Sweetening … the pain: The role of sugar in acutely prolapsed haemorrhoids.

Haemorrhoids are considered among the most frequent proctologi-cal condition at a general practitioner (GP) practice. Acute prolapse of internal haemorrhoids is presented with oedema, inflammation and acute pain. The application of granulated sugar on swollen hae-morrhoids leads to an immediate reduction of their edema and to the patient's relief. After the topical application of sugar, haemorrhoids begin to shrink immediately and edema is drastically reduced, while haemorrhoidal tissue can easily retracted back into the anal canal. The method is a cheap, quick and painless way to control the worsening symptoms such as swelling, bleeding and irritation. In addition, this method can easily be applied in the GP practice without the necessity of any form of anaesthesia.