There are internal piles and external, or prolapsed haemorrhoids. Internal haemorrhoids happen high up in the rectum and sometimes the only symptom you may notice is some bright red blood on the stool, or in the toilet. It is when they prolapse they can become problematic.



Some prolapsed haemorrhoids will only bulge out with a bowel movement and will casually go into the rectum. Some piles prolapse with a bowel movement and can be pushed back within the rectum. A prolapsed hemorrhoid that cannot be pushed back into the rectum may require surgery. These serious piles could also prolapse with coughing and sneezing. They may also have a chronic mucus type discharge.

If you are fortunate, and diligent, you can treat some piles with surgery. The 1st advice is to extend the fiber in your diet. This can easily be done by taking a fiber supplement on a day basis. Boost your water intake to help in keeping your stools soft. Take a stool softener, following the makers suggestions. When you wipe do not use toilet paper, use a cotton ball or pad pre moistened with magician haze. You should purchase pre moistened pads at your local drug store. For itching you an use any of the countless over the counter hemorrhoidal preparations.

If the above suggestions don't help, your doctor may recommend hemorrhoid surgery. Small haemorrhoids can be "banded". An elastic band is placed around the base of the hemorrhoid. This band stops the blood circulation that feeds the hemorrhoid. The hemorrhoid shrivels and withers away. Some surgeons treat haemorrhoids with sclerosing agents, which do the same thing as a band.

Laser coagulation can be performed. With laser coagulation a small electrical current is applied to the hemorrhoid via a probe. This electrical current causes the blood flow to the hemorrhoid to stop, causing it to wither away.

With bigger haemorrhoids surgical removal is performed, typically with local or spinal anesthesia. After the hemorrhoid is removed gauze packing is used to help to reduce bleeding. There's usually a 4-5 day period of "down time" following this surgery.

Any rectal bleeding should be checked by your physician.