Tom Piles, or haemorrhoids, are caused when there's a pressure on the spongy lining of the anus. This pressure is often created when straining to open the bowels, or when someone is overweight. For men, constipation, or the legendary sitting on the toilet for hours reading books and magazines are the usual pressure causing culprits. Itching or soreness around the anus, or more frightening, finding blood on the toilet paper or in the bowl, are symptoms experienced with piles. Sometimes a lump can be felt whilst cleaning yourself.
Caffeine dehydrates the body so de-caffeinated tea and coffee is better.
It's also important not to ignore the call to go and open the bowels when you feel it as this contributes to constipation. Inactivity is another cause of constipation, and therefore piles, so get up and move about. The symptoms of piles can be eased with cream, ointment, or suppositories, which are available from the pharmacist without a prescription. If piles persist despite an alteration in lifestyle habits and using these treatments, then you should see your GP again, as they sometimes need to be injected or surgically removed. May 2000 Visit our extensive Ask the Doctor library of all previously asked questions and answers covering a wide range of topics.