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Piles are a common problem for men and women in the UK, affecting an estimated 25 per cent of the population at any age. However, they can also be one of the most painful and undignified afflictions from which to suffer. Since piles are so common, many people do not visit their GP when they occur. However, if you feel that you may have piles - for example, if you notice blood in the toilet bowl or on toilet paper after a bowel movement - it's important to consult your doctor as soon as you can so that they can give you advice on how to treat the condition and prevent it from worsening.
Before you visit your doctor, try to establish whether your symptoms suggest you have piles (sometimes called haemorrhoids) or if you simply have a small cut in the anus area. As well as the presence of blood, you may see a lump on your anal area, experience a slimy mucus discharge, itchiness, swelling and discomfort if you have a bowel movement. Don't simply wait for these symptoms to disappear on their own. A visit to your GP should help you establish the exact problem fairly quickly, and you may have to undergo a rectal examination or, in some cases, a colonoscopy.
While the exact cause of piles isn't known, certain physical and lifestyle factors are thought to be a major influence. A low-fibre diet or constipation, for instance, may increase the likelihood of developing piles, as will a family history of the disease. Pregnant women are also at a higher risk of developing piles, but these symptoms often reduce or go away completely after birth. If you feel you may be at risk of piles due to pregnancy or your family medical history, make sure your diet is high in fibre-rich foods, such as wholegrain cereals (brown rice, wholemeal bread and pasta), as well as fruit, vegetables and plenty of fluids.
There is no cure for piles but the affliction can be treated through an array of medicines and non-surgical procedures. Common medicine prescribed by GPs are soothing creams and ointments, some of which contain a local anaesthetic to ease the pain in the anal area. If your bowel movements are hard or infrequent, your doctor may recommend a fibre supplement like ispaghula husk or a mild laxative.
Alternatively, you may have to undergo banding, a process through which an elastic band is inserted above the pile in order to cut off blood supply. Eventually the pile will die and fall off. Sclerotherapy, on the other hand, injects the piles with an oily solution so that they shrivel up. In more extreme cases, piles may be surgically removed through conventional haemorrhoidectomy or stapled haemorrhoidopexy. Surgery is almost never recommended for pregnant women with piles, however, as they will usually disappear after the baby is born.
The author of this article is a part of a digital blogging team who work with brands like Bupa. The contents of this article are of a general nature only and do not constitute specific advice. This article does not take into account your circumstances or needs and must not be relied upon in place of appropriate professional advice.
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piles, haemorrhoids, piles treatment, piles prevention, piles symptoms, banding, sclerotherapy, haemorrhoidectomy, stapled haemorrhoidopexy,
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