Hemorrhoids (Translation test)

Hemorrhoids are swollen blood vessels on the inside or outside of the anus. This swelling is the result of increased pressure on the veins near the anus. This can be caused by:

• Holding the stool for too long.
• To be pressed hard while defecating.
• Frequent and violent coughing.
• A pregnancy or childbirth.
• Standing for too long.
• Overweight.
• Lack of exercise.
• A lack of fiber in your diet.

In general, hemorrhoids are harmless, but it can cause unpleasant symptoms. Anyone can get them, but they are most common in people over the age of 50.

What symptoms do I have with hemorrhoids?

With hemorrhoids, you may suffer:

• Itching near your anus.
• Blood loss. While wiping your buttocks or spontaneously.
• Mucus from your anus.
• Burning around your anus.
• Pain and pressure around your anus. This is what you will get when the hemorrhoid sinks out.
• The feeling that something is coming out of your anus.
• Difficulty wiping your buttocks.
• Difficulty sitting.

What can I do myself in case of hemorrhoids?

To prevent or remedy hemorrhoids, it is wise to:

• Drink 1 to 2 liters of water every day. This will soften your stool and therefore you don’t have to push as hard. This puts less pressure on your anus, so you have less chance of getting complaints.
• Plenty of exercise. Walk or cycle for at least half an hour every day.
• Go to the toilet immediately if you have to. Doesn’t hold your stool.
• Eat high in fiber. This keeps the stool soft.
• Cut down on caffeine, tea and soda. These substances cause more itching and irritation around the anus.
• Take a bath regularly. The warm water relaxes your anus and relieves pain and burning.
• Use a wet cloth when wiping your buttocks. Moist toilet paper, on the other hand, is not recommended, because it often contains perfume. This in turn can cause more irritation and itching.
• Use a remedy for hemorrhoids. Examples include: lidocaine zinc sulfate cream, petroleum jelly cetomacrogol cream, zinc oxide suppositories, and lidocaine petroleum jelly cream. These remedies are available at pharmacies and drugstores. Before using these medicines, get good advice and read the package leaflet.

You can also reduce the pain by gently pushing the hemorrhoid that has sunk in.

When should I go to the doctor for hemorrhoids?

Most of the time, hemorrhoids go away on their own. Sometimes the symptoms do not disappear and you should contact your GP if:

• You have doubts about the cause of the blood or mucus loss. This does not necessarily mean that you have hemorrhoids. It can also be caused by another condition.
• The pain gets worse or doesn’t go away.
• In addition to the above-mentioned complaints, you also have other complaints that you are concerned about.

The GP will then determine the cause of the complaints. In case of serious or long-lasting complaints, they will refer you to the hospital. There you can have surgery on your hemorrhoids. There are several methods for this, such as:

• The HAL/RAR operation. The blood vessels in the anus are closed and the bulges are pulled inwards. This method can make you feel like you need to go to the bathroom more often in the first few days after surgery. This will disappear on its own.
• A rubber band ligation. Then a small rubber band is placed around the anus on the inside of the anus. As a result, the hemorrhoid can no longer sink down and dies after a few days. The rubber band then comes out through your stool.