Haemorrhoids (also called piles) refer to swollen and inflamed veins in your rectum or anus. They appear as swellings that contain enlarged blood vessels which are located inside or around the rectum and anus. You may have either have an internal haemorrhoid, which lies far enough inside the rectum that you may not feel or see, or external haemorrhoids, which lie within the anus and prolapses on the outside (usually while passing a stool).

Piles is caused by an increased pressure in your lower rectum. This may be due to a number of factors, such as straining during bowel movements, sitting or long periods of time and chronic constipation or diarrhoea.

When to seek expert advise

The symptoms of piles usually clear up on their own. However, you should visit a doctor if there is blood in your stool so that he can rule out other causes of blood in stools.

Some people are hesitant or embarrassed about visiting their doctor about anal problems. However there is no reason to be ashamed about seeking help with piles, as doctors are trained and used to treatment them. The doctors working with the Section of Gastroenterology at The Aga Khan University Hospital will do their best to make the process as comfortable for you as possible.

Disclaimer

The information provided on our website is for educational purposes and not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. You should always seek the advice of your doctor or other healthcare professional provider.