result from the stretching and pressure on the blood vessels, causing them to expand, thin, and bleed. Prolonged stretching leads to the vessels protruding.
About one in 20 Americans have hemorrhoids, and they cause about 4 million office or emergency visits per year. Approximately 75 percent will experience hemorrhoidal symptoms at some point in their lives, and about half of people over 50 have them. The peak incidence occurs in both men and women between the ages of 45 and 65. The condition is the most common cause of rectal bleeding in the United States.
