Hemorrhoidal Disease

Hemoroid (Basür)

What You Need to Know About Hemorrhoidal Disease (Piles)

Hemorrhoidal disease, commonly known as piles, is a common health problem that affects a significant portion of the population at some point in their lives. Anatomically, hemorrhoids are structures found in every healthy individual and function as vascular cushions in the anus. These structures facilitate the controlled passage of gas and stool during bowel movements. However, if these cushions swell, enlarge, prolapse, or bleed for various reasons, they become a condition known as "hemorrhoidal disease," and this can lead to symptoms.

Many factors contribute to the development of the condition. Among the most significant causes are chronic constipation and prolonged straining on the toilet, a low-fiber diet, inadequate fluid intake, a sedentary lifestyle, excess weight, pregnancy, and childbirth. Furthermore, the loss of tissue elasticity associated with advanced age can also make hemorrhoids more prone to prolapse. Many of these risk factors increase pressure on the veins, causing hemorrhoidal lumps to expand and prolapse.

Symptoms of hemorrhoids can vary depending on whether they are internal (inside the rectum) or external (under the skin around the anus). The most common symptom of internal hemorrhoids is bright red blood, which is usually painless and appears on toilet paper or in the toilet bowl. In advanced cases, the hemorrhoidal nodes may protrude from the anus (prolapse) and retract spontaneously, or they may require manual pushing. External hemorrhoids, on the other hand, are more likely to present with swelling, pain, itching, and irritation. Thrombosed (clotted) external hemorrhoids, in particular, present with an extremely painful and hard swelling.

Treatment of hemorrhoidal disease is planned according to the stage of the disease and the severity of symptoms. In the early stages, lifestyle changes (increasing fiber intake, drinking plenty of water, regular exercise) and improving toilet habits are generally recommended. Warm water sitz baths and topical creams/suppositories can help relieve symptoms. If symptoms persist despite these measures, in-office procedures such as rubber band ligation, sclerotherapy, and infrared coagulation may be performed. For more advanced or large hemorrhoids, surgical interventions (hemorrhoidectomy or stapled hemorrhoidopexy) may be necessary. It's important to remember that rectal bleeding is not always due to hemorrhoids; therefore, it's crucial to consult a general surgeon for diagnosis and a proper treatment plan.

Important Notice: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.