Haemorrhoids - Causes, Symptoms, Treatment, Prevention

Haemorrhoids (also known as piles) are swollen and inflamed veins in the rectum or anus. Typical symptoms are pain, itching and bleeding around the anal area. Treatment and prevention will often involve non-prescription ointments, other home treatments and lifestyle changes. Haemorrhoids that don’t clear up may require a visit to your doctor and, in some cases, minor surgery.

Causes

Haemorrhoids are caused by an increase in pressure in the lower rectum from: 

• straining during bowel movements
• sitting for long periods of time, especially on the toilet
• chronic (long lasting) constipation or diarrhoea
• being overweight or obese
• pregnancy
• anal intercourse
• low-fibre diet
• spinal cord injury
• poor posture.

Haemorrhoids are common and occur in most people at some stage during their lives. They tend to occur more frequently later in life due to age-related weakening and stretching of the tissues supporting the veins in the rectum. 

Signs and symptoms

Symptoms often depend on whether a haemorrhoid is located on the inside or outside of the body. 

Internal haemorrhoids lie inside the rectum and usually do not cause discomfort. However, straining or irritation when passing a stool can damage the surface of a haemorrhoid causing it to bleed. Sometimes, straining can push an internal haemorrhoid through the anal opening resulting in a protruding or prolapsed haemorrhoid, which can cause pain and irritation. 

External haemorrhoids lie under the skin around the anus. When irritated they can itch or bleed. Blood can pool inside an external haemorrhoid and form a clot, which causes severe pain, swelling, and inflammation.

Signs and symptoms of haemorrhoids may include: 

• pain or discomfort, especially when sitting
• pain during bowel movements
• itching or irritation around the anal region
• bright red blood on your stools, toilet paper or in the toilet bowl
• swelling around the anus
• one or more lumps near the anus, which might be tender or painful.

Bleeding during bowel movements is the most common sign of haemorrhoids. Rectal bleeding can, however, indicate a more serious condition, such as bowel cancer or anal cancer.  You should consult your doctor if your haemorrhoids:

• bleed frequently or excessively
• do not respond to self-treatment
• if haemorrhoid symptoms have been accompanied by an obvious change in bowel habits
• if you are passing black or maroon-coloured stools
• blood clots have formed
• blood is mixed in with the stool.

Diagnosis

 A visual inspection should allow your physician to see if you have external haemorrhoids. 

Tests and procedures to diagnose internal haemorrhoids may include: 

• a digital rectal examination in which your doctor inserts a lubricated gloved finger into your rectum to feel for anything unusual, such as growths
• a visual inspection of the inside of your anal canal and rectum using a viewing device such as an anoscope, proctoscope or sigmoidscope
• a colonoscopy may be performed to do a more extensive examination of your entire bowel (colon) if your signs and symptoms suggest that you might have another digestive system disease, or if you have risk factors for colorectal cancer

Treatment

Most cases of haemorrhoids can be self-treated. More serious or repeat cases may require medication or a surgical procedure. Haemorrhoids can recur after treatment; hence, they are controlled rather than cured. 

Self-treatment 

Home treatment is often all that is required to relieve mild pain, swelling, and inflammation associated with haemorrhoids. Home treatments include: 

• use of non-prescription haemorrhoid ointments, creams, suppositories, or pads containing a mild corticosteroid, e.g. hydrocortisone, or witch hazel extract
• soak the anal area in warm water for 10 to 15 minutes two or three times a day
• use stool softeners, which help stools to be passed more easily
• ensure that the anal area is kept clean by bathing or showering daily – soap is not necessary and the affected area can be dried with a hair dryer
• use moist towelettes or wet toilet paper (that do not contain perfume or alcohol) rather than dry toilet paper, to help keep the anal area clean after passing a stool
• applying ice packs or cold compresses on the affected area can relieve swelling
• taking oral pain medication, such as paracetamol or ibuprofen, can help to relieve discomfort.

Non-surgical and surgical procedures 

For an external haemorrhoid in which a clot has formed, prompt relief can be obtained from your doctor performing a simple incision to remove the clot. 

For persistent bleeding or painful haemorrhoids, the following non-surgical procedures to destroy the haemorrhoid can be performed in a doctor’s office:

• rubber band ligation, involves using a rubber band to cut off the blood supply to the haemorrhoid causing it to shrivel and die
• injection (sclerotherapy), involves injecting a substance into the haemorrhoid to make it harden and shrink
• laser or infrared coagulation, which is a type of heat treatment that causes the haemorrhoid to harden and shrivel.
• If non-surgical procedures are not successful or if the haemorrhoids are particularly large, one of the following surgical procedures may be necessary:
• haemorrhoidectomy - removal of a haemorrhoid with a scalpel or laser
• haemorrhoid stapling - removal of a haemorrhoid with a special staple gun that also inserts a ring of staples to close the wound and prevent bleeding. 

Prevention

Keeping your stools soft is the best way to prevent haemorrhoids from occurring. The following steps can help to prevent haemorrhoids from occurring and reduce symptoms of existing haemorrhoids:

• eat high-fibre foods
• drink plenty of fluids
• consider using fibre supplements
• avoid straining when on the toilet
• go to the toilet as soon as you feel the urge
• get plenty of exercise
• avoid sitting for long periods.