Hemorrhoids are a common condition among people over 50 and pregnant women, characterized by swelling and inflammation of the veins around the anus or low rectum. Hemorrhoids can be either internal, when they remain inside the anus, or external (or protruding), when they protrude through the anus outside the body, often becoming painful and irritated.

 The main cause of hemorrhoids (swollen veins) is an increased pressure in the lower rectum, due to straining to move stool, chronic constipation or diarrhea, obesity and pregnancy. Aging is an important predisposing factor. In fact, with aging, the tissue supporting the veins in the anus and rectum weakens and becomes less able to resist pressure and stretching.

 Symptoms usually vary depending on whether hemorrhoids are internal or external. Internal hemorrhoids generally don’t cause discomfort and the most common sign is a painless, mild bleeding during bowel movements. On the contrary external hemorrhoids, which are visible externally, can cause symptoms of pain and discomfort in the anal area, often accompanied by itching, burning or bleeding.

 It is important to note that anal bleeding can result from many other more serious conditions, besides hemorrhoids, including colorectal and anal cancer. That’s why people who experience blood in their stool or on the toilet tissue should always consult a doctor before assuming this is due to hemorrhoids.

How to prevent Hemorrhoids?

 Fortunately hemorrhoids are not a serious condition and are always preventable, treatable and curable. When hemorrhoids cause no or minimal discomfort, certain home remedies and lifestyle modifications can be enough to relieve the symptoms and prevent their recurrence.

These include the application of hemorrhoid creams, gels or suppositories to relieve inflammation, swelling and pain, as well as soaking several times a day in warm water for about 10 minutes. In addition, adopting a high-fiber diet, drinking plenty of fluids, getting enough exercise and, when necessary, using fiber supplements are all lifestyle habits that can help prevent the recurrence of hemorrhoids, by keeping stool soft and easy to pass. 

 In some cases, when hemorrhoid symptoms are more severe or hemorrhoids are particularly large, surgery or other procedures specifically designed to remove or reduce the size of hemorrhoids may be necessary. The least invasive procedure, which is often effective for many people, is called rubber band ligation. In this procedure the doctor places a rubber band around the base of an internal hemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply and cause it to fall off spontaneously within a few days. However, when minimally invasive procedures are not enough, the surgical removal of hemorrhoids may be required.

 The cost of medical or surgical treatment of hemorrhoids can be covered by an appropriate international health insurance plan.