Q: Hi doc I am from Kenya. I had a 3° hemorrhoid removed .I had been suffering from the hemorrhoid for the last 7 years. Now that it has been removed I am sore, going to the toilet is a nightmare that I dread. Could you please give me some tips on how to ease the pain?

A: Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swollen veins in the anal canal. They can be internal, external or both internal and external can co-exist. Internal haemorrhoids occur when veins swell within the rectum and external haemorrhoids are found under the skin around the anus.

These haemorrhoids develop when there is undue pressure in the pelvic and anal area as can occur when people strain to pass faeces (if they have diarrhoea or are constipated), in pregnancy (especially the last 6 months), in obese people, people who eat diets low in fibre and…