What are piles?

Piles or hemorrhoids is a condition that affects the lower rectum or the outer part of the anus. Piles bring with it pain and discomfort during a bowel movement. The main causes of piles are diarrhea and constipation.

Can you have piles and not know it?

Sometimes there are no symptoms and may not realise that you have any piles. The most common piles symptom is bleeding after going to the toilet to pass stools (faeces). The blood is usually bright red and may be noticed on the toilet tissue, in the toilet pan or coating the stools.

What should I do if I think I have piles?

If you think that you may have piles, or have bleeding or pain from your back passage (anal canal), you should visit your doctor. Piles are usually diagnosed after your doctor asks you questions about your symptoms and performs a physical examination. The examination usually includes an examination of your back passage.

How painful are internal piles?

Banding of internal piles is usually painless, as the base of the haemorrhoid originates above the anal opening in the very last part of the gut where the gut lining is not sensitive to pain. In about 8 in 10 cases, the piles are cured by this technique. In about 2 in 10 cases, the piles come back at some stage.