Haemorrhoids, or piles, are natural cushions of tissue and blood vessels in the anus and lower rectum. They help with stool control by getting smaller to allow waste to pass through.
Haemorrhoids are very commonβaround half of us will experience them at some point in our lives. Sometimes, they go away on their own, or with a few minor lifestyle changes; other times, they require medical attention. Haemorrhoids can develop internally inside the rectum or externally down the anus. We grade internal haemorrhoids by size and severity:. Haemorrhoids result from increased anal or abdominal pressure, which causes the tiny veins inside the piles to swell like varicose veins.
A lot of things can create this additional pressure, especially:. Diet can be a major factor as well, since constipation and haemorrhoids are frequently linked.
Not everyone who develops haemorrhoids has symptoms, and not everyone who has symptoms gets them all the time. Possible symptoms may include:. Warm sitz baths or ice packs can alleviate rectal pain and swelling, and there are a variety of creams and ointments on the market as well. Make sure to keep your bottom clean and dry, and avoid wiping too hard.
After injecting a small amount of anaesthetic, your doctor will insert a very thin probe into the haemorrhoid and apply targeted radiofrequency energy. The heat from the radio waves causes the pile to shrivel up and scar, but without damaging the healthy tissue around it. The whole procedure takes just a few minutes, and most people can return to their usual activities the next day.
