Haemorrhoids
“Hospital without walls”
What are haemorrhoids?
Commonly known as “PILES”, they are a mass of small swollen blood vessels, very similar to varicose veins, but in your back passage.
Who can get haemorrhoids?
They are common in both men and women and it is thought that up to a third of the population suffer from them at any one time. They are commonly treated as a joke and can lead to much embarrassment for those that have them, although doctors and nurses treat them seriously.
What causes haemorrhoids?
An increased pressure in the veins in the anal canal (back passage) causes them. The most common cause of increased pressure is CONSTIPATION, because straining to pass a small hard stool causes the blood vessels to become congested which leads to swelling and, over a period of time, a haemorrhoid is formed. Haemorrhoids are common in pregnancy, because of an increased pressure on the circulatory system and during child birth due to straining and pushing in labour. Haemorrhoids cannot be “caught” or caused by sitting down all day or by sitting on hard, cold surfaces!
Signs and symptoms of haemorrhoids
1)BLEEDING: this is usually BRIGHT RED and you may notice splashes in the toilet bowl or staining on the toilet paper.
2)PAIN: or discomfort when you pass stool. This should quickly go away after going to the toilet.
3)ITCHING: or soreness around the back passage. This is usually due to the presence of excess mucus or slime discharging on to the skin.
To diagnose haemorrhoids the doctor or nurse will need to examine your back passage with a finger first and then a small telescope, called a Proctoscope. This is generally not painful but can often be thought of as embarrassing. Please do not worry: it is better to have your problem dealt with properly than suffering in silence.
Treatment
1)If the problem is not too severe then it may be best to simply treat the cause: i.e. the constipation and/or straining.
2)Banding: may be done if the haemorrhoids are more severe. This is done via the short telescope using an elastic band to tie off the haemorrhoid and it will be done in the out-patients department.
3)Injection: also known as “sclerotherapy”. In the out-patients department the doctor will inject a chemical, via the short telescope, that will cause the pile to shrivel up and disappear.
After both of the last treatments you may suffer some discomfort and extra bleeding for a few days. Taking paracetamol may relieve the pain and it is most important that you do not strain when going to the toilet. It may be necessary to take some medication to soften the stool for a few days.
4)Occasionally you may need an operation to remove the haemorrhoids, under a general anaesthetic. This is called a “Haemorrhoidectomy”. You will be advised by the doctor in charge of your care.