What are hemorrhoids

• Also known as piles, hemorrhoids are defined by the Mayo Clinic as swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and lower area of the rectum. They cause pain, bleeding from the anus and itching for sufferers. Hemorrhoids are caused by several conditions. Chronic sitting can cause the development of piles, and stressed bowel movements or constipation can also lead to hemorrhoids. Obesity and pregnancy can also put strain on the anus and veins, thereby leading to hemorrhoid growth. Symptoms of hemorrhoids include bleeding during bowel movements, pain, itching in the anus, fecal leakage and irritation near the anus. Hemorrhoids can be either external or internal. Internal hemorrhoids develop inside the rectum, while external hemorrhoids are around the anus and can itch or bleed.
  
  

How Shark Oil affects Hemorrhoids

• Shark liver oil is taken from deep-water sharks. Medically, the oil is believed to be helpful in battling medical conditions, such as cancer and infections of the body. Shark liver oil contains chemicals, including squalmine and alkylglycerol. It is the alkylglycerol that is found in most hemorrhoid medication, including Preparation H. The shark liver oil causes hemorrhoids to stop swelling and alleviates the associated pain and itching. Shark liver oil causes the blood vessels to constrict, which will ease burning, swelling and discomfort. It is this reaction from shark liver oil that also has the medical world interested in its use for cancer; the oil could shrink blood vessels, starving out tumors in the body. Fatty substances can be added to the oil to keep it on the hemorrhoids and ease irritation and exposure.
  
  

Hemorrhoid treatment

• Hemorrhoids are also treated with additional solutions. Medications can be prescribed by a doctor in extreme cases. Usage of rubber bands is applied by tying bands around a hemorrhoid to kill the circulation of blood. This procedure, rubber band ligation, can cause the hemorrhoid to shrivel, die and fall away from the body. Infrared light or heat can be applied to cause a hemorrhoid to also shrivel and die. If the pile has grown too large, surgery may be required in conjunction with a hemorrhoidectomy. In this procedure, bleeding tissue is removed in addition to the hemorrhoids.