What are piles?

Piles also known as haemorrhoids are enlarged veins situated in or around
the back passage (anus). They occur when these blood vessels become swollen in a similar way to varicose veins in the legs.

How are they caused?

Under pressure the blood vessels in and around the anus stretch. Straining
whilst on the toilet, chronic coughing and lots of heavy lifting are common
ways that pressure in the abdomen is increased and that in turn results in
increased pressure in the veins located around the anus. Pregnancy, being
overweight and childbirth can also cause piles.

Will diet improve symptoms?

Since straining on the toilet is one of the commonest reasons why piles
develop, avoiding constipation and having to strain is vital to improve
symptoms. Eating a healthy diet that contains plenty of fresh fruit, vegetables and other fibre, drinking plenty of water, keeping active and keeping stress levels under control all help the bowel to function properly.

Does sitting on cold surfaces cause piles?

No. This is a very common belief but it’s a myth. Sitting on hard or cold
surfaces may make piles feel more uncomfortable for those people who already have them but will not actually cause piles. Ignoring the urge to go to the toilet, inactivity, missing breakfast or eating on the go, however, can
cause constipation, which makes straining and consequently piles more
likely.

What can I use to ease the symptoms of piles?

IIce packs help reduce swelling and sitting in a warm bath filled with plain
water for 10 minutes several times a day will relieve symptoms too. Don’t be
over-hygienic when washing since this may cause more irritation. Try not to
sit for long periods of time since this may cause more irritation.

You can visit your pharmacist for advice on treatment to relieve pain and
irritation. Stool softeners can be used to get the bowels working properly
again and help to eliminate the need to strain.

What if they persist despite these measures?

Sometimes piles will need to be treated surgically. If your doctor advises
this then surgical treatment may involve laser heat treatment, chemical
solution injections (sclerotherapy), rubber band ligation, or surgical removal of the piles. The operation recommended depends upon whether the piles are internal or external.

What can I do to avoid getting piles again?

Make sure your diet contains plenty of fibre, drink lots of fluids and increase the amount of exercise you get. These measures will help prevent constipation, one of the main causes of piles. Check out the lifestyle section of this site - it’s packed with advice on how to avoid the problem.

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