£3.29
Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are enlarged and swollen blood vessels in or around the lower rectum and back passage (anus). When the pressure inside these blood vessels is increased, they swell and form small lumps. Increased pressure is often caused by straining when trying to pass a stool.
Treat Discreet offers a range of effective treatments that you can only usually buy from your chemist.
Treat Discreet offers a range of effective treatments that you can only usually buy from your chemist.
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Anusol Plus HC ointment 15g£4.89 -
Anusol Plus HC suppositories 12 pack£4.89£3.29
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Anusol cream 43g£5.29£3.79
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Anusol suppositories 24 pack£5.49£4.29
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Germoloids dual action cream 55g£5.79£4.99
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Germoloids dual action ointment 55ml£5.49£4.49
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Germoloids HC spray 30ml£6.59£5.29
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Preparation 'H' gel 50g£5.49£4.49
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Hemocane Cream 25g£3.99£3.09
Haemorrhoids (piles) are not considered dangerous or life threatening. In most cases, symptoms of haemorrhoids will go away naturally within a few days.
The majority of people may not even realise they have haemorrhoids as they don't experience any symptoms.
The symptoms of haemorrhoids include:
- itchiness around your anus,
- discomfort around your anus, such as feeling sore or it being visibly red,
- excessive straining when passing a stool,
- bleeding after you have passed a stool,
- discharge of mucus present after passing a stool,
- pain while passing a stool, and
- feeling like your bowels are still full and need emptying.
You may also get a hard lump around your anus. This lump is made up of blood clots forming in a small area (known as a thrombosed external haemorrhoid) and can become very painful.
You should consult your GP if you have blood or mucus in your stools as this can be a sign of another health condition.
The majority of people may not even realise they have haemorrhoids as they don't experience any symptoms.
The symptoms of haemorrhoids include:
- itchiness around your anus,
- discomfort around your anus, such as feeling sore or it being visibly red,
- excessive straining when passing a stool,
- bleeding after you have passed a stool,
- discharge of mucus present after passing a stool,
- pain while passing a stool, and
- feeling like your bowels are still full and need emptying.
You may also get a hard lump around your anus. This lump is made up of blood clots forming in a small area (known as a thrombosed external haemorrhoid) and can become very painful.
You should consult your GP if you have blood or mucus in your stools as this can be a sign of another health condition.
Haemorrhoids occur due to an increase pressure in the blood vessels in your anus (back passage) and rectum (end of the large bowel).
This is often because of straining when trying to pass a stool. The blood vessels in and around your anus become swollen and inflamed.
Others factors that can increase your chances of having haemorrhoids include:
- being overweight,
- being constipated on a regular basis - often due to a lack of fibre in your diet,
- prolonged diarrhoea,
- regularly lifting heavy objects,
- pregnancy - where you experience increased abdominal pressure on your pelvic blood vessel, causing your blood vessels to enlarge (the haemorrhoids often disappear after giving birth), and
- if you are over the age of 50.
This is often because of straining when trying to pass a stool. The blood vessels in and around your anus become swollen and inflamed.
Others factors that can increase your chances of having haemorrhoids include:
- being overweight,
- being constipated on a regular basis - often due to a lack of fibre in your diet,
- prolonged diarrhoea,
- regularly lifting heavy objects,
- pregnancy - where you experience increased abdominal pressure on your pelvic blood vessel, causing your blood vessels to enlarge (the haemorrhoids often disappear after giving birth), and
- if you are over the age of 50.
Haemorrhoids (piles) are easily diagnosed by your GP. They will examine your anus to check for swollen blood vessels.
It's important to inform your GP of the following information:
- Have you recently lost a lot of weight?
- Have your bowel movements changed?
- What colour are your stools?
- Do your stools contain any blood?
- Is there mucus present in your stools?
If your haemorrhoids are internal, your GP may perform a digital rectal examination. Wearing gloves and using lubricant, they will use their finger to feel for any internal abnormalities.
If a closer examination is necessary, your GP may use an anoscope. This is a hollow tube fitted with a light on the end. An anoscope makes it possible for your GP to see your entire anal canal. It also allows your GP to take a small tissue sample from inside your rectum, if laboratory tests need to be carried out.
It is important to see your GP if you experience bleeding from your anus. If you are in doubt call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for advice.
It's important to inform your GP of the following information:
- Have you recently lost a lot of weight?
- Have your bowel movements changed?
- What colour are your stools?
- Do your stools contain any blood?
- Is there mucus present in your stools?
If your haemorrhoids are internal, your GP may perform a digital rectal examination. Wearing gloves and using lubricant, they will use their finger to feel for any internal abnormalities.
If a closer examination is necessary, your GP may use an anoscope. This is a hollow tube fitted with a light on the end. An anoscope makes it possible for your GP to see your entire anal canal. It also allows your GP to take a small tissue sample from inside your rectum, if laboratory tests need to be carried out.
It is important to see your GP if you experience bleeding from your anus. If you are in doubt call NHS Direct on 0845 46 47 for advice.
Over-the-counter creams and medicines can be used to sooth any inflammation around your anus are available from Treat Discreet without a prescription. For example, Anusol, Preparation H and Germoloids can all be used to treat haemorrhoids.
There's no guaranteed way of preventing haemorrhoids, but a high-fibre diet will help keep your stools (faeces) soft, reducing your risk of becoming constipated. This will ensure that you avoid straining to pass a stool, which is the primary cause of haemorrhoids.
It's also recommended that you empty your bowels as and when you need to. By delaying when you pass your stool, this could mean the stool becomes harder and drier. As a result, this increases the likelihood of pressure building up in your anus and rectum blood vessels.
General recommendations include:
- Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day).
- Cutting down on fat (particularly animal fat), sugary food, and refined and processed food.
- Eating plenty of pulses such as peas, beans and lentils.
- Eating plenty of wholegrain foods such as wholemeal bread, pasta and breakfast cereals.
- Drinking plenty of fluid. You should drink one to two litres (six to eight glasses) of water every day in order to keep your faeces soft.
- Drinking alcohol in moderation.
- Losing weight - being overweight can be a contributing factor to having haemorrhoids.
- Exercising regularly - this can prevent constipation, reduce the pressure in your blood vessels, and help you lose weight.
- Avoiding medication that causes constipation - such as painkillers that contain codeine.
It's also recommended that you empty your bowels as and when you need to. By delaying when you pass your stool, this could mean the stool becomes harder and drier. As a result, this increases the likelihood of pressure building up in your anus and rectum blood vessels.
General recommendations include:
- Eating plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables (at least five portions a day).
- Cutting down on fat (particularly animal fat), sugary food, and refined and processed food.
- Eating plenty of pulses such as peas, beans and lentils.
- Eating plenty of wholegrain foods such as wholemeal bread, pasta and breakfast cereals.
- Drinking plenty of fluid. You should drink one to two litres (six to eight glasses) of water every day in order to keep your faeces soft.
- Drinking alcohol in moderation.
- Losing weight - being overweight can be a contributing factor to having haemorrhoids.
- Exercising regularly - this can prevent constipation, reduce the pressure in your blood vessels, and help you lose weight.
- Avoiding medication that causes constipation - such as painkillers that contain codeine.
