How to get rid of and prevent piles

80% of people will experience piles at some point in their lives, due to a wide variety of reasons. Although they may be uncomfortable to deal with, they are easy to treat and manage. In this article, we will walk through what piles are, common causes of the condition, whether there are any complications that come along with it, treatment options, and how to prevent piles from happening again.

What exactly are piles?

Piles, also known as haemorrhoids, are swollen tissue based at the end of your bottom that contain enlarged blood vessels.

There are two types of haemorrhoids:

Internal

This is when swollen veins form inside your rectum and, in most cases, you can’t see or feel them.

• Prolapsed – Internal haemorrhoids can prolapse or bulge out of the anus (butthole). They may bleed or cause pain

External

This is when swollen veins form underneath the skin around your anus. They can be itchy and painful; usually you can see and feel these types of haemorrhoids.

• Thrombosed – A blood clot can form in external haemorrhoids. When this happens, it can cause a painful, purple/blue lump to form on the outside of your anus

Causes of piles

Similar to varicose veins, piles happen when the veins (either in the rectum or around the anus) become swollen and distended.

This can be caused by several reasons, including:

• Eating a low fibre diet
• Being overweight or obese
• Straining to lift heavy objects or weightlifting
• Sitting on the toilet for long periods of time
• Sitting down for long periods of time
• Straining when passing a bowel movement
• Having anal intercourse
• Pregnancy
• Chronic constipation, diarrhoea or vomiting
• A persistent cough
• Age – You are at a higher risk, the older you are
• Genetics – Sometimes, a weak rectal lining can run in families

Are there any complications?

It’s rare that haemorrhoids cause complications, but they can still happen. Issues that can arise if piles aren’t managed include:

• Anaemia – ongoing blood loss from haemorrhoids can cause anaemia to develop
• Blood clot – thrombosed haemorrhoids, although not dangerous, can cause extreme pain and sometimes need to be drained
• Strangulated haemorrhoid – if the blood supply to an internal haemorrhoid is cut off, this can cause it to become strangulated. This can cause extreme pain that will need to be treated urgently

If you notice any symptoms associated with anaemia, such as chronic fatigue, or are experiencing extreme pain in your back passage, seek medical assistance from a healthcare professional to further investigate what might be concerning you.

Treatment for piles 

In most cases, piles will go away on their own, especially if you increase the amount of fibre in your diet, regularly move around, and change your toilet habits.

If you are experiencing discomfort, you can use over the counter creams or soaking in an Epsom salt bath for 15-20 minutes each day to help ease symptoms. Other lifestyle changes you can make include drinking more water, taking laxatives (if your stool needs softening), and increasing the amount you exercise (avoid weightlifting if that has caused you to develop piles).

If over-the-counter medication and lifestyle changes are proving to be ineffective, other treatment options or surgery may be necessary.

Your doctor may recommend treatment options, such as:

• Rubber band ligation - A small band around the base of a haemorrhoid to cut off the blood supply to the vein
• Electrocoagulation - An electric current is applied to the area to stop blood flow 
• Infrared coagulation - A small probe is inserted into your rectum that releases heat to get rid of the haemorrhoid
• Sclerotherapy - A chemical solution is injected into the haemorrhoid, causing it to shrink or shrivel up

Although most haemorrhoids can be treated using lifestyle changes and non-surgical methods, around 1 in every 10 people will eventually need surgery for piles. 
If surgery is needed. Your doctor may recommend:

• Transanal hemorrhoidal dearterialization
• Haemorrhoid stapling
• Haemorrhoidectomy

How can I prevent piles from occurring?

Haemorrhoids are very common, so you can’t always prevent them from happening. However, you can take steps to help reduce your chances of developing piles.

Increase the level of fibre in your diet

Gradually adding more foods that are high in fibre to your diet is highly beneficial for helping your bowel movements pass smoothly and reducing any straining that may put pressure on your rectum.

Foods high in fibre include fruit, vegetables, pulses and beans, seeds, nuts, and oats.

Drinking plenty of fluids

Making sure you are well hydrated helps keep your stools soft and easy to pass, reducing the need to strain when going to the toilet. Water is best to drink. Avoid caffeine and alcohol, as this can negatively affect your bowel movements.

Maintaining a healthy weight

Carrying excess weight, especially around your abdomen, puts additional pressure on your pelvic area, which increases pressure on your blood vessels

Regulate your bowel movements

Don’t delay going to the toilet if you feel the urge to go. Ignoring the need to empty your bowels can make your stools harder and drier, which can lead to straining when you do go to the toilet

Exercising regularly

Making sure you move or exercise regularly can help prevent constipation, reduce your blood pressure, and help you lose weight.

Get help with Circle Health Group

At Circle Health Group, we offer a range of specialist colorectal consultations and treatment options, including treatment for piles and other digestive problems. 

If you would like to learn more about our treatment options, book your appointment online today or call a member of our team directly.