Some people with haemorrhoids are reluctant to see their GP. Your GP can diagnose haemorrhoids (piles) by examining your back passage to check for swollen blood vessels. Read more about treating haemorrhoids and surgery for haemorrhoids. Surgery carried out under general anaesthetic (where you're unconscious) is sometimes used to remove or shrink large or external haemorrhoids. The haemorrhoid should fall off after about a week. One of these options is banding, which is a non-surgical procedure where a very tight elastic band is put around the base of the haemorrhoid to cut off its blood supply. There are various treatment options for more severe haemorrhoids. Medication that you apply directly to your back passage (known as topical treatments) or tablets bought from a pharmacy or prescribed by your GP may ease your symptoms and make it easier for you to pass stools. These measures can also reduce the risk of haemorrhoids returning, or even developing in the first place. exercising regularly – can help prevent constipation, reduce your blood pressure and help you lose weight.avoiding medication that causes constipation – such as painkillers that contain codeine.not delaying going to the toilet – ignoring the urge to empty your bowels can make your stools harder and drier, which can lead to straining when you do go to the toilet.drinking plenty of fluid – particularly water, but avoiding or cutting down on caffeine and alcohol.gradually increasing the amount of fibre in your diet – good sources of fibre include fruit, vegetables, wholegrain rice, wholewheat pasta and bread, pulses and beans, seeds, nuts and oats.However, making lifestyle changes to reduce the strain on the blood vessels in and around your anus is often recommended. Haemorrhoids that occur during pregnancy often get better after giving birth. Haemorrhoid symptoms often settle down after a few days, without needing treatment. a persistent cough or repeated vomiting.having a family history of haemorrhoids.being pregnant – which can place increased pressure on your pelvic blood vessels, causing them to enlarge (read more about common pregnancy problems).age – as you get older, your body's supporting tissues get weaker, increasing your risk of haemorrhoids.Other factors that might increase your risk of developing haemorrhoids include: Chronic (long-term) diarrhoea can also make you more vulnerable to getting haemorrhoids. Many cases are thought to be caused by too much straining on the toilet, due to prolonged constipation – this is often due to a lack of fibre in a person's diet. This pressure can cause the blood vessels in your back passage to become swollen and inflamed. The exact cause of haemorrhoids is unclear, but they're associated with increased pressure in the blood vessels in and around your anus. However, there’s no need to be embarrassed, because GPs are very used to diagnosing and treating haemorrhoids.
Your GP can often diagnose haemorrhoids using a simple internal examination of your back passage, although they may need to refer you to a colorectal specialist for diagnosis and treatment. However, speak to your GP if your symptoms don't get better or if you experience pain or bleeding. The symptoms of haemorrhoids often clear up on their own or with simple treatments that can be bought from a pharmacy without a prescription (see below). You should always get any rectal bleeding checked out, so your doctor can rule out more potentially serious causes. See your GP if you have persistent or severe symptoms of haemorrhoids. Haemorrhoids aren't usually painful, unless their blood supply slows down or is interrupted.
Haemorrhoids, also known as piles, are swellings containing enlarged blood vessels that are found inside or around the bottom (the rectum and anus).