Haemorrhoids

What are Haemorrhoids?

Haemorrhoids (piles) are enlarged blood vessels which can occur in the rectum and anus. They can lead to swelling and a feeling of a lump in the bottom which can cause also bleed and be painful. Rectal bleeding is an important sign and should always be discussed with your doctor.

Haemorrhoids can sometimes be diagnosed with clinical examination but lower gastrointestinal endoscopy is usually the best test to initially diagnose the presence of haemorrhoids. If presenting with rectal bleeding, lower gastrointestinal endoscopy is usually required to check for any serious bowel disease (e.g. Cancer) and diagnose haemorrhoids.

Treatment options include dietary advice and topical creams for haemorrhoids. Sometimes, surgery is required to treat haemorrhoids that are large or do not respond to medical treatment.

If you are worried about haemorrhoids, you can book a consultation with Dr Goel to discuss investigation and treatment options best suited to you.