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What are haemorrhoids?
Haemorrhoids (most commonly known as 'piles') are enlarged blood vessels, either inside or outside your back passage. The blood vessels become enlarged when subjected to pressure, for example when straining with constipation or during childbirth.

Who suffers from haemorrhoids?
Nearly everyone at some stage of their life will suffer from haemorrhoids. They can be particularly common among pregnant women, because the pressure of the baby, as well as hormonal changes, can cause the blood vessels to enlarge.
Other times when you may be sensitive to haemorrhoids can be if you are overweight, constipated or elderly. Standing or sitting for long periods can also be a cause. Fortunately haemorrhoids are usually a minor and temporary inconvenience.
However, if they cause persistent symptoms your doctor should be able to offer advice and medication to help.

What are the symptoms?
The main symptoms are swelling and irritation, in or around your back passage, they are painful and sometimes there is bleeding when you pass a stool.
Internal haemorrhoids usually cause less severe symptoms. They cannot ordinarily be seen or touched, but can cause pain and bleeding when going to the toilet. Fresh, bright red blood on the toilet paper is a sign of an internal haemorrhoid.
External haemorrhoids tend to be more uncomfortable and are more troublesome. These too can bleed, usually when rubbed by toilet paper or tight fitting underwear.
Sometimes a blood clot can form into a haemorrhoid (thrombosed piles). This will feel like a painful lump, about the size of a grape, sticking out through your back passage.

Should I see a doctor?
As previously stated, in most cases haemorrhoids are nothing more than a temporary problem. If they are uncomfortable you may want to ask your pharmacist for a haemorrhoid cream, ointment or suppository (tablets that you push gently up inside your back passage). You can also take steps to reduce the chance of a recurrence (see below). If you notice dark blood mixed with your stools, experience pain or suffer excessive irritation or mucus leakage, you should book an appointment with your doctor.
Your doctor will examine you and may want to feel inside your back passage. Although this may seem embarrassing, it is very important to exclude any serious illnesses such as cancer.

How are haemorrhoids treated?
Most haemorrhoids get better within a few days without any specific treatment. Simple measures such as bathing in warm water, applying ice packs, applying a haemorrhoid cream or ointment, or using a suppository obtained from your pharmacist can relieve some of the discomfort.
For serious or prolonged irritation it may be necessary for a treatment to be prescribed by your doctor. Prescribed creams or ointments are highly effective and often contain a combination of local anaesthetic and a steroid to treat pain, inflammation and itching. You should use your treatment as directed by your doctor and book another appointment if your symptoms last for more than seven days.
Your doctor may refer you to hospital for treatment if you do not respond to treatment or suffer from recurring haemorrhoids. The haemorrhoids can usually be treated by a doctor in the hospital's outpatient department.
The most common treatments can include placing a rubber band around the haemorrhoid cutting off the circulation so it withers away, or an injection of a chemical to shrink it (sclerotherapy). Only really difficult or severe cases will require surgery.

We will add to this page, depending on feedback from our patients. We regret that we cannot answer individual or personal questions online.

The information contained on this site is general information which is not in any way intended to replace the specific advice that patients may obtain from their own doctor about individual care.