Hemorrhoides (piles), are swollen and inflamed veins in the anus and lower rectum. They result from straining during bowel movements, low fiber diet, aging, obesity or during pregnancy and may be located inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids), or under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids). Hemorrhoids are common ailments. By age 50, about half of adults have had to deal with the itching, discomfort and bleeding that can signal the presence of hemorrhoids.

Fortunately, many effective options are available to treat hemorrhoids. Most people can get relief from symptoms by using home treatments and making lifestyle changes.

Your doctor may be able to see if you have external hemorrhoids simply by looking. Tests and procedures to diagnose internal hemorrhoids may include digital examination of the anal canal and rectum for abnormalities or visual inspection of the anal canal and rectum by an anoscope, proctoscope or sigmoidoscope. A more extensive examination of the entire colon can be done by colonoscopy if the age is over 50, there are signs suggesting another digestive system disease or risk factors for colorectal cancer.

If the hemorrhoids produce mild discomfort, creams containing lidocaine or hydrocortisone can relieve pain and itching, at least temporarily. Drinking plenty of water, exercising, high fiber diet, cold bath, oral pain killers are very helpful. For persistent bleeding or painful hemorrhoids, minimally invasive procedures are recommended at the beginning. These treatments can be done at the office and include rubber band ligation to cut off the hemorrhoid’s circulation, injection sclerotherapy by aethoxysclerol with little or no pain, or finally coagulation by laser. The laser hemorrhoidectomy causes small, bleeding, internal hemorrhoids to harden and shrivel.

If other procedures haven't been successful or there are large hemorrhoids, surgery to the excessive tissue that causes bleeding can be performed.