Haemorrhoids

What are haemorrhoids?

Your anus is lined with spongy tissue which helps it to close after defecation (emptying your bowels). These tissues are filled and supplied with tiny blood vessels. 

Haemorrhoids, or piles as they are commonly known, happen when these spongy tissues enlarge and form small, round discoloured lumps. They are uncomfortable for the individual concerned and can often lead to bleeding. They are usually around the anus, or inside the anal canal (the short muscular tube connecting the rectum to the anus) where they may drop down and need to be gently pushed back in.  

Who gets haemorrhoids?

Anyone can suffer from haemorrhoids, but there are certain factors which usually increase the likelihood of you developing them. Generally they are most common in the 45 – 65 age group. They’re more prevalent amongst pregnant women, where increased pressure on the pelvic blood vessels can cause them to enlarge, leading to haemorrhoids. 

Other factors that can increase the risk of developing haemorrhoids include:

• constipation or passing hard or large stools (faeces) which can cause straining when you’re using the toilet
• diarrhoea
• obesity or being overweight
• age (as you get older, the body’s supporting tissues naturally become weaker)
• having a family history of haemorrhoids
• regularly lifting heavy objects
• persistent cough or repeated vomiting
• sitting down for long periods

How common are haemorrhoids?

Although we can’t be too precise as to how common piles are because many are small and never seen by a clinician, it’s estimated that up to 50% of people in the UK alone will at some point suffer from piles to one degree or another . In the US around 4% of the population report suffering from haemorrhoids at any given time , and it’s been estimated to affect 4.4% of the population worldwide .