8 Top Hemorrhoids Myths and the Truth about Treatment

Table of Contents

1. MYTH 1: Haemorrhoids are a Rare Problem
2. MYTH 2: Haemorrhoids are not Painful
3. MYTH 3: Only old People get Haemorrhoids
4. MYTH 4: Haemorrhoids are caused by Spicy Food
5. MYTH 5: Creams & Ointments can cure Haemorrhoids Permanently
6. MYTH 6: Haemorrhoids Surgery requires a long recovery time
7. MYTH 7: Haemorrhoids don’t require treatment
8. MYTH 8: The only Way to Treat Haemorrhoids is with Surgery

Haemorrhoids. They’re a fact of life for as much as half of the adult population. Few people talk about them, even fewer know how to deal with them efficiently. Haemorrhoids are swollen and inflamed veins in the anal area, usually the rectum, or lower end of the digestive tract.
The most common causes of piles are constipation, diarrhoea, incorrect method of lifting heavy weights, pregnancy, straining of the lower pelvic region when passing stools. Some of the symptoms of piles include:

• Painful and hard lumps around the anal opening.
• Inflammation, itching, and pain in areas around the anal opening.
• Visible blood marks on stools
• Pain when passing stools.

Having Haemorrhoids can be quite a painful and agonizing experience. Despite the discomfort, there are several myths about Haemorrhoids (piles) that people believe and often share with others. The problem is that a lot of these “facts” aren’t true at all. When you suffer from Haemorrhoids, you may want to know the truth about them – particularly when it comes to some of the most common Haemorrhoid myths out there. To help you get a better idea about Haemorrhoids, here are eight common myths about them (and what the truth really is).

Myth 1: Haemorrhoids are a rare problem.

On the contrary, Haemorrhoids are very common. Data from the U.S. National Institutes of Health indicates more than half the population suffers from Haemorrhoids at some point in their lives.

Myth 2: Haemorrhoids are not painful.

Wrong, Haemorrhoids can be extremely painful and may lead to surgery if they are not treated in a timely manner.

Myth 3: Only old people get Haemorrhoids.

While this is true to some extent, it’s actually young people who get Haemorrhoids more than old ones. The fact that the old don’t talk about Haemorrhoids is what makes people believe this myth.

Myth 4: Haemorrhoids are caused by spicy food.

There is no correlation between spicy food and Haemorrhoids, but spicy food can cause diarrhoea, which can affect your condition if you already have Haemorrhoids. Spicy food aggravates Haemorrhoids but does not cause them. Sitting on the toilet for a long time, lifting heavy items, obesity and pregnancy are all potential causes of Haemorrhoids.

Myth 5: Creams and ointments can cure Haemorrhoids permanently.

This is not true as creams and ointments can only provide temporary relief from Haemorrhoids until they become severe again. The only way to treat piles permanently is through an operation or with home remedies. However, these methods do take a while before they start showing positive results which is why most people prefer using ointments instead of waiting for their conditions to improve gradually.

Myth 6: Haemorrhoid surgery requires a long recovery time.

This is another false perception. Haemorrhoid surgery involves less pain and discomfort than most people think, and it is performed in a doctor’s office or on an outpatient basis. It can be done under local anaesthesia, which means you are awake during the procedure but do not feel any pain.

Myth 7: Haemorrhoids don’t require treatment.

With minor cases, you can alleviate symptoms at home by soaking in warm baths and using over-the-counter creams or ointments designed for Haemorrhoids, such as Preparation H. However, if symptoms persist or worsen, or if there is any bleeding, see your doctor immediately. While many cases of Haemorrhoids will resolve on their own, your doctor may need to remove them surgically in some instances.

Myth 8: The only way to treat Haemorrhoids is with surgery.

Haemorrhoidectomy is one surgical option for severe Haemorrhoids, but there are other less invasive options that are often successful in treating Haemorrhoids including cryotherapy (freezing), infrared photocoagulation (heat) and rubber band ligation (banding).

Haemorrhoids is one of the most common and curable problems of the anus. With proper planning and management and our help, a patient can overcome it easily. There are several misperceptions about Haemorrhoids (piles). Many people think that common activities such as eating spicy foods, riding a bike, sitting on cold benches or sidewalks, or having anal sex cause Haemorrhoids. The development of Haemorrhoids is not so simple. The real truth is – it is important for patients to have the facts about Haemorrhoids (including common Haemorrhoid myths) in order to prevent or treat the condition.

In the city of Hyderabad, Vitality’s Laser Piles Clinic is one of the best hospital for piles treatment. Equipped with the state of the art equipment and methods for the diagnosis and treatment of different types of piles, our piles specialists use their vast experience coupled with a series of tests to determine the type and severity of piles. They further suggest the treatment plan based on their diagnosis and use the most minimally invasive procedures to provide patients with relief from this painful and often embarrassing condition.

So now you know. Piles treatment is doable and you no longer have to deal with piles. And with everything being straightforward, there is hardly any reason to delay treatment at all. Give your piles the sack by setting an appointment with our team of experts today!