Hemorrhoids, also referred to as piles, appear as swollen veins and inflammation around the anus and may be internal or external. The risk of hemorrhoids increases with age, pregnancy, weight, constipation or chronic diarrhea, regular weightlifting, lack of fibre in the diet, and tissue weakness.

Diagnosis:

The diagnosis of hemorrhoids is based on the patient’s pathological history and clinical examination. A doctor will need to make anal and rectal endoscopies to diagnose internal hemorrhoids.

Treatment:

The treatment of hemorrhoids depends on the degree of prolapse and severity of symptoms. Some solutions that may ease pain and inflammation, include:

• Usage of warm water (sitz bath)
• Cleaning the anus gently with wet toilet paper
• Applying creams and ointments
• Applying suppositories

Symptoms usually disappear within a maximum of two weeks, but if they persist or bleeding occurs, the doctor may need to resort to surgical intervention to remove hemorrhoids.

Prevention:

To prevent hemorrhoids, it is recommended to include high-fibre foods in your diet, drink more liquids, avoid heavy weights, exercise daily and lose weight. It is also required to minimize time spent sitting on the toilet or solid surfaces to reduce pressure on blood vessels in the anus. It is also recommended to use circular pillows when sitting