Haemorrhoid Surgery

What are haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids, commonly called piles, are swollen veins inside or around the anal passage. These enlarged blood vessels become inflamed and engorged, causing discomfort, bleeding, and irritation. Factors such as constipation, prolonged sitting, pregnancy, or heavy lifting can heighten the risk of developing haemorrhoids.

Haemorroids-Surgery-Treatment-Sydney

Common Symptoms of Haemorrhoids

If you experience any of the following symptoms, you may have haemorrhoids:

  • Bleeding: Bright red blood on toilet paper or in the toilet after a bowel movement
  • Second degree haemorrhoids bleed and stick out of the anus when you pass a bowel motion. Once the bowel motion is over, they disappear back inside the anus by themselves
  • Third degree haemorrhoids must be physically pushed back inside the anus after passing a bowel motion. They may be painful if they are large
  • Fourth degree haemorrhoids are larger lumps that stick out of the anus permanently and cannot be placed back inside. The blood inside these haemorrhoids may clot and the lumps can become very painful.

What causes haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids are usually caused by chronic constipation (having hard bowel motions that are difficult to pass). Constipation causes you to strain when you go to the toilet. This puts pressure on the blood vessels in the anus, making them swell. Other things can increase the chance you will get haemorrhoids:

  • ageing
  • being overweight
  • having diarrhoea
  • spending long periods of time on the toilet
  • regularly lifting heavy objects

Haemorrhoids are particularly common during pregnancy. This is because constipation is quite common in pregnancy, but also:

  • the growing baby places pressure on the abdomen
  • there is more blood flowing through the body
  • Progesterone hormone produced during pregnancy enlarges the blood vessels

These haemorrhoids often disappear after pregnancy and might not need treatment. Haemorrhoids may also be more common in some families than in others.

How are haemorrhoids diagnosed?

Diagnosis of haemorrhoids usually involves an examination of the anal passage to look for any swollen blood vessels. Your doctor may conduct one of the following tests.