Haemorrhoids aren’t something that many people feel comfortable and confident talking about, yet it is a condition that impacts millions of people around the world.
As many as 10.4 million people in America alone are living with them, yet only one in three actually seeks medical assistance. Haemorrhoids, or piles as they’re commonly known, usually occur when swellings or enlarged blood vessels form in or around the anus.
While they can be extremely noticeable in some cases, many people experience discomfort around their rectum and bottom without realising that they’re actually living with piles. According to the NHS in the United Kingdom, there are still things that people can look out for – even if they aren’t noticing visible lumps on their bottoms.
While lumps certainly can hang outside the anus, other signs can include bleeding when passing stools, noticing mucus and discoloured discharges when emptying your bowels, an itchy rectum, as well as soreness, swelling and redness around the bottom.
If you are experiencing blood in your stools, it’s always important to seek medical help to ensure nothing more sinister is going on. GPS and health professionals can usually quickly identify this my examining the area. If something is wrong, they can then refer you to specialists for further treatment.
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There are a number of different things that can cause piles. If you’re experiencing constipation or severe diarrhoea, this can increase your chance of developing haemorrhoids. Similar to hernias, lifting heavy objects regularly can cause haemorrhoids to develop, while regular vomiting or coughing can also trigger them.
It can also be a regular part of the ageing process, given that supporting tissue throughout the body gradually becomes weaker. While the pain and irritation usually corrects itself within a few days, the NHS lists a number of things you can do to make living with haemorrhoids easier.
The first is to give yourself a more regular bowel movement by increasing your fibre intake. This can include increasing levels of fruit, wholegrains, vegetables, beans, seeds and nuts into your diet. It’s also important to increase your fluid levels, while reducing levels of alcohol and caffeine is also important.
While it can be easy to avoid using public bathrooms when you’re out and about, it’s also important to try and empty your bowels when you feel the urge. Failing to do so can make your stools harder to pass because they come hard and dry. The added strain to pass these stools can lead to piles developing.
It’s also important to be aware that some medications can cause constipation, so try to avoid painkillers containing codeine where possible. Weight gain can also increase the likelihood of developing haemorrhoids, so it’s important to exercise regularly to assist with this.
If making these changes doesn’t help with the problem, a health professional will be able to talk through the various options available to you and your situation.