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.