haemorrhoids

haemorrhoids

A patient discusses haemorrhoids with a doctor during a consultation.

Definition

Noun (plural, also used with a singular verb): - A medical condition characterized by swollen and inflamed veins in the rectum and anus, often causing discomfort, bleeding, and pain during bowel movements. This condition is also commonly known as piles.

Usage Examples
  • (The patient had swollen veins in the anal area.)
  • (Prolonged sitting aggravates the condition.)
  • (The medication soothed the symptoms.)
Advanced Usage
  • "Internal haemorrhoids": haemorrhoids that occur inside the rectum, usually not visible or painful but may cause bleeding.

    • Internal haemorrhoids often go unnoticed until blood appears on toilet paper. (Internal veins swell within the rectal canal.)
  • "External haemorrhoids": haemorrhoids that develop under the skin around the anus, often causing pain and swelling.

    • External haemorrhoids can be felt as a lump near the anus. (Visible or palpable swellings outside the rectum.)
  • "Thrombosed haemorrhoid": a haemorrhoid with a blood clot inside, causing severe pain and inflammation.

    • A thrombosed haemorrhoid may require surgical removal. (A clotted haemorrhoid causing acute discomfort.)
Variants and Related Words
  • Hemorrhoids (noun, plural): The American English spelling of the same condition.

    • The patient was treated for hemorrhoids. (Same meaning, different spelling.)
  • Haemorrhoidal (adjective): Relating to or affected by haemorrhoids.

    • The doctor prescribed a haemorrhoidal suppository. (A medication designed for haemorrhoids.)
Synonyms
  • Piles: An informal, common synonym for haemorrhoids.

    • He suffered from piles for years. (Piles is a lay term for haemorrhoids.)
  • Varicose veins of the rectum: A medical description emphasizing the similarity to varicose veins elsewhere in the body.

    • Haemorrhoids are essentially varicose veins in the anal region. (Swollen veins in a specific location.)
Related Idioms
  • A pain in the backside: An informal idiom (not medical) to describe something annoying, sometimes used humorously to refer to haemorrhoids.
    • This paperwork is a real pain in the backside. (Figurative annoyance, not literal.)
Phrasal Verbs
  • Flare up: To suddenly become worse or more painful (often used with medical conditions like haemorrhoids).

    • His haemorrhoids flared up after eating spicy food. (The condition worsened abruptly.)
  • Act up: To cause trouble or symptoms (informal, used for body parts or conditions).

    • My haemorrhoids are acting up again. (The symptoms are returning or worsening.)