Haemorrhoids: Aetiology to Management

The definition of “haemorrhoids” and the epidemiology of these conditions have long been contentious. Unfortunately, we still do not understand the full scope of this phenomenon despite years of studies, discussions, and pathogenetic theories. The ancient Greek words “haema,” which means blood, and “rhoos,” which means flow, are where the name “haemorrhoid” is derived from. The word “piles,” which is derived from the Latin word “pila,” which means anal swelling (round mass), is another term for haemorrhoids. Since the birth of English physician John of Arderne (1307 AD), when haemorrhoids were typically referred to as piles, the term “piles” has become widely used. Haemorrhoids are still used to refer to piles with mass rather than haemorrhagic (bleeding) piles. One of the most common disorders affecting adults in industrialized nations is haemorrhoids. According to published statistics, 60–70% of those over the age of 40 experience haemorrhoid symptoms. In the hierarchy of coloproctological illnesses, haemorrhoids make up roughly 40%. Coloproctologists have already firmly incorporated minimally invasive treatments for haemorrhoids into their routine care in recent years. These treatments have a variety of benefits over surgical approaches, including the capacity to be used as outpatient procedures without causing any impairment, high efficacy in the early stages of the disease, and few complications. Internal and external haemorrhoids are two different types of haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoids may be caused by a low-fibre diet, constipation, prolonged pushing, pregnancy, and obesity. The diagnosis of haemorrhoids must be made after a thorough review of the patient’s medical history, physical examination, and further evaluation. The treatment for haemorrhoids, which includes both medication and surgical options, is dependent on how severe the condition is. In this chapter, we attempt to cover everything from aetiology to the management of haemorrhoids.