Piles, or haemorrhoids, are caused when there's pressure on the spongy lining of the anus. This pressure is often created when straining to open the bowels, or when someone is overweight, and it causes pads of tissue normally found inside the anal canal to protrude.

For men, constipation, and the legendary sitting on the toilet for hours reading books and magazines, are the usual culprits.

Symptoms include itchy, sore lumps around the anus (pads of tissue that protrude) and, more disturbingly, blood on the toilet paper or in the bowl. This occurs because the delicate tissue, which is full of blood vessels, can easily be grazed and start to bleed. Sometimes no lump can be felt, as the piles can retract back into the anal canal.

Prevention

Piles can be avoided by eating a high-fibre diet (breakfast cereals, wholemeal bread, plenty of fruit and vegetables) and drinking at least eight glasses of water a day. Caffeine dehydrates the body, so decaffeinated teas and coffees are better.

It's also important not to ignore the need to open the bowels when you feel the need, as this can contribute to constipation. Inactivity is another cause of constipation, and therefore piles, so get up and move about.

Relief

The symptoms of piles can be eased with cream, ointment or suppositories, available from your pharmacist without prescription.

If piles persist despite an alteration in lifestyle habits and self-help treatments, see your GP again, as sometimes they need to be injected or surgically removed.