Not all hemorrhoids are created equal. One of the more common types of hemorrhoids are called internal hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids of any type are swollen veins in or near the anus. These can be caused by constipation, heavy lifting, pregnancy and lack of exercise.

Internal Hemorrhoids are inside the rectum. Here a swollen vein protrudes through the intestinal wall. These may be evidenced by red blood spots on stools. They usually cause no pain except when trying to pass hard stools. Sometimes they will heal on their own especially if the cause is addressed right away. If you are constipated, changing your diet or adding fiber supplements may be all you need to get these hemorrhoids to heal.

If you do nothing and the hemorrhoids don't heal, occasionally they will get so large they will stick out of the anus. When this happens, they are called prolapsed hemorrhoids. In the beginning, these will pop out during defecation and retract back into the anus by themselves. If left untreated, they may need to be manually reinserted.

If you get to this point, take action. Seek some sort of treatment. Please realize these hemorrhoids are not going to heal on their own anymore. Your prolapsed hemorrhoid may remain outside the anus and not be able to be reinserted. When they get to this stage you are likely to experience pain. Despite sticking out of your rectum, they are not called external hemorrhoids.

But wait. There's more. If you fail to treat these hemorrhoids, the muscles in this area may spasm and cut off blood flow. When this happens, it's called a thrombosed hemorrhoid and the pain is insufferable. Surgery is sometimes the only remedy for hemorrhoids like these because you will want immediate pain relief even though it means cutting off the hemorrhoid with a scalpel.

Choosing the right kind of hemorrhoid treatment can be a bit confusing. Internal hemorrhoids are usually not treated by topical creams or ointments. You still have other natural remedies as well as mainstream medical options available but failing to do anything to treat hemorrhoids like these can lead to a severity of pain you never want to experience.