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Conditions

Haemorrhoids

Piles

“The Grapes of Wrath” is both a classic John Steinbeck novel and a name for haemorrhoids, which can be an uncomfortable and often painful condition. Otherwise known as piles, this is when blood vessels in and around the anus become swollen and inflamed, which is both an inconvenient and embarrassing location on the body to be affected. It is, however, a very common condition. Around 50% of people experience the condition at some time in their life, with pregnant women and the elderly most susceptible. Treatment will depend on the severity of the piles, but the symptoms may often disappear on their own after a few days.

What the Men in White Coats Say

Comments and Questions

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I'm 16 female I have a hard time going for a poo. At christmass I ate alot of liqurice and I went toilet that night and found that there was blood in my poo and it was black. My mom phoned up the NHS and they said it was black from the liqruice and the blood is from being so dry and having a pile problem(in which i had the symptoms). Im sometimes scared to go for a poo as it stings, its dry, i feel piles, and im scared the piles will burst and ill see blood again and i will worry. Sometimes i take a 2 tablespoons of laculose and bran flakes nearly everyday help soften my poo, get rid or the piles, or will it make my stomach bad with the "runs" if i have to much? Please i need help on how much i should take to take away my problems. There is no/very,very little amount blood now, But i would still love help or a cure. Thank you.





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I have been suffering with haemorrhoids intermittently over the past couple of years despite having a rather healthy diet (plenty of fresh fruit and veg), could this be linked to the fact that I have circulation problems? I have been diagnosed with Raynauds and frequently get chilblains. Thank you!





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Hi I am 26 years old and had a baby by c seaction three months ago, when I came home from hosp after the c seaction it was very painfully having a poo, three was blood and since then it is so painfully to go to the toilet been to the doctors and they give me pile cream they never looked just give me the cream and this has not worked and it is so painfully when going to the toilet but there is no blood could this be piles or something else.my bottom is very sore and itches





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hi i can not pull my foe skin back over my bellend y my dock as gave me canesten cream to help but its dune nothing for me please help me

Hi im not sure if i have piles or not Im 26 and had a baby eight yrs ago, to go to the loo n i couldnt, then i noticed i hade about 3 odd thing down there its not nice they look realy red and i have been bleddin a little bit clould u plz help me so i can find out wot they as they dnt stay outside they go bk in thank u x lulu x





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hi I have lust had surgery 1 week ago can anyone tell me how long it takes for the stitches to dissolve thanks





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Every now and then I would bleed every time I have a bowel movement, this has been happening for almost 2 years now. Also, my anus looks incredibly swollen, it doesn't look like those 'grapes of wraths' but the anal walls look much larger than normal, protruding outwards. There is no pain, only a slight sting every time I have a rough Bowel movement.





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I'm 25 and after my son was born I got a few hemorrhoids. I know what they are it's just that now-years later my bum still swells everytime I go to the bathroom. No blood, no itching and it doesn't hurt but it swells everytime. Could you help me find out what it is and aside from going to my insane doctor what can I do?





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hi im 24 weeks preganat and my doctor has told me i have virgnal piles but when i look it up there is nothing about them please help really confussed





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I'm 27 and have had 3 children every so often after going for a poo my bum bleeds quiet alot, it's bright red blood and I'm worried, it Downey happen everytime maybe 3 times a month, is it piles?





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The past year I've had bleeding occasionally when I go for a poo. The last 3 months I've had a lot more blood and more often usually every couple of week I get it again and last about a week but then everythings normal again. I have no pain or itchiness just blood. Anyone know what this could be as it only happens ocationally. Many thanks





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Hi Sarah, I can relate to this, I suffered with the same symptoms for years before going to see about it. It gradually got worse, I used to bleed for a couple of weeks then it would stop for a week then start again. I did eat a high fibre diet but nothing changed, the symptoms remained the same. I was that worried I paid to go private, the consultant said it was piles and he suggested that I try the injections, I did but they didn't work. I lived with the bleeding for a few years and it gradually got to the stage where I would bleed and not even know about it until I stood up and it would be all over the sofa. I went back to the doctors and was referred to the NHS. I was examined and was told that I had 3 haemorrhoid masses and the banding procedure was recommended. I had the banding done on 02/12/11 it was sore was the first 24 hours but I was fine after that, I felt like a new woman! On 31/12/11 I started bleeding again, really heavy, I got so depressed, I went back to the hospital and was told that I would have to have a haemorroidectomy and also a skin tag removed. On 23/04/12 I had the operation as a day case, it was straight forward and I was told that it all went well. I was given pain killers and sent home. I planned on taking no chances and I stayed in bed, it was ok at first as I was well drugged up. Two days post op I had my first bowel movement it was horrendous the pain was off the scale I would rather have another baby really!!! The hospital had given me stool softners but it was the pain passing it nothing can describe it, this went on for a few days and gradually eased. My bum felt as though it was on fire and I thought they'd left the scalpel in, by the 8th day it stopped hurting me. I rested in bed for a week as I could not sit down, it will be 2 weeks tomorrow since I had the op and I'm about 80% back to normal. I still have a tiny bit of discharge and I'm still a little tender but those few days of pain will be worth it to stop those embarrassing moments. Go and see your doctor now, don't leave it, mine got worse over time. Good luck.





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It looks like no one else has asked this question, so please fill in the rest of your details below.





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Content supplied by NHS Choices

Haemorrhoids (piles) are not considered dangerous or life threatening. In most cases, symptoms of haemorrhoids will go away naturally within a few days. Read More »

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