Medical Encyclopaedia › Haemorrhoids (short definition)
In brief: Haemorrhoids are vascular cushions at the end of the rectum that everyone has and that help to seal the anus. Haemorrhoidal disease is present when these cushions are enlarged and cause symptoms.
Causes
Haemorrhoidal disease is favoured by heavy straining during bowel movements, chronic constipation, a low-fibre diet, sitting on the toilet for a long time, pregnancy and overweight. A predisposition to weak connective tissue also plays a role.
Symptoms and grades
Typical signs are bright red blood on the toilet paper, itching, weeping, burning and a foreign-body sensation. Depending on severity, four grades are distinguished – from cushions visible only internally (grade I) to permanently prolapsed nodes that can no longer be pushed back (grade IV).
Treatment
In mild stages, a high-fibre diet, drinking enough and soft stools, supported by psyllium husks, help. Ointments, suppositories and sitz baths can temporarily relieve symptoms such as itching and inflammation, but do not eliminate the haemorrhoids. In grades II and III, rubber band ligation or sclerotherapy in the doctor’s surgery are often used; for advanced findings, various surgical procedures.
Important: always have bleeding checked
Blood in the stool should always be assessed by a doctor, as other causes such as anal fissures, polyps or bowel cancer may be behind it. Suddenly occurring, very painful, bluish lumps at the anus are usually a perianal haematoma (anal vein thrombosis), which should also be assessed by a doctor.
Related terms in the encyclopaedia
Rectum, Constipation, Dietary fibre, Anal fissure, Perianal haematoma, Proctology, Colonoscopy
Sources
- Deutsche Gesellschaft für Koloproktologie (DGK): S3-Leitlinie Hämorrhoidalleiden
- IQWiG: gesundheitsinformation.de – Gesundheitsinformationen des Instituts für Qualität und Wirtschaftlichkeit im Gesundheitswesen
Note: This article is for general information and does not replace advice, diagnosis or treatment from a doctor or pharmacist. Last updated: October 2026.