What are Hemorrhoids?

Everyone has hemorrhoids. Everyone. They are a normal and functional part of your anatomy Problems start when they get too big, irritated, or pushed downward. Hemorrhoids are not a disease you “catch.” But they can sure feel like one.

What Are Hemorrhoids?

Hemorrhoids are soft cushions made of blood vessels and support tissue inside the anal canal. They help keep the anus closed and prevent leaks.

There are two types, based on where they sit:

Internal Hemorrhoids

• Located inside the rectum

• Usually don’t hurt

• Common symptom: bright red bleeding

• Can bulge out (prolapse) during bowel movements

External Hemorrhoids

• Located around the anus

• Have pain-sensing nerves

• Can be painful, itchy, or swollen

• Can form blood clots (thrombosed hemorrhoids)

Why Do Hemorrhoids Become a Problem?

Hemorrhoids act up when there’s too much pressure or when the tissue holding them in place gets weak.

Common causes include:

• Straining to poop

• Constipation or frequent diarrhea

• Sitting on the toilet for a long time

• Low-fiber diet

• Pregnancy

• Obesity

• Heavy lifting

• Getting older (support tissues naturally weaken)

How to Prevent Hemorrhoids

Over time, pressure pushes the hemorrhoids downward, and they can swell or stick out. Prevention is mostly about protecting the tissue and lowering this pressure.

Bathroom habits

• Don’t strain

• Don’t sit on the toilet scrolling for 20 minutes

• Go when you feel the urge. Don’t hold it

Diet & hydration

• Eat more fiber (fruits, vegetables, whole grains)

• Drink enough water to keep stools soft

Body mechanics

• Use a foot stool to elevate your feet when pooping

• Stay active to keep bowels moving

Basic Treatments (Most Cases Improve Here)

Most hemorrhoids improve without surgery.

At-home care

• Fiber supplements

• Drinking more water

• Warm sitz baths (pictured below)

• Over-the-counter creams or wipes (short-term use)

These help by reducing swelling and irritation, not by “curing” the hemorrhoid.

Medical Treatments (When Home Care Isn’t Enough)

Office procedures

• Rubber band ligation: cuts off blood flow so the hemorrhoid shrinks (pictured below)

• Sclerotherapy: injection that makes the vein collapse

• Heat or infrared therapy: seals off swollen vessels

Surgery (severe cases)

• Full removal of hemorrhoids

• Usually reserved for large, painful, or constantly prolapsing hemorrhoids

The Sugar Trick

Yes, this is real, and yes, it is a little weird.

What people do

They apply plain table sugar to a prolapsed internal hemorrhoid that has slipped outside the anus.

Why it works

Sugar pulls water out of tissue. This is called osmosis.

What happens:

1. Sugar draws fluid out of the swollen hemorrhoid

2. The hemorrhoid shrinks

3. Once smaller, it can slide back inside

4. Inside the body, pressure drops and pain improves

Important warnings

• Works only for internal hemorrhoids that have popped out

• Will not help external or clotted hemorrhoids

• This is a temporary fix, not a cure

• If there’s severe pain, dark tissue, fever, or heavy bleeding → see a doctor

Thank you to Michael Page for asking this question. And thank you all for being part of the Secret Classroom. I cannot express how much your presence and your support means to me.