Haemorrhoids/Piles

Haemorrhoids/Piles

Haemorrhoids (or piles) are enlarged blood vessels inside or around the bottom (anus and lower rectum).

How are they caused?

  • Poor diet (lack of fibre intake)
  • Constipation, therefore excessive straining on the toilet
  • Being overweight/obese
  • Regular lifting of heavy objects
  • Persistent vomiting or cough
  • Long periods of sitting down
  • Age – as you get older your body’s supporting tissues get weaker
  • Pregnancy can increase pressure on pelvic blood vessels
  • Family history

What are the symptoms?

  • Redness, soreness and swelling around the back passage
  • Itchy bottom
  • Bleeding or discharge from the anus
  • Lumps hanging down outside of the back passage

Treatment options

  • Rafaelo – find out more by clicking here
  • HALO –  click here to find out more
  • Banding – a tight elastic band will be placed around your haemorrhoids, cutting off their blood supply. The procedure only takes a few minutes and isn’t painful. The haemorrhoids should then fall off within a week of treatment. 
  • Open haemorrhoidectomy – this involves cutting out the haemorrhoids by gently opening the anus.

Useful Resources