Some medicines, such as those that contain codeine, may also cause constipation. If you think your medicine may be affecting you in this way, ask your pharmacist for advice. As a short-term measure, you could use a laxative to treat constipation. Different laxatives work in different ways and your pharmacist will be able to recommend the best form of treatment to suit you. These swollen veins are what we know as piles.
Piles can be very uncomfortable - they're often painful and itchy, and they can sometimes bleed.
If your piles are the result of constipation try making some changes to your diet to treat this, and you may well find that your pile problem resolves itself too. There are creams, ointments and suppositories available to help soothe painful or itchy piles. There are many products to choose from. Some of the products contain hydrocortisone which can help to reduce swelling and inflammation, but these must not be used for longer than five to seven days and they're not suitable for everyone. Your pharmacist can help you choose an effective treatment.