Haemorrhoids, also known as piles are swellings which occur in or around the anus and rectum
. They are swollen blood vessels and there can be different degrees of severity of the condition. In most cases they do not cause too many problems and usually disappear relatively quickly without treatment.
They can however be more severe and some of the symptoms include:
Itchiness around the anus
Bleeding when passing stool
Pain around the anus
A discharge after passing stool
A feeling that the bowels are constantly full and need to be emptied
A prolapse this is where a pile moves down out of the anus and needs to be pushed back inside.
Piles can be caused by a number of things. Sometimes they can be a symptom of prolonged constipation. This is due to pressure on the blood vessels, from straining whilst on the toilet. The pressure causes them to swell.
Other things that can sometimes trigger piles or increase the risk of getting them are:
Being pregnant
Being overweight
Being over 50 years of age
Often with mild cases of piles the symptoms will pass within a few days however there are treatment creams and ointments available to help soothe the itchy symptoms.
There are also a number of simple steps which you can take to help prevent getting piles.
Making sure there is plenty of fibre in your diet is a must. Fibre helps to keep our bowel movements steady and constant. Good sources of fibre are things such as wholegrain bread and cereals and fruit and vegetables.
Cutting down on fat and sugary foods and eating plenty of pulses such as beans and lentils.
Drinking plenty of water is also an important measure to keep the body and bowels healthy.
If you are drinking alcohol, it must be done in moderation.
Exercising regularly can be a good way to relieve constipation and therefore prevent piles.
If the case of piles is more severe there are other options available. Banding is a process whereby a tight elastic band is put around the haemorrhoid; this then cuts off the blood supply. It will usually then fall off in the next week.
Surgical procedures are sometimes necessary to remove larger haemorrhoids that are causing a large amount of pain and discomfort. This is carried out under general anaesthetic and recovery time from the operation is usually around 2 to 3 weeks.
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms of piles it can be a good idea to visit your GP to discuss the problem.