Haemorrhoids, also called piles, are swollen veins in your anus and lower rectum, similar to varicose veins. Haemorrhoids can develop inside the rectum (internal haemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (external haemorrhoids).Nearly three out of four adults will have haemorrhoids from time to time. Haemorrhoids have a number of causes, but often the cause is unknown. Fortunately, effective options are available to treat haemorrhoids. Many people get relief with home treatments and lifestyle changes.
Symptoms:
Signs and symptoms of haemorrhoids usually depend on the type of haemorrhoid.
External haemorrhoids
These are under the skin around your anus. Signs and symptoms might include:
- Itching or irritation in your anal region
- Pain or discomfort
- Swelling around your anus
- Bleeding
Internal haemorrhoids
Internal haemorrhoids lie inside the rectum. You usually can't see or feel them, and they rarely cause discomfort. But straining or irritation when passing stool can cause:
- Painless bleeding during bowel movements. You might notice small amounts of bright red blood on your toilet tissue or in the toilet.
- A haemorrhoid to push through the anal opening (prolapsed or protruding haemorrhoid), resulting in pain and irritation.
Causes:
The veins around your anus tend to stretch under pressure and may bulge or swell. Haemorrhoids can develop from increased pressure in the lower rectum due to:
- Straining during bowel movements
- Sitting for long periods of time on the toilet
- Having chronic diarrhoea or constipation
- Being obese
- Being pregnant
- Having anal intercourse
- Eating a low-fibre diet
- Regular heavy lifting
Risk Factors:
As you age, your risk of haemorrhoids increases. That's because the tissues that support the veins in your rectum and anus can weaken and stretch. This can also happen when you're pregnant, because the baby's weight puts pressure on the anal region.
Complications:
Complications of haemorrhoids are rare but include:
- Anaemia. Rarely, chronic blood loss from haemorrhoids may cause anaemia, in which you don't have enough healthy red blood cells to carry oxygen to your cells.
- Strangulated haemorrhoid. If the blood supply to an internal haemorrhoid is cut off, the haemorrhoid may be "strangulated," which can cause extreme pain.
- Blood clot. Occasionally, a clot can form in a haemorrhoid (thrombosed haemorrhoid). Although not dangerous, it can be extremely painful and sometimes needs to be lanced and drained.
