Haemorrhoids are swollen veins located around the anus or in the lower rectum. About 50 percent of adults experienced the symptoms of haemorrhoids by the age of 50.

Haemorrhoids can either be internal or external. Internal haemorrhoids develop within the anus or rectum. External haemorrhoids develop outside of the anus. Haemorrhoids are also known as piles.

External haemorrhoids are the most common and most troublesome. Haemorrhoids cause pain, severe itching, and difficulty sitting. Fortunately, they are treatable.

What are the symptoms of haemorrhoids?

Symptoms of haemorrhoids include:

  • Extreme itching around the anus
  • Irritation and pain around the anus
  • Itchy or painful lump or swelling near your anus
  • Faecal leakage
  • Painful bowel movements
  • Blood on your tissue after having a bowel movement

Although haemorrhoids are painful, they aren’t life-threatening and often go away on their own without treatment. If you have them often, you may develop symptoms of anaemia, such as weakness and pale skin due to blood loss, though this is rare.

What causes haemorrhoids?

Experts aren’t sure what causes haemorrhoids to develop. Possible factors include:

  • Straining during a bowel movement
  • Complications from chronic constipation
  • Sitting for a long period of time, especially on the toilet
  • A family history of haemorrhoids

How are haemorrhoids diagnosed?

A visual examination of your anus may be enough to diagnose haemorrhoids. To confirm the diagnosis, your doctor may do a different examination to check for any abnormalities within the anus. This check is known as a digital rectal exam. During this exam, your doctor inserts a gloved and lubricated finger into your rectum. If they feel anything abnormal, they may order an additional test called a sigmoidoscopy.

A sigmoidoscopy involves your doctor using a small camera to diagnose an internal haemorrhoid. This small fibre-optic camera, called a sigmoidoscope, fits into a small tube and then inserts into your rectum. From this test, your doctor gets a clear view of the inside of your rectum so that they can examine the haemorrhoid up close.

What are the treatment options for haemorrhoids?

Treatment for haemorrhoids can occur at home or at a doctor’s office.

Pain relief

  • To minimize pain, soak in a warm tub of water for at least 10 minutes every day. You can also sit on a warm water bottle to relieve the pain of external haemorrhoids. If the pain is unbearable, use an over-the-counter medicated suppository, ointment, or cream to relieve the burning and itching
  • Fibre supplements
  • If you’re constipated, you can also use an over-the-counter fibre supplement to help soften your stool. Two common supplements of this type are psyllium and methylcellulose

Home remedies

  • Over-the-counter topical treatments, such as hydrocortisone or haemorrhoid cream, can ease your discomfort from haemorrhoids. Soaking your anus in a sitz bath for 10 to 15 minutes per day can also help
  • Practice good hygiene by cleaning your anus with warm water during a shower or bath every day. But don’t use soap, as soap can aggravate haemorrhoids. Also avoid using dry or rough toilet paper when you wipe after a bowel movement
  • Using a cold compress on your anus can help reduce haemorrhoid swelling. Pain relievers, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or aspirin can also alleviate the pain or discomfort

Medical procedures

  • If home treatments aren’t helping with your haemorrhoids, your doctor might recommend getting a rubber band ligation. This procedure involves the doctor cutting off the circulation of the haemorrhoid by placing a rubber band around it. This causes loss of circulation to the haemorrhoid, forcing it to shrink. This procedure should only be performed by a medical professional. Do not try this at home
  • If rubber band ligation isn’t an option in your case, your doctor may perform injection therapy, or sclerotherapy. In this procedure, your doctor injects a chemical into the blood vessel directly. This causes the haemorrhoid to reduce in size

Prevention

To prevent or avoid worsening haemorrhoids, avoid straining during a bowel movement. Also, try to increase your water intake. Drinking enough water can keep your stool from hardening.

Use the restroom as soon as you feel a bowel movement coming on to prevent haemorrhoids from developing. Exercise regularly to prevent becoming constipated, and don’t sit for long periods, especially on hard surfaces like concrete or tile.

Consuming foods that are high in dietary fibre can minimize the risk of developing haemorrhoids in the future.

Good dietary fibre sources include whole wheat, brown rice, oatmeal, pears, carrots, buckwheat and bran. Dietary fibre helps create bulk in the intestines, which softens the stool, making it easier to pass.