What are hemorrhoids?
No one likes to talk about hemorrhoids. Yet most of us suffer from them from time to time – three out of four adults experience anal hemorrhoids, or piles, at some point in their lives. 1
We all have hemorrhoids, those small cushion-shaped clusters of veins at the junction of the rectum and anus that help regulate bowel and bladder movements. Hemorrhoids only become a real problem when pressure on the veins increases and they become swollen and inflamed. Hemorrhoids, or piles, are essentially varicose veins of the rectum. Hemorrhoids are usually harmless but can cause irritating symptoms such as itching, bleeding, and anal pain, and can be an emotional burden. Yet only 4 percent of people who experience symptoms of hemorrhoids seek help and 43 percent find it difficult to talk to their doctor about it. 2,3,4
Who gets hemorrhoids?
Anal hemorrhoids are a condition that affects men and women equally. In fact, hemorrhoids are relatively common in children. 5 Pregnant women are at greater risk of developing hemorrhoids, partly because hormones relax the veins and partly because the weight of the baby puts pressure on the anal area. Hemorrhoids affect 25-30 percent of pregnant women, and countless more develop hemorrhoids after the baby is born. 6
The risk of developing hemorrhoids also increases with age because the tissues that support the veins in the rectum and prevent them from bulging weaken and shred over time. Once the tissue begins to “sag,” or sag, blood flow is restricted. This results in trauma and swelling of the veins, commonly known as a hemorrhoid. By the age of 50, half of all adults will have had an anal hemorrhoid at some point. 7,8,9,10
Different types of anal hemorrhoids
There are two types of hemorrhoids: internal hemorrhoids and external hemorrhoids. Internal hemorrhoids are located in the rectum and are supported by connective tissue. They are rarely painful, but may bleed when you strain to defecate. Sometimes they even push out of the anus. External hemorrhoids are usually asymptomatic, but may develop blood clots that can quickly become irritating and painful. When they eventually heal and disappear, external hemorrhoids usually leave behind skin growths (marisca). 11,12,13
How do you get rid of hemorrhoids?
If you are experiencing symptoms such as anal pain or itching and bleeding from the anus and suspect that you have hemorrhoids, it is a good idea to contact a healthcare professional for a diagnosis. Fortunately, hemorrhoids are rarely dangerous and are relatively easy to treat with ointments available at your local pharmacy. Remember, your chances of getting help increase exponentially if you start treatment early. The longer you delay, the worse the problem becomes.
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References
- www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/hemorrhoids/symptoms-causes/syc-20360268
- Hemorrhoids and what to do about them. Harvard Health Publishing. [Online] 2019 Feb 6. [Accessed 2019/06/07].
- Ravindranath GG, Rahul BG. Prevalence and risk factors of hemorrhoids: a study in a semi-urban centre. Int Surg J. 2018 Feb;5(2):496-499.
- Sandler RS, Peery AF. Rethinking What We Know About Hemorrhoids. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019;17:8–15.
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6572969/
- Postpartum hemorrhoids. BabyCenter [Internet]. April 2017 [Online] Accessed 2019/08/02.
- www.nhs.uk/conditions/pregnancy-and-baby/piles-haemorrhoids-pregnant/
- www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2278306/
- Ravindranath GG, Rahul BG. Prevalence and risk factors of hemorrhoids: a study in a semi-urban centre. Int Surg J. 2018 Feb;5(2):496-499.
- Sandler RS, Peery AF. Rethinking What We Know About Hemorrhoids. Clin Gastroenterol Hepatol 2019;17:8–15.
- Abramowitz L. The Diagnosis and Management of Haemorrhoidal Disease from a Global Perspective. Aliment Pharmacol Ther. May 2010;31(1):1-58.
- Mott T, Latimer K, Edwards C. Hemorrhoids: Diagnosis and Treatment Options. Am Fam Physician. 2018;97(3):172-179
- Acheson AG, Scholefield JH. Management of haemorrhoids. BMJ 2008;336:380-383.