Understanding Hemorrhoids: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments & Costs

Haemorrhoids are annoying and sometimes embarrassing. They are prevalent that one in three people in the world suffering from them. In Hong Kong, half the people aged over 50 years old have haemorrhoids, and there were 26077 people hospitalised due to haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoids are a common disease in both men and women. For females, haemorrhoids frequently develop during pregnancy, especially in the third trimester and during and shortly after childbirth.

What Are Haemorrhoids?

Also known as piles or cystitis, haemorrhoids are cushions of tissue and varicose veins located in and around the rectal area. In their normal state, they are cushions that help with stool control. When they become inflamed, hypertrophied, loose or burst, the elasticity of the anus decreases, leading to prolapse and haemorrhoids.

The Difference Between Internal And External Hemorrhoids

The dentate line at the anal canal is considered as the division of internal and external haemorrhoids. The positions and symptoms caused by the piles reflect whether they belong to internal or external haemorrhoids.

Internal haemorrhoids lie inside the rectum, and the symptoms include:

• Painless bleeding during defecation
• Itching in your anal region
• Pain in the anus when haemorrhoids are pressured
• Prolapse (rectal prolapse)

External haemorrhoids are under the skin around the anus, and the symptoms include:

• Bleeding at the anus
• Pain at the anus; discomfort when sitting, walking and defecating
• Increased secretions from anal tissues with a peculiar smell

If the piles grow across the dentate line, the haemorrhoids are considered as mixed haemorrhoids.

Four Grades of Haemorrhoids

Although haemorrhoids start inside the anal canal, they prolapse out of the anus for severe cases. A doctor may assign a grade to a prolapsed haemorrhoid based on how far it sticks out.

What Causes Haemorrhoids?

The causes of haemorrhoids are numerous, but most of them are related to lifestyle habits. Eating healthy and staying active can indeed prevent haemorrhoids.

Bowel habits

• Sitting for long periods on the toilet, especially those reading and using their mobiles
• Persistent constipation and straining

Eating habits

• Having a low-fibre diet
• Eating spicy foods usually

Living habits

• Lack of exercises leads to poor digestion
• Sitting or standing for long periods pressures the rectum

Other uncontrollable factors

• Family history
• Pregnancy
• Obesity
• Ageing

Treatment Options for Hemorrhoids

For severe cases, your doctor may suggest medication or surgeries.

Medications here mostly refer to topical treatments, including an over-the-counter haemorrhoid cream and suppository containing hydrocortisone. To relieve the discomfort caused by mild haemorrhoids, you should also eat more high-fibre foods, drink more liquid (mostly water) and have a regular bowel movement.

Treatment options of haemorrhoids include:

Sources: Hong Kong Haemorrhoid Centre, HMC Hemorrhoid Centre

Fees of Hemorrhoidectomy at Private Hospitals

Below are the charges of hemorrhoidectomy for your reference.

1. Day surgery

2. Inpatient surgery

*Prices as of 11 Feb 2021

Note: Some of the plans do not include special procedures. For detailed pricing, please contact the respective hospital.

5 Prevention Tips for Hemorrhoid

As with any disease, prevention is better than cure for haemorrhoids. Below are some tips to lower your chance of having haemorrhoids.

1. Eat enough fibre-rich foods every day to prevent constipation. Every adult should take in more than 25g of dietary fibre. Here are some references, such as an apple (4.4g of fibre), a half bowl of cooked red beans (8.8g of fibres). You should have 2 servings of fruits with 3 servings of vegetables daily.
2. Develop a regular bowel habit.
3. Don’t strain when trying to pass a stool.
4. Every adult should do at least 30 minutes of moderate physical activities, such as cycling, social dancing and pacing, for preventing constipation and maintaining a healthy weight.
5. Avoid long periods of sitting and standing at work and spare time: Try to stand, take a walk or break for 5 minutes every hour.

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