Suffering in Secret: When Hemorrhoids Become a Torment

It itches, it burns, and sometimes there’s blood in the stool. Millions of people are familiar with these symptoms, yet hardly anyone talks about them. Hemorrhoids remain a taboo subject—completely unjustifiably so. After all, almost everyone has them, and when they cause discomfort, there is effective relief available.

Everyone has hemorrhoids. They are well-supplied cushions of blood vessels at the opening of the rectum. Together with the sphincter muscle, they ensure that the rectum remains “sealed.” Only when these cushions enlarge, become inflamed, or protrude from the anus is the condition referred to as hemorrhoids.

Causes: What causes the symptoms?

Modern lifestyles play a major role in their development. Chronic constipation, straining during bowel movements, a diet low in fiber, as well as a lack of exercise and being overweight increase pressure in the abdominal cavity and contribute to the enlargement of these vascular cushions. Pregnancy or a congenital weakness of the connective tissue can also be triggers.

The Four Stages of the Condition

Doctors classify hemorrhoids into four grades. This classification is crucial for choosing the appropriate treatment:

• Grade 1: The hemorrhoids are only slightly enlarged and not visible from the outside.
• Grade 2: They protrude briefly when straining but retract on their own.
• Grade 3: The hemorrhoids protrude and must be pushed back into place with a finger.
• Grade 4: The hemorrhoids remain permanently outside the anus and can no longer be pushed back in.

Why You Shouldn’t Wait

Many people treat themselves for years with over-the-counter ointments before seeing a proctologist. But the sooner you see a doctor, the less invasive the treatment will be. In the early stages, dietary changes, special ointments, or minor, painless procedures such as sclerotherapy or rubber band ligation are often sufficient.

It is only in advanced stages (Grades 3 and 4) that surgery is often unavoidable. But even here, medicine has made great strides. Modern procedures, such as the stapler method, are significantly less painful and allow for faster healing than traditional open surgeries.

It’s important to note: Blood in the stool should always be evaluated by a doctor to rule out other conditions. Don’t be embarrassed—for proctologists, this condition is part of their daily practice.

Find comprehensive information here about symptoms, diagnosis, and specialists in hemorrhoids.