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You may think haemorrhoids are a problem reserved for people who are older. In truth, haemorrhoids affect just about any healthy person, regardless of age.
Haemorrhoids (also known as piles) are swollen veins found in the lower rectum. They are also differentiated by their location; internal haemorrhoids and external haemorrhoids.
Internal haemorrhoids are usually painless but tend to lead to bleeding, while external haemorrhoids may cause pain.
“Haemorrhoids, commonly known as piles, are abnormally engorged and swollen blood vessels in the anus and lower rectum. They can cause discomfort, itchiness, or pain and, in cases where they swell up with blood clots, severe pain. The more dangerous complication of piles is anal bleeding.” – Dr Ganesh Ramalingam
Although haemorrhoids are rarely dangerous, they can be a recurrent and painful intrusion. Fortunately, there’s a lot we can do about haemorrhoids.
Here are 8 of your top burning questions about haemorrhoids answered.
Haemorrhoids can be a common occurrence for anyone. You may have experienced some itching in the rectum at some point in your life, and this irritation may go away in several days without any medical treatment.
As with most people, haemorrhoids, while painful, are usually not a cause for concern and go away independently.
However, if the pain or rectal bleeding that you are experiencing is severe or the haemorrhoids are recurring, you are advised to seek an opinion with a doctor to assess your condition and recommend treatment.
Haemorrhoids can often make sitting uncomfortable and painful. As a result, you might have wondered about the best way to relieve this discomfort.
One recommendation that you can adopt, where possible, is to avoid sitting at all. Laying down on your side instead would be a better option to relieve the pain. In addition, this helps to avoid exerting pressure on the anal or rectal region while you are resting.
While there are no known causes for haemorrhoids, certain factors may promote the development of the condition. As such, in order to prevent developing haemorrhoids, you should:
However, you should also avoid:
It is also essential to recognise that haemorrhoids and other anal diseases may share similar symptoms. For a proper diagnosis, consider speaking to a doctor for an examination.
There are two types of haemorrhoids: Internal Haemorrhoids & External Haemorrhoids.
External haemorrhoids, which develop under the skin around the anus, are the most uncomfortable because the overlying skin becomes irritated and erodes. If a blood clot forms inside an external haemorrhoid, the pain can be sudden and severe.
You might feel or see a lump around the anus. The clot usually dissolves, leaving excess skin (a skin tag), which may itch or become irritated. In addition, you might have experienced seeing blood on the toilet paper or in your stools.
Internal haemorrhoids, on the other hand, develop in the lower rectum. They are typically painless even though you may be experiencing rectal (or anal) bleeding. Internal haemorrhoids may prolapse, causing them to protrude beyond the anus, which can be problematic.
When a haemorrhoid prolapses, mucus and tiny stool particles may collect in the deposit, causing an irritation, when left untreated, the internal prolapsed haemorrhoid can lead to severe irritation, bleeding, itching and pain.
Not all haemorrhoids require immediate medical treatment. Depending on the severity, you may consider different options to manage the condition.
To minimise pain from an external haemorrhoid, soaking in a warm tub of water for at least 10 minutes a day may be a considered option.
Our doctor may recommend purchasing an over-the-counter medicated suppository, ointment, or cream to relieve the burning and itching if the pain is unbearable.
Practising good hygiene by cleaning your anus with warm water during a shower or bath every day can improve the condition. When washing the anus, you do not have to use soap as some soaps can aggravate the haemorrhoid.
Should the initial course of management be unsuccessful, our doctor may recommend getting a rubber band ligation. This procedure involves cutting off the blood circulation of the haemorrhoid by placing a rubber band around it. The loss of blood circulation forces the haemorrhoid to shrink.
For severe cases of haemorrhoids, our doctor may recommend a surgery called haemorrhoidectomy. A haemorrhoidectomy involves removing excess tissues causing the bleeding and protrusion, effectively eliminating the haemorrhoid(s).
A haemorrhoid should never be popped on your own, as doing so may lead to severe and painful complications.
Without proper management, a popped haemorrhoid can lead to more pain, complications, and discomfort. If not managed well, it can also leave you at risk of developing a potentially severe infection or damaging delicate skin tissue around the anal region.
Moreover, as they are located in a region that is difficult to be seen, attempting to pop a haemorrhoid yourself can make it easy to injure the delicate tissue surrounding your anal area accidentally.
Your anal site is exposed to lots of bacteria from both bowel movements and the skin. Therefore, an open wound in this area, including the type that would result from popping a haemorrhoid, is very vulnerable to infection.
While managing your haemorrhoid, it is essential not to attempt to self-diagnose as a delay in the proper diagnosis may leave you unaware of other more serious conditions such as anal cancer.
Haemorrhoids are commonly linked to constipation due to increased straining during bowel movement. So apart from increasing your water intake to loosen your stool, foods that are low in fibre should be avoided, especially if you are suffering from chronic constipation.
Foods that are low in fibre or have no fibre include cheeses, meat, ice cream and processed food. Instead, switch up your diet and introduce higher fibre food products such as wholegrain food, beans, fruits and vegetables.
While the average Singaporean consumes only 13g of dietary fibre per day, you should aim to consume the recommended amount of 30g of fibre per day.
Walking and other cardiovascular exercises are recommended for haemorrhoid management and prevention. As you exercise, blood flow to the body is stimulated through cardiovascular activities, causing more blood to be pumped through the intestinal muscles.
This creates strong contractions in the digestive tract, lowering the time taken for food to move through the large intestine. The amount of water your body absorbs from the stool is also reduced, ensuring that your stools do not turn hard and dry.
You don’t need an elaborate exercise plan to benefit from exercising. Just spending 10 to 15 minutes several times a day can help your body and digestive system achieve optimal digestive functions.
Haemorrhoids can prove to be a nuisance for people who are suffering from them for a long time. When left untreated, the discomfort may even affect your daily activities.
While changing your diet and adopting an active lifestyle can prevent the condition, some medical intervention may be required for people who frequently experience haemorrhoids.
If you are bothered by your condition, schedule an assessment with our doctor to better understand how you can manage and treat your condition. Contact us directly via WHATSAPP or call our CLINIC for assistance.
G&L Surgical Clinic will do our best to provide you with an estimate of your out-of-pocket expenses before your procedure. With a comprehensive financing service, we endeavour to assist you in finding the most suitable financing option to enjoy a seamless and pleasant experience. Please do not hesitate to contact us with any questions. We are here to help you get the care you need.
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