Also called piles – are clumps of enlarged blood vessels in the anus and lower rectum. They can be caused by straining to open the bowel or due to increased pressure on the veins during pregnancy. Internal haemorrhoids develop inside the rectum, whereas external haemorrhoids develop under the skin around the anus.
Sometimes there are no symptoms but at other times haemorrhoids can cause itching, discomfort and bleeding.
Straining to open the bowel can sometimes push an internal haemorrhoid out through your anus. This is known as a protruding or prolapsed haemorrhoid. It can cause pain and irritation.
Thrombosed haemorrhoids occur when blood pools in an external haemorrhoid causing a clot. These can be very painful, causing swelling and inflammation.
Haemorrhoids are very common – estimates suggest that almost three out of four adults will develop them at some time in their lives.
- Pregnancy
- Obesity
- Straining to open the bowel
They are not normally dangerous although rarely they can cause anaemia if there is chronic blood loss.
You should see a doctor if haemorrhoids start to cause bleeding, especially if you are over 40. This bleeding may actually be a sign of other more serious conditions, including colorectal cancer.
Most haemorrhoids can be treated effectively with over-the-counter remedies and lifestyle changes, such as eating more fibre. If you experience rectal bleeding, your doctor will carry out tests to rule out more serious conditions.
Non-surgical
- Over-the-counter medications
- Lifestyle changes
- Changes in defecatory dynamics
- Banding
Surgical
- THD
- Ligasure haemorrhoidectomy
- Formal haemorrhoidectomy