Piles (haemorrhoids)

Symptoms of piles include: bright red blood after you poo an itchy anus feeling like you still need to poo after going to the toilet mucus in your underwear or on toilet paper after wiping your bottom lumps around your anus pain around your anus

Do gently push a pile back inside if you can take paracetamol if piles hurt use an ice pack wrapped in a towel to ease discomfort drink lots of fluid and eat plenty of fibre to keep your poo soft take a warm bath to ease itching and pain keep your bottom clean and dry – pat (rather than rub) it dry cut down on alcohol and caffeine (like tea, coffee and cola) to avoid constipation Don’t do not ignore the urge to poo do not push too hard when pooing do not take painkillers that contain codeine , as they can cause constipation do not take ibuprofen if your piles are bleeding do not spend more time than you need to on the toilet Ask a pharmacist about treatment for piles A pharmacist can suggest: creams to ease the pain, itching and swelling treatment – such as laxatives – to help constipation and soften poo cold packs to ease discomfort Many pharmacies have private areas if you do not want to be overheard. Find a pharmacy

If there is no improvement to your piles after home treatments, you may need hospital treatment. Talk to your doctor about the best treatment for you. Treatment does not always prevent piles coming back. Treatment without surgery Common hospital treatments include: rubber band ligation: a band is placed around your piles to make them drop off sclerotherapy: a liquid is injected into your piles to make them shrink electrotherapy: a gentle electric current is applied to your piles to make them shrink infrared coagulation: an infrared light is used to cut the blood supply to your piles to make them shrink You'll be awake for this type of treatment, but the area may be numbed. You should be able to go home on the same day. If these treatments do not work, or your piles are large, you may need surgery to remove them. Surgery Surgical treatments include: haemorrhoidectomy: your piles are cut out stapled haemorrhoidopexy: your piles are stapled back inside your anus haemorrhoidal artery ligation: stitches are used to cut the blood supply to your piles to make them shrink You will usually need to be asleep for this type of treatment. You may be able to go home on the same day as your treatment or on the following day.

Piles are swollen blood vessels. It's not clear what causes them. Things that make piles more likely: constipation pushing too hard when pooing heavy lifting pregnancy getting older being overweight