Colorectal Surgery

How Serious Are Your Haemorrhoids?

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        [name] => Dr Ho Kok Sun
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    3 Mount Elizabeth
    #12-09 Mount Elizabeth Medical Centre
    Singapore 228510
    
    Tel: 6737 2778
    www.hkscolorectal.com.sg
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  • November 30, 2022
  • 1 minute read

What Are Haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, refer to swollen veins that develop inside and outside the rectum and anus. They are very common, afflicting one in three Singaporeans. Haemorrhoids are rarely serious and some may even go away on their own. However, larger and more serious ones will require medical treatment or even surgery.

Different Types of Haemorrhoids

Haemorrhoids are categorised based on their position relative to the dentate line, which is an irregular line formed by the anal valves. External haemorrhoids are found below the dentate line, while internal haemorrhoids are found above the dentate line.

Internal haemorrhoids are further classified and treated based on their degree of prolapse. These grades are:

  • Grade 1: These are haemorrhoids that do not protrude outside the anus.
  • Grade 2: These haemorrhoids prolapse outside the anal canal when straining or during a bowel movement, but will return inside the anus
  • Grade 3: These are prolapsed haemorrhoids that can be manually pushed back inside the anus (manual reduction).
  • Grade 4: These haemorrhoids are constantly prolapsed and cannot be pushed back in.

Treatments for Haemorrhoids

The type of treatment used will depend on various factors, with the main factor being the grade of the haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoid treatments can be categorised into: 

  • Conservative Treatments: This treatment is centred around reducing constipation and providing pain relief. Common recommendations include maintaining a healthy weight via a high-fibre diet and active lifestyle, taking laxatives and stool softeners as prescribed, avoiding straining during bowel movements and taking sitz baths.
  • Clinical Treatments: While small haemorrhoids normally pose little to no problem and resolve on their own, larger ones will usually require certain procedures to treat it. These include rubber band ligation, infrared photocoagulation, and sclerotherapy.
  • Surgery: One of the most effective methods to remove haemorrhoids is via surgery. In most cases, this may either be a haemorrhoidectomy (cutting the haemorrhoids) or a haemorrhoidopexy (stapling the haemorrhoids).
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