what is piles

Piles, also known as hemorrhoids, are swollen veins in the anus and lower rectum. They can develop inside the rectum (internal hemorrhoids) or under the skin around the anus (external hemorrhoids) . Piles can be caused by a variety of factors, including straining during bowel movements due to constipation or diarrhea, weakening of the supporting tissues in the anus and rectum due to aging or pregnancy, and frequently lifting heavy objects. Symptoms of piles include bright red blood after bowel movements, an itchy anus, feeling like you still need to go to the bathroom after having a bowel movement, mucus in your underwear or on toilet paper after wiping your bottom, lumps around your anus, and pain around your anus. Piles can often be treated and prevented by drinking lots of fluids and eating plenty of fiber to keep your stool soft, wiping your bottom with damp toilet paper, taking paracetamol if piles hurt, and taking a warm bath to ease itching and pain. If you have symptoms of piles, its important to see your GP for diagnosis and treatment.