Haemorrhoids are the inflammation of the veins at the end of the digestive tract, the rectum and the anus. It is a disease that can appear in people older than 20 years old, mainly between 45 and 65 years old.
The main causes are straining to pass stools, constipation, obesity, pregnancy, ageing, overuse of laxatives, diarrhoea and occupational factors.
They manifest with a feeling of burning in the rectum, pain, light bleeding when defecating, persistent anal moisture and a feeling of having something protruding from the anus.
Diagnosis is clinical, through questioning and an anal examination. Diagnostic tests with a camera may be used to confirm the diagnosis for internal haemorrhoids.
Treatment involves good anal hygiene (avoiding excessive rubbing), sitz baths, eating a diet rich in fibre, avoiding a sedentary lifestyle, obesity and some foods. Surgical treatment may be required for cases with severe pain or major bleeding. Some foods should be avoided: irritating foods, condiments, onion, tomato sauce, coffee, chocolate, black tea and alcohol.
- Ronald Bleday, Elizabeth Breen. Hemorrhoids: Clinical manifestations and diagnosis. UpToDate Aug 15, 2016.
- Ronald Bleday, Elizabeth Breen. Treatment of hemorrhoids. UpToDate Jul 06, 2015.
- Rivadeneira DE, Steele SR, Ternent C, et al. Practice parameters for the management of hemorrhoids (revised 2010). Dis Colon Rectum 2011; 54:1059.
- Riss S, Weiser FA, Schwameis K, et al. The prevalence of hemorrhoids in adults. Int J Colorectal Dis 2012; 27:215.
- Mounsey AL, Halladay J, Sadiq TS. Hemorrhoids. Am Fam Physician 2011; 84:204.
- Rizwan Ahmed, Susan L Gearhart. Diverticulosis y trastornos anorrectales frecuentes. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19º Edición. 1976:1977.
- E Moreno-Osset, M Mínguez Pérez, A Benages Martínez. Enfermedades del recto y ano. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen 1. 12º edición. 197:198.
