Haemorrhoids
Haemorrhoids, or piles, are swellings of the haemorrhoidal vessels which lie above the external anal sphincter. They become enlarged following irritation by the passage of a constipated stool, because of an increase in abdominal pressure as happens, for example, during pregnancy, or, more rarely, following a bout of diarrhoea. First degree haemorrhoids remain within the anal canal and produce symptoms of irritation, anal discharge and possibly bright rectal bleeding, second degree haemorrhoids prolapse and appear at the anal margin during defaecation, while third degree haemorrhoids are large and always present outside the anus, causing pain and discomfort as well as bleeding. While first and second degree piles may respond to dietary treatment and topical agents applied by suppository or creams, larger and more troublesome haemorrhoids may require further intervention.
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