ADVICE TO PATIENTS WHO SUFFER FROM HAEMORRHOIDS (PILES)

Do NOT strain excessively to pass motions. Straining damages the muscles around your anus as well as promoting piles and bleeding. It is best to stop (even though you have a feeling of fullness in the rectum) and go back to the toilet later.

After a bowel action clean your bottom gently with soft paper or cotton wool. Dab rather than rub. If possible wash your bottom with lukewarm water in a bidet or bath but ensure that you dry the whole area thoroughly.

Take a high residue diet, e.g. wholemeal bread and cereals. The best way to ensure this is to take Natural Bran, which can be obtained from Boots Chemists, Health Food shops and some other food stores, such as Safeway and Sainsburys. Take 3 tablespoonfuls (i.e. large spoonfuls) every day. Natural Bran is very dry and should be taken mixed with or sprinkled over moist foods or fluids. For example, sprinkle 3 tablespoonfuls over your cornflakes and milk or porridge during your breakfast. You should drink plenty of fluids when taking Natural Bran. To supplement your high residue diet, eat wholemeal bread, (e.g. Allinson’s Stoneground) instead of white bread. If you are constipated & the above measures have not helped; in addition take the medication Lactulose (which can be obtained without prescription) up to 10mls (2 teaspoonfuls) 3 times a day.

You may have had your piles "injected" in the clinic. The purpose of this is to "shrink" your piles.

Following the injection, you may have a feeling of slight fullness or discomfort in your bottom lasting about 24 hours or so. To minimise this, if at all possible, you should rest for the remainder of the day, preferably lying down rather than sitting or standing. It may take a few days or sometimes a week for the benefit to become apparent. After injection a few balls of cotton wool are left inside your anus. This does not cause any harm and you will pass them when you have a bowel action.