^

Health

A
A
A

Myths and truth about hemorrhoids

 
, medical expert
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
 
Fact-checked
х

All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.

We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.

If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.

There are many myths about hemorrhoids, its causes, symptoms, treatment. Finding out about them, and why these myths do not work, is the right step towards understanding and treating hemorrhoids.

trusted-source[1], [2], [3]

1st myth: hemorrhoids arise because a person sits a lot

True. Hemorrhoids does not occur because a person is sitting for a long time. By itself, the seat does not cause hemorrhoids. Hemorrhoids cones appear only when, as a result of an irregular posture or a long stay in one position or another, venous blood flow is disturbed in the veins located near the rectum. And then hemorrhoidal bumps appear.

trusted-source[4]

2nd myth: hemorrhoid bleeding is inevitable

True. No, bleeding with hemorrhoids is not always present. It bothers a person only when bright red blood flows from the arteries, it can flow in a stream or in separate droplets. In addition, hemorrhoids can be external and internal. When internal bleeding may or may not be, or it is imperceptible.

trusted-source

3rd myth: pain in the anus denotes hemorrhoids

True. No, pain in the anus is not always a sign of hemorrhoids. Causes of pain can be anal fissures or constipation, or inflammation, it is not necessarily hemorrhoidal bumps.

trusted-source[5], [6]

6th myth: hemorrhoids occur due to personal hygiene failure

True. No, hygiene does not affect the occurrence of hemorrhoids. But it is especially needed when hemorrhoids have already appeared and are bothering a person with pain and discomfort. Then you need to especially carefully monitor the purity of the anus, so that the feces do not irritate him. And also to effectively deal with itching, pain and burning in the anus, caused by the action of residues of feces.

trusted-source[7]

The 7th Myth: Examination of a doctor for hemorrhoids can cause severe pain.

True. If the doctor did everything correctly, he smeared the gloves with a special lubricant and examined the patient even using palpation. Inspection may cause pain in hemorrhoids, when there are anal fissures, tears of the skin of the anus, or hemorrhoid prolapse, which is pinched by the anal ring.

8th myth: hemorrhoids can turn into cancer

True. With hemorrhoids, swollen veins of the rectum expand, while taking into account that cancer is caused by cells that go out of control. Hemorrhoids cannot cause colon or rectal cancer (or colorectal cancer). In some rare cases, however, people with colorectal cancer are more susceptible to hemorrhoids. This is because additional pressure is obtained on the veins of the rectum when the tumor grows.

The symptoms of hemorrhoids can be very similar to rectal cancer, therefore. Please consult your doctor if you have the following symptoms: blood in the stool and rectal bleeding, as well as rectal pain.

trusted-source[8]

9th myth: black pepper can cause hemorrhoids

True. When black pepper is consumed in moderation, it cannot cause hemorrhoids. In some people, however, spicy foods can create rectal itching and irritation.

trusted-source[9], [10]

Myth 10: Sitting on cold concrete, floor, or sidewalk can cause hemorrhoids.

Myth 10: Sitting on cold concrete, floor, or sidewalk can cause hemorrhoids.

True. The myth of hemorrhoids caused by sitting on cold concrete or sidewalk is very popular in Asia. However, the truth is that hypothermia of the anus cannot cause hemorrhoids.

11th myth: only older people can suffer from hemorrhoids

True. When hemorrhoids weak and dilated veins of the rectum stretch and swell. In most older people, the walls of the veins become weaker, as they stretch, and thus become more susceptible to hemorrhoids.

However, an increase in pressure on rectal veins due to bad habits during bowel movements (for example, reading in the toilet or straining due to stool elimination), poor diet, lack of exercise and prolonged periods of sitting or standing at any age can lead to hemorrhoids.

trusted-source[11]

12th myth: you can not do anything to cure hemorrhoids

True. Hemorrhoids are a very common disease, it is estimated that more than half of people aged 50 suffer from the development of hemorrhoids. But it can be cured. If you apply different methods of exposure: changes in lifestyle, nutrition, motor activity and in extreme cases - surgical methods of exposure.

trusted-source[12], [13]

The 13th myth: if you get rid of constipation, then hemorrhoids will not

True. People who want to get rid of hemorrhoids are afraid of the very thought of the toilet. And so they begin to take a laxative so that the stool is softer. But at the same time they make a huge mistake, because from the liquid stool with acidic environment the sphincter is very irritated, there are spasms of it. Thus, the sphincter ring pinches hemorrhoidal lumps that hurt even more.

The 14th myth: one cannot get rid of hemorrhoids, except by surgery

True. If you interact with your doctor by understanding the causes and symptoms of hemorrhoids, you can cure this disease without surgery. For example, using sclerotherapy. This is a method in which medication is injected into hemorrhoids in order for the node to dry. At the same time, bleeding is still removed, swelling is removed, pain is eliminated - and all this with the help of laser irradiation.

With this method of exposure, wounds also heal quickly. And the person is restored after such an ambulance operation very soon.

If you have hemorrhoids, many steps can be taken to relieve pain, burning, itching and discomfort. For temporary relief, you can use foot baths and topical anesthetics. For severe cases of hemorrhoids, surgery may be the only viable solution.

You are reporting a typo in the following text:
Simply click the "Send typo report" button to complete the report. You can also include a comment.