Originally Posted by BigDyl

I thought hemmoroids were veins which protrududed from a weaker anal wall, and were inherited genetically?

Originally Posted by DOMS

From Wikipedia (warning, the original page has some very graphic photos):

"The causes of hemorrhoids include genetic predisposition (weak rectal vein walls and/or valves), straining during bowel movements, and too much pressure on the rectal veins due to poor muscle tone or poor posture: Hemorrhoids are very rare in nations where people squat to defecate [1] and it has been shown that less straining is required to defecate in the squatting position. Constipation, chronic diarrhea, poor bathroom habits (sitting for unusually long periods of time [e.g. reading on the toilet] or excessive cleaning attempts), pregnancy, postponing bowel movements, and fiber-deprived diet can also contribute. Insufficient hydration (caused by not drinking enough water, or by drinking too much diuretic liquid such as coffee or cola) can cause a hard stool, which can lead to hemorrhoidal irritation.
An excess of lactic acid in the stool, a product of excessive consumption of milk products such as cheese, can cause irritation and a reduction of consumption can bring relief.
Additional factors that can cause hemorrhoids (mostly by increasing rectal vein pressure), especially for those with a genetic predisposition, are obesity and a sedentary lifestyle."

Originally Posted by fufu

Ugh, the first time I got one I searched them on internet. The pictures scared the shit out of me! They were gruesome. Any time you search for pictures of certain infections, diseases, or really any physical problem, they show the most disgusting grotesque pictures possible of them.

Originally Posted by Trouble

*burst of laughter*

Maniclion, you are a wild man.

To add to DOMs informative post:

A common cause is constipation that is a side effect of use of opiates and certain other pain meds that block the beta adrenergic receptors that cause peristalsis (natural colon smooth muscle contraction that forces digestive matter down the instestinal tract). These pain meds also change the rate of water migration into digestive matter, causing it to become, well, immobile and densified, the technical term is impaction.